IPL 2020 playoffs has started with a bang as Mumbai Indians won the qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals in a most convincing way. But that match was pretty much one sided as MI completely outplayed Delhi Capitals. But today's clash is expected to have a nail bitting finish as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers lock horns in eliminator challenge that is going to happen in Abu Dhabi.
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| Pic credits: Sportskeeda |
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore played really well compared to previous year as they striked a balance in the team which was absent in last year. They started the tournament with a bang and that's one of the main reason for their qualification to playoff inspite of having four consecutive loses. RCB is very determined to lift the trophy for the first time this year so they are expected to fight hard in this eliminator challenge. As SRH is top order dependent, RCB will look to break the spine of SRH batting lineup with their spin duo. Will they "play bold" today? Let's wait and see
Performance in Abu Dhabi
RCB played 5 matches in Abu Dhabi and won 2 of it.
Players to watch out for
Virat Kohli
The RCB skipper is not in his usual touch this year. He scored runs but with a low strike rate compared to his standards. Virat is a fighter. He will be in great impulse to score big and quick tonight. He has a poor record against Sandeep Sharma. Will he turn around this? Let's see.
Runs scored: 460
Strike rate: 122.01
Abraham De Villiers
De Villiers has been a saviour for RCB this year. Out of seven matches that RCB won, ABD single handedly won 4 matches for them. But he has a weakness against leg spinners. He will definitely found it difficult to play against Rashid khan which is evident in RCB's last match against SRH. Inspite of playing cricket for many years and being a legend in the game, he never won a trophy. So he will be keen to lift his first trophy.
Runs scored: 398
Strike rate: 163.78
Devdutt Padikkal
RCB was too dependent on Virat and AB last year in batting department. But this their burden was shared by this exciting youngster Padikkal. After being the leading run getter in Vijay hazare trophy, he continued his dream run in IPL. He scored a fifty against SRH in their last clash. He starts well but slowly his strike rate is decreasing as the innings progresses. So he will definitely look to get a good start and convert that start to a big score.
Runs scored: 472
Strike rate: 126.64
Yuzuvendra Chahal
RCB's leg spinning magician also proved his mettle this year. He bowled exceptionally in RCB's first clash against SRH this year where he almost broke SRH's batting spine and prevented from SRH chasing the target. He will be a great asset today. But dew factor will play a major in his bowling if RCB is defending a target as it is a night game.
Wickets taken: 20
Economy: 7.16
Washington Sundar
This year only Virat is using Sundar in a right way. He is more of a economical bowler who will be very effective in putting pressure on SRH batsmen in the powerplay. If he able to contain SRH in the powerplay, it will be a great advantage for RCB to contain them to a low score.
Wickets taken: 8
Economy: 5.77
Other key players are Chris Morris and Navdeep Saini are uncertain to play today's match due to injury concern.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad's journey is like a roller coaster in this season that is in peak while reaching the business end. They won three matches on a row and sealed their spot in top four. Net Run Rate is one of the major reason for their quailification. SRH found a new successful opening combination by promoting Wriddhiman Saha up the order and dropping Johny Bairstow. It was a gamble but it worked really well for them. SRH has one of the best bowling attacks in this season which makes the absence of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar unnoticeable. Like themselves, RCB's batting lineup is also top order dependent so they will definitely look forward to take early wickets as they did in their last match against RCB. SRH has a definite upper hand over RCB as they won a final against them. The Orange Army will try to keep the momentum with themselves in this exciting eliminator challenge.
Performance in Abu Dhabi
SRH played 4 matches in Abu Dhabi and won 1 out of it.
Players to watch out for
David Warner
David Warner is the most successful overseas player in IPL. He tried to play sensible innings in the start of the tournament but that doesn't worked for him. But he realized that and started to play his natural game in the last few games that worked extremely well for SRH. As a left hander, he will try to take on Chahal to put pressure on him. But Washington Sundar will definitely test David Warner in powerplay.
Runs scored: 529
Strike rate: 136.69
Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha came as a surprise package in the later half of the tournament. He proved his worth in their match against DC. He is a good player of spin so he will tackle Washington Sundar and Chahal better than Warner. He already hit a century in IPL final when he played for Kings XI Punjab. He will definitely look forward to have a similar knock like that today.
Unfortunately Saha misses out this Eliminator Challenge today due to injury.
Runs scored: 214
Strike rate: 139.86
Kane Williamson
This perfect gentleman is one of the major asset that SRH have in their middle order. With his experience he can anchor the innings exceptionally. At the start of the tournament he missed few matches due to injury but after his return he performed really well. But he is having a slight weakness against leg spinners so he will look to play Chahal sensibly.
Runs scored: 200
Strike rate: 135.13
Rashid Khan
This modern day great is an integral part of SRH bowling attack over these years. All over the world, batsmen find it difficult to pick his googlies and leg spins. He is a different leg spinner compared to others as he bowls fast and his action makes it difficult for batsmen to pick his deliveries. This year also he bowled exceptionally. In the last match against RCB, he made ABD to struggle and put great pressure on him which paved the way for his early breakthrough. He will be a key bowler in today's match.
Wickets taken: 19
Economy: 5.28
Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma is one of the underrated bowlers in IPL. He took 100 IPL wickets faster that Jasprit Bumrah. He can swing the ball both sides. In the last match against RCB, he made RCB's important players to return to the pavilion early. He has a great record against Virat Kohli. He took his wicket seven times. Will he get him one more time? Let's see.
Wickets taken: 13
Economy: 7.34
T Natrajan and Jason Holder are other key players for SRH. Especially Natrajan impressed everyone with his yorker bowling ability. He has the most number of yorkers in this season. On the other hand Jason Holder is an useful cricketer who take wickets regularly and he can also contribute with the bat.
Pitch report
Abu Dhabi has become a beautiful batting track in the later half of the season. Pace bowlers will have some assistance but runs from the bat will definitely come. Captains will prefer to chase in this ground because of the dew factor.
Possible matchups
- A B De Villiers and Rashid Khan
Possible upper hand: Rashid Khan
- Kane Williamson and Yuzuvendra Chahal
Possible upper hand: Yuzuvendra Chahal
- Wriddhiman Saha and Washington Sundar
Possible upper hand: Wriddhiman Saha
- David Warner and Washington Sundar
Possible upper hand: Washington Sundar
- Virat Kohli and Sandeep Sharma
Possible upper hand: Sandeep Sharma
Possible playing 11
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Philippe (wk), Virat Kohli (c), A B De Villiers, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Chris Morris, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzuvendra Chahar.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner (c), Shreewats Goswami (wk), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Jason Holder, Abdul Samad, Priyam Garg, Abishek Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Rashid Khan, T Natrajan.
Our dream 11 prediction,
AB De Villiers (c), Shreewats Goswami, Virat Kohli, David Warner (VC), Jason holder, Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Yuzuvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, T Natrajan, Washington Sundar.
Who will meet DC in qualifier 2? Let's wait and see
Mid season transfer in IPL
https://sumxas.blogspot.com/2020/10/mid-season-transfer-will-it-work-for.html?m=1.
Today's English Word
Cognizable
This means clearly identifyable.
Sentence Usage
There is cognizable spike in the snickometer so the batsman is out.
Thank you.
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