Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers IPL Tips: RCB to start campaign with a win

Click here Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Saturday 28 March,14.00
TV: Sky Sports

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team news

Bangalore are the defending champions and their first task will be to work out how best to fit Jacob Bethell into the XI. His brillaint century in the T20 World Cup semi against India was timely in the context of the tournament because RCB coould have made a case for leaving him out following an underwhelming debut campaign.

Bethell played just two matches but all that is probably forgotten. He should slot in at No 3 meaning one of Tim David or Romario Shepherd will miss out given that Phil Salt is a fixture. There is no Josh Hazlewood due to fitness while Nuwan Thushara has been denied a NOC by Sri Lanka. Yash Dayal is also injured but Jacob Duffy is a handy new signing to boost depleted pace stocks.

Possible XI: Kohli, Salt, Bethell, Patidar, Paddikal (sub Suyash Sharma), Jitesh, David, Venkatesh, Krunal, Kumar, Duffy

Sunrisers are coming to terms with the loss of skipper Pat Cummins for at least the first seven matches. It is either a portent for impending disaster or an opportunity to strike better balance.

Kamindu Mendis could come in for the Aussie offering batting depth and a much-needed extra spin option. If they went for Brydon Carse, however, it might be considered risky. Carse could be fodder on some of these pitches with control not his stroing point. Watch out for hitter Ravi Smaran who could be subbed in when they bat.

Possible XI: Head, Abhishek, Ishan, Livingstone, Klaasen, Reddy, Verma, Carse, Harshal, Unadkat, Ansari (sub Smaran)

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL pitch report

There have been 17 night matches (a healthy study sample) played at the Chinnaswamy in IPL in the last three years. The trend is for runs with an average RPO of 9.78. There is no toss bias with there being a marginal advantage in terms of run rate batting second. This is a wicket which can stay true. 

The team batting first has scored more than 190 runs eight times in the 17 games. In seven of those, the score has been more than 200. We would expect a par line in the late 180s, early 190s. RCB and Chennai both hit 200 in the last game played there and the both teams to score market will be popular. The 200 price is 12/53.40. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL match prediction

Bangalore are 1.875/6 on the Betfair Exchange to start from where they left off with a victory. If we're using 2025 as a form guide those odds appear to be generous.

Aside from the fact RCB are the champs, they are a durable and efficient unit who should enjoy playing against a Sunrisers outfit who prefer chaos.

Their approach of rushing towards danger meant they had a disastrous campaign last season and it would not be in the least surprising if they failed to make the play-offs.

Their strength, of course, is being gung-ho with the bat. They could well post something big batting first. But we wouldn't bet on them defending it.

With Virat Kohli in their ranks RCB are calm in the chase and the smart play might be to bet the hosts at the break at odds against. 

Royal Challenger Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL player tips

Virat Kohli is Mr Consistent. He has won at a rate of 40% in the last two years on the top bat market, which equates to a 6/42.50 chance. Sportsbook rate him at 21/103.10 which is a decent chunk in our favour. A bit like Babar Azam over in the PSL we're not at all bothered by the fact Kohli takes fewer risks. His approach is to consolidate in the middle overs with a late flurry at the end. 

For Sunrisers Abhishek Sharama is the top-rated for runs. He has a 27% win rate. Jaydev Unadkat, however, is the better SRH player to follow but on the bowler market. there's a fair edge in our favour with a price of 10/34.33.

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