SRH vs RCB: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for Dream11 IPL, Match 3

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be keen on starting with a win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Published - 20 Sept 2020, 19:53 IST | Updated - 20 Sept 2020, 19:53 IST

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The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the third game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 21st September 2020. The former is a team with a gargantuan fan-base. A team led by arguably one of the finest, fiercest and ablest players in the history of the sport. One looks at RCB and inevitably mumbles- “Ah, what a phenomenal bunch of players!”

But somehow, the campaign of “Ee sala cup namde” has reduced to a mere anthem and the team, perennial underachievers. Year after year, RCB plays and finds itself finishing exactly where it would not like. The last three seasons have seen Kohli’s team finish last, sixth, and last again.

They are extraordinarily scrutinised and only for all the right reasons. They have an ideal mix of everything a side needs: potential, names, ballast, and no dearth of talent. Despite this, not once in the 12-year history of IPL has the team managed to emboss its name on that scintillating trophy. However, RCB has become wiser over the years. In the auction for 2020, they filled quite a few gaps, spent vigilantly, retained cautiously, and ensured to build a team that has an apt blend of youth and experience.

Facing Bangalore in the clash are the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their sun has risen well over the years but despite shining bright, it has been often behind the clouds of uncertainty. There have been few teams that have appeared settled in the IPL. And yet, they do not quite have the stature like their counterparts. They have invested heavily in youth this year but have simultaneously ensured that their core unit remains unchanged.

The last occasion when these two teams played in the UAE, they had identical fates: lost three out the five encounters. However, half of a decade has passed ever since and both the teams have undergone a lot of changes. For now, both the teams will want to start their campaign on the right note.

Pitch and conditions

There has been ample grass that has been left on the track and the pacers certainly have some offerings from the surface with the new ball. However, after two games played on the same strip, it would be slightly on the slower side. Spinners will come into play during the middle overs. Dew will set in gradually as the match progresses and the team chasing will find it easier. There will be no respite from the heat.

Playing Combinations for SRH vs RCB

SRH Probable 11

SRH has one of the most potent and threatening opening combinations in the three-time Orange Cap winner David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. Their middle-order, however, appears slightly unsettled and inexperienced this year as they have backed and poured money on Priyam Garg and have also added the likes of Jammu and Kashmir sensation Abdul Samad. Manish Pandey will be the first-choice at No. 3, and that means Kane Williamson will have to be out for some time.

They have a star-studded all-rounders’ column with Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi, who had an excellent CPL, and arguably the world’s best T20 bowler Rashid Khan. In Shahbaz Nadeem, they have the third spinner. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was the leading wicket-taker for the Sunrisers for four successive years, from 2014 to 2017, will be in action alongside a left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed or pacer Siddharth Kaul.

Probable 11- David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Priyam Garg, Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad/Abhishek Sharma, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed/Siddarth Kaul, Shahbaz Nadeem.

RCB Probable 11

Parthiv Patel has not done much wrong to be axed, however, the addition of Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch at the top, and the speculations of De Villiers doing the job with the gloves, could well mean that the Karnataka southpaw Devdutt Padikkal will be the one chosen alongside Finch. The ravaging duo of Kohli and ABD has been the one for the ages, and it will be on this year as well.

The over-reliance on them has hurt RCB in the past and there are chances that the story will continue this year too, as the team does not have a proven middle-order. One amongst Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Shivam Dube should be in alongside Chris Morris. RCB has a dominating spin-based attack with Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Adam Zampa available for them. Dale Steyn or Isuru Udana will lead the pace attack alongside Navdeep Saini.

Probable 11- Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Dale Steyn/Isuru Udana.