RCB continue their ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) 2025 campaign by taking on SRH. Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face each other in Match No.65 of IPL 2025 on Friday, May 23 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Notably, this game was earlier scheduled to be played in Bengaluru, but was moved to Lucknow due to adverse weather conitions in South India.
The first set of IPL 2025 challenges is done and dusted. The playoff contenders are locked in; the eliminated sides have been cast aside. Now begins the next phase, a jostle for the top two spots. Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB), among the strongest contenders, head into their penultimate league game with that in mind. The catch.. They haven’t taken the field in nearly 20 days.
They’ll have to shake off the rust against a Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH) side that has imploded more often than they’d have liked. Yet, even in a season where little has clicked, SRH have shown flashes, beating some of the tournament’s top teams on their day. With four wins from 12 games, they have little left to play for, except pride, and maybe two more consolation victories to sign off.
RCB vs SRH : Previous Performances
Rajat Patidar-led side confirmed their playoff berth after the Gujarat Titans’ victory against Delhi Capitals. Currently holding the second spot in the tally with 17 points, the 2016 finalists hope to win their remaining two games for a top-two finish and have a better chance at reaching the finals. RCB have already sealed their berth in the playoffs, but there’s a lot more at stake. If they beat the Sunrisers, not only will they reclaim their top spot in the table, but also strengthen their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
But if they lose, Gujarat Titans (GT), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will have a chance of pushing them out of the top two. RCB will also look to regain some momentum after having not played a single game since last facing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) back on May 3.
The Sunrisers, on the other hand, have nothing but pride to play for. They have been indifferent throughout with their big guns not firing enough. But they will be a little high on confidence after beating the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets in their previous game on May 19.
On the other hand, SRH were the third team to be eliminated from the season. However, the previous edition runners-up will be looking to play their final two games without any pressure and hope to spoil the party of RCB. Notably, they are coming off a win over Lucknow Super Giants.
RCB vs SRH : Head to Head
RCB and SRH have faced each other 24 times since they first met in 2013. SRH have a slender 12-11 lead with one match ending in a tie. But at neutral venues, the Sunrisers have dominated RCB with a 3-1 lead.RCB 11-13 SRH. The last five games between these sides have been edged 3-2 by RCB.
| Matches Played | 24 |
| Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 11 |
| Won by Sunrisers Hyderabad | 12 |
| Tied | 00 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-ever Fixture | April 7, 2013 |
| Most-recent Fixture | April 25, 2024 |
RCB vs SRH : Pitch conditions and weather report
The Ekana Stadium, a late replacement for this fixture after persistent rain threats in Bengaluru, has served up a mixed bag. When SRH last played here, they chased down a 200-plus total with ease. But typically, Lucknow has dished out slow, low-bounce surfaces that produce middling scores, not quite the ideal setting for two batting-heavy sides who last year played out a 287 vs 262 slugfest. Still, this unfamiliar ground could offer a different kind of contest, slower, tighter, and potentially, more intriguing.
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has been a tough pitch this season. The large dimensions of the ground make big hitting a challenge. While the average first-innings score here is just 167, teams need to aim for 180-190 to have an advantage, considering dew to come in during the second innings.
The LSG-SRH game three nights ago was played on a black-soil deck. Friday’s fixture will be played on a red-soil pitch at RCB’s preference, as they are the home team. That means more bounce and carry, and a possibility of sharp turn. RCB also have the advantage of significant intel on the venue, with Andy Flower having coached LSG for two seasons, and Krunal Pandya having played under him.
The pitch in Lucknow is expected to be decent for batting as the average score is 188 from six matches. Chasing should be the way forward as teams batting second have won five out of six times at the venue.
RCB vs SRH : Big Picture : Chance for RCB to secure Top 2 spot vs out of sorts SRH
On May 7, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) rolled into Lucknow brimming with the confidence of a rare double over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and hungry to strengthen their chances of a top-two finish. But just hours prior to their scheduled fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), they were informed that IPL 2025 was being temporarily suspended.
It has been more than two weeks since then and RCB are still searching for a game of cricket. The in-between period has seen players head home only to quickly dash back (except for Josh Hazlewood who is nursing a shoulder niggle), even as Bengaluru skies have offered a little but relentless rain.
Their home fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) that should have restarted the season last Saturday was abandoned without a ball bowled. And for three full days after that, RCB were left wondering if the Friday fixture would suffer a similar fate.
Just as all that bottled-up intensity began to find refuge at pickleball and badminton courts, RCB were informed of another late move: head to Lucknow, again. First for a “home” fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before rounding off their league phase with an “away” fixture at the same venue. RCB shouldn’t mind that, really – they’ve got a flawless away record this season.
The only difference from when RCB last came to Lucknow is that they have one more point in the kitty that has guaranteed a playoffs spot – their fifth in the last six seasons. But they are trying to scale peaks they haven’t since 2016 – the top two. For that, it could yet be possible that RCB will need to win both of their remaining games and hope Gujarat Titans (GT) or Punjab Kings (PBKS) lose at least one. They will have the advantage of knowing what they should do. Ironically, even this season, the calculators continue to torment them.
SRH haven’t had a lot of cricket themselves. They utilised the massive mid-season break, thanks to the scheduling prior to the tournament’s suspension, to dash off to the Maldives for rejuvenation. They had barely regrouped when asked to disband. Upon resumption, they put together a complete game to see off LSG three nights ago.
While SRH are already eliminated from the playoffs race, they have two more games to aim for a mid-table finish and try the combinations that could lay the foundation for 2026.
RCB vs SRH : In the spotlight : Rajat Patidar and Travis Head
Rajat Patidar‘s form had dipped significantly before the IPL took a pause, averaging just 10.6 in his last five innings, compared to 37.2 in his first five games. Heading to Lucknow, Patidar can take solace in the fact that his away form has been far more promising than his form in Bengaluru, where he has averaged just 14.4 at a strike rate of 101. Both his half-centuries have come on the road, where his strike rate is 169. While a hand injury had only added to his growing concerns, the extended break has allowed him ample time to recover.
It’s been a frustrating season for Travis Head, whose average has dropped from 40.5 in 2024 to 28.1 this year. The once-feared opening pair of Head and Abishek Sharma, dubbed Travishek, hasn’t had the same impact, with their average falling from 49.4 to 36.5. Apart from a 171-run stand in the season opener, they have struggled to make a mark. Now fully recovered from Covid, can Head rejoin Abishek to deliver a parting gift for SRH fans in the remaining games.
RCB vs SRH : Vital Stats that matters
- Kohli is one away from surpassing David Warner (62) for the most half-centuries in IPL history. Kohli comes in on the back of four consecutive 50-plus scores.
- RCB’s economy of 10.2 is the second-best among all teams in the death overs.
- Since starting the season with a century, Ishan Kishan has averaged just 13.9 and crossed 30 only twice in ten games.
- SRH have taken the least wickets by a spin unit (ten) while also having the highest economy (10) for this variety.
- Tim David’s 11 sixes are the most by a batter between overs 17-20 this season. It mirrors RCB’s death-overs scoring, which is the highest (12.4) for any team.
- RCB are unbeaten in six away games this season, although this is statistically a home game for them.
- Â SRH have conceded 19 200+ scores since 2022 – the most for any time
- Three of the five players with most sixes since the start of IPL 2024 – Virat Kohli (56), Heinrich Klaasen (52) and Abhishek Sharma (65) – will be in action tomorrow.
RCB vs SRH : Team News for RCB and SRH
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Injuries/Unavailability: Rajat Patidar is likely to be available for the clash after having sustained a hand injury before the break. Hazlewood is yet to return, but all current squad members are available. RCB will have a decision to make on their No. 3 in the wake of Devdutt Padikkal’s injury. Indications are it will be the experienced Mayank Agarwal.
Tactics & Matchups:Â In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, the mantle of leading RCB’s impressive bowling attack will have to be borne by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He’ll be up against a team he represented for 11 years until 2024. Bhuvneshwar already has one wicket (12) more than his tally from last season, despite playing six fewer games.
RCB Probable Playing XI : Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Yash Dayal
Impact Player : Suyash Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Injuries/Unavailability: Travis Head tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the game against LSG. His availability for the clash against RCB remains uncertain. Head has been declared fit and is likely to slot back into the XII. Jaydev Unadkat, who missed the previous game, has also rejoined the squad.
Tactics & Matchups:Â Even though he has played only 5 games so far, Eshan Malinga is SRH’s third highest wicket taker behind Harshal (15) and Cummins (13) and only Jaydev Unadkat boasts a better strike-rate. Five of the slinger’s nine wickets have come with the fuller length delivery.
SRH Probable Playing XI : Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins(c), Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga
Impact Player : Atharva Taide
RCB vs SRH Fantasy XI : Virat Kohli, Tim David , Rajat Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Phil Salt, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya
RCB vs SRH : Probable best players of the match
Probable Best Batter of the Match : Virat Kohli
RCB’s Virat Kohli could be the best batter in the upcoming game against SRH. With 505 runs in his last 11 games, Kohli has been in impeccable form, and his knock could be key against SRH as RCB eye a top-two finish. The 36-year-old is coming off four consecutive fifty-plus scores and will look to add another one to his tally.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match : Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins could be the best bowler in the upcoming game. With 13 wickets in his last 12 matches, Cummins has had a decent season for SRH, and he will look to give his best in his side’s final remaining games. The Aussie pacer in the previous game against LSG went wicketless but made sure to contain the opposition batters in the death overs.
RCB vs SRH : Match Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the clear favorites going into this clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). With a top-two playoff finish on the line, RCB will be highly motivated despite a 20-day break. Their balanced squad and strong form give them the edge. SRH, already out of playoff contention, may experiment with their lineup. While they have match-winners like Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma, inconsistency remains an issue. On a slower Ekana pitch, batting first and defending could be key. RCB to win and edge closer to Qualifier 1.
Scenario 1
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
- PP Score – 55-65
- SRH – 190-200
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match
Scenario 2
- Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and bowl
- PP score – 60-70
- RCB 200-210
- Sunrisers Hyderabad win the match
Also Read:RCB vs SRH : Andy Flower Unhappy Over Scheduling Of RCB Matches