A Super Over in 2013, a last over ending in 2014, a dramatic rain-curtailed boundary-stepping thriller in 2015 and high-scoring encounters in 2016 and 2017 - Sunrisers Hyderabad versus Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has always been a highly anticipated contest in the Indian Premier League.
The moods in the two camps ahead of Monday's (May 7) clash, though, are quite contrasting. While the hosts are ruling the points table, sitting pretty atop, the other is staring at a potential elimination; bowling is a boon for one, while a bane for the other.
The Sunrisers are on a roll clutching oppositions, having recorded four successive wins, with three being on the back of their bowlers. And that, without their spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Their latest win against Delhi Daredevils was good for two reasons: Alex Hales emulating what a counter-attacking David Warner would do and Yusuf Pathan's blitz in the death when 28 were needed off 12 balls - an area they were lacking in past years. SRH have traditionally been blessed with quality bowlers. They know how to do it day in day out, so there's not much to ponder about. But batting at times, is a concern for them. Two good starts in successive games will put them at ease with an important box ticked, but it is the clicking of the middle order that they need to go their way, and quickly.
They made a conscious effort at the auction to address that same weakness, and picked up solid players for the roles who can win games on their own. Project (Manish) Pandey, that hasn't lived up to its billing, is something they would love to see succeed, while Shakib Al Hasan and Pathan are solid options for them.
In stark contrast, the Royal Challengers are in dire straits. It all starts even before the action begins. Their team selection has raised eyebrows, and questions have always been asked as to why X was preferred over Y. Unable to fathom their decision-making, some have used the term "baffling" in their expressions for them. When cricket starts, batting is their greatest strength, but their reliance on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to rally the team is evident. When they fail, RCB struggle. Brendon McCullum and Quinton de Kock have been inconsistent and Parthiv Patel straightaway proved why he should have been roped in much earlier. He is someone who mostly gives starts - a proven record in the IPL - if not score a fifty. Mandeep Singh has not converted starts and the rest have always been rotated.
Their bowling doesn't make for a pleasant chatter either. However, you have to give them a bit of a leeway; the Chinnaswamy is a tough workstation for bowlers. The dimensions are small, edges fly, mishits travel, and the Bengaluru altitude doesn't help either. So a bigger-sized ground like the one in Uppal can definitely be a little more morale-boosting as ill-timed shots could land in hands.
Umesh Yadav has been the lone spark, while Yuzvendra Chahal's not-so-great show has dented RCB badly. Kohli and Co. are left scratching their heads as to who to bowl at the death. Teams have been discounting them in this aspect of the game and they need to come up with answers. The sooner, the better.
History has suggested that this clash has generally been exciting. While SRH would quietly hope that their famed bowling line-up is put to a serious test by the star-studded RCB batting line-up to have all sorts of exposure before the play-offs, a loss could bring the curtains down on RCB's chances because 14 points may not be enough to qualify.
What: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 7, 20:00 IST
Where: Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
What to expect: The pitches this year in Hyderabad have been a little sticky, with run-scoring not being that easy. It is likely to remain the same and there is no threat of rain for Monday.
Head to Head of teams:
SRH 5 - 4 RCB (one tie)
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