Winning team will clash against DC in Qualifier 2

KATHMANDU, Nov 6: Indian national cricket team captain, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in eliminator of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday evening.

SRH made it to the playoffs beating Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in their last three matches of the league-stage. RCB, on the other hand, lost their last four matches at the end of the league-stage. However, their solid show in the first half of the season, where they registered 7 wins from the 10 matches, helped them remain in the game.

This is the third time that these two teams are meeting each other this season. RCB had begun their season with a game against SRH and emerged victorious inspired by AB de Villiers’ fifty and Yuzvendra Chahal’s three-wicket-haul to seal a 10-run win. However, SRH, with their fine all-round bowling performance, avenged the loss in their second meeting.

When they face each other for the third time this season tonight, one team is sure to make its exit from the season while the other will lock their horns with Delhi Capitals (DC) in Qualifier 2. DC suffered a humiliating 57-run loss against MI in Qualifier 1.

As both the teams vie for Qualifier 2, here are some determining factors and players for tonight’s game:

The batting powerhouses

David Warner has so far garnered 529 runs to his name while Virat Kohli has scored 460 runs from 14 matches this season. These two players have time and again justified it that they can perform on the bigger stage. The two have some solid support – Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson and Wriddhiman Saha backing Warner  while Kohli will have solid support from AB de Villiers and Devdutt Padikkal, who has been RCB’s leading run-getter this season with 472 to his name.

Influencing leg-spinners

Rashid Khan is leading the wicket-takers’ chart for SRH and eighth highest wicket taker in overall with 19 wickets to his name. RCB’s Yuzvendra Chahal, the fifth highest wicket taker this season with 20 wickets from 14 matches is expected to leave an impact on the crucial game tonight. As SRH and RCB challenge each other in the match halting one team’s journey this season, there will be a battle for the bragging rights between two of the finest leg-spinners.

Stats 

SRH at this venue: Played 4, Won 1, Lost 3 

RCB at this venue: Played 5 , Won 2, Lost 3

 
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