RCB vs SRH IPL ’25 | 23 May 2025, Lucknow

Introduction

Match 65 of the 2025 Indian Premier League sees Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) under the floodlights of Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. Both sides enter this fixture desperate for momentum as the playoffs loom. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, will bank on star power like Virat Kohli and overseas talents Phil Salt and Tim David. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins’s SRH has a balanced attack and explosive middle order, featuring Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen.

Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

– Capacity & Conditions: With seating for over 50,000, Ekana Stadium offers true subcontinental conditions—slow, low pitches favoring spinners in the second innings, with dew playing a late-evening factor.
– Historical Note: Known for producing high-scoring affairs, captains winning toss prefer to field first, chasing under lights.

Team Form & Key Insights

• 
  RCB have alternated results in their last five outings, showing flair in batting but occasional bowling leaks.
  
• SRH have found form intermittently, their bowlers—led by Pat Cummins and Harshal Patel—yet to find consistent rhythm.
  

Players to Watch

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Virat Kohli (Capitan, Top-order): Chasing his first IPL trophy, Kohli’s hunger and impeccable technique make him RCB’s linchpin in pressure chases.
  
• Phil Salt (Opener): The Englishman’s whirlwind starts can set the tone; a bludgeoning 40-ball fifty can seal the deal.
  
• Tim David (Finisher): His ability to clear boundaries at will grants RCB late-innings firepower.
  
• Krunal Pandya (All-rounder): Handy both with left-arm spin and middle-order slogging.
  

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Pat Cummins (Captain & Fast Bowler): Leading the attack, Cummins’s in-swingers and pace variations are crucial at the death.
  
• Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper & Left-handed Batsman): Known for audacious strokeplay, Kishan can dismantle bowling in powerplays.
  
• Heinrich Klaasen (Middle-order): Brings explosive hitting; his strike rate of over 150 can shift the momentum swiftly.
  
• Harshal Patel (Death Over Specialist): With a knack for yorkers, he’ll look to stifle RCB’s finishers.
  

Head-to-Head & Historical Context

• Recent IPL Meetings: In the last five IPL encounters, SRH have edged RCB 3–2, often prevailing in tightly contested finishes.
  
• Last Season’s Showdown: RCB chased down 180 comfortably in Bengaluru, highlighting SRH’s vulnerability on slower decks.
  

Tactical Battle

• RCB’s Strategy:
  
  • Exploit powerplay: Salt and Kohli must capitalize on field restrictions.
    
  • Spin mastery: RCB’s duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma can exploit turn on offer.
    
• SRH’s Blueprint:
  
  • Early breakthroughs: Harshal Patel and Eshan Malinga aim to dismantle RCB’s top order.
    
  • Counter-attack: Kishan and Sharma (Abhishek) will look to up the ante against seasoned spinners.
    

Prediction & What to Expect

Expect a high-scoring thriller. If dew arrives late, the team batting second will hold a decisive edge. A score around 180–200 should be defendable under lights.

• Edge in Batting: RCB, with deeper batting, may just have the upper hand if they navigate SRH’s new-ball burst.
  
• Edge in Bowling: SRH’s pace battery and middle overs spin may restrict RCB’s partnership formation.
  

Fan Verdict: Strap in for a blockbuster evening in Lucknow!