IPL 2021: SRH vs RCB – Match 6, How can Royal Challengers Bangalore defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad today?

IPL 2021: SRH vs RCB – Match 6, How can Royal Challengers Bangalore defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad today?

RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will look to keep their good form going when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium today. RCB defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in their first match in a last-ball thriller and the same would give them much-needed confidence going into the second match against SRH who were defeated in their first match.

The Orange Army fell short by 10 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first game as half-centuries from Manish Pandey and Jonny Bairstow were not enough to see them chase 188. The batting order looked like a concern for SRH and they would want to address that sooner rather than later. RCB on the other hand would not want to change much as they look for a second consecutive win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woaBCm7ZLR8

On that note, we take a look at how RCB can defeat SRH today.

IPL 2021: SRH vs RCB – Key for RCB #1: Decide on the opening combination

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

RCB went with skipper Virat Kohli and strangely, Washington Sundar as the openers for their opening game. Promoting Kohli up the order was something that the skipper had already spoken on and it seemed like the right move. However, Sundar clearly struggled to middle deliveries despite his past experience with opening the batting. Rajat Patidar who was expected to open, also did not last long.

RCB would thus, want to get their opening combination right for the match against SRH, especially with the Orange Army having an excellent bowling attack. If Devdutt Padikkal is back, it would be a big boost to RCB and it would be a no-brainer to open with him and Kohli at the top.

IPL 2021: SRH vs RCB – Key for RCB #2: Strengthen batting line-up

Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell
Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell

While the usual belief would be to not change a winning combination for any team, RCB’s team in the match against MI did not seem like one that had the right balance. Washington Sundar – an established spinner, bowled just one over. Shahbaz Ahmed who was picked primarily for his bowling also bowled just 1. There were as many as 8 proper bowling options (with Glenn Maxwell not bowling) in the side and it left the batting a bit weak. Had AB de Villiers not delivered, it would have been curtains.

While the fact remains that most of RCB’s 8 bowling options can bat, a specialist batsman should always be preferred when there are so many bowling options. Dropping one of the bowling options and bringing in a batsman might as well be the perfect team for RCB to go with.

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