IPL 2020: Match 52, RCB v SRH – COC Predicted Playing XIs

RCB had defeated SRH in their previous meeting in IPL 2020.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will clash in an important match of the ongoing IPL 2020. It is the 52^nd encounter of the tournament and will be played on October 31, 2020, in Sharjah, beginning from 7.30 PM IST.

RCB is ranked second on the points table, while SRH is 7^th, but neither has confirmed their spot in the final four. A win here for SRH will keep them alive in the race, especially after Rajasthan Royals defeated Kings XI Punjab the other night.

For RCB, a win here will more or less put them in a comfortable spot with 16 points and possibly, even confirm their spot in the final four. It is an important match for both sides in this interesting phase of the IPL 13. Therefore TEAM COC brings to you the Predicted Playing XIs for the RCB v SRH match at Sharjah.

IPL 2020: Match 52, RCB v SRH - Statistical Preview of the Match

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a good chance of finalizing their playoffs chance against Mumbai Indians, but subpar batting in the second half of their innings led them to make a below-par score, and then their bowling was ripped apart from MI batting, with Dale Steyn of all going for huge runs.

Now they are going against SRH who have nothing to lose and everything to gain from a win over them. The biggest problem for RCB has been their batting in middle overs, as openers have given them good starts, but then apart from AB de Villiers, not everyone has managed to provide impetus to their innings.  

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They also missed a trick by not including Isuru Udana on a slow Abu Dhabi track and his replacement Dale Steyn went for plenty. Now at Sharjah, the pitch has become slower than before and Udana should replace Steyn in the XI, as his variations will come in handy for Kohli, especially in death overs.  

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD (SRH)

No other team has been hurt by injuries more than Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have already lost Mitchell Marsh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to injuries and Vijay Shankar also got added to that list. Wriddhiman Saha and Kane Williamson have battled with niggles as well and Jonny Bairstow has struggled with form.

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David Warner couldn’t have asked for a more challenging situation from his squad which has young guns as Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, and Abhishek Sharma in their ranks, and they are tasked with finishing matches. Owing to limitations, despite the need, they cannot include Mohammad Nabi in the playing XI without sacrificing a batsman in Bairstow or Williamson or an all-rounder in Jason Holder.

But with Bhuvneshwar Kumar out, they need Jason Holder to play. However, Warner has utilized attack well which is a mostly medium pace affair to boot, while other franchises are boasting of express fast bowlers. SRH’s star bowler has been Rashid Khan by far and Warner has used him aggressively to get wickets, instead of stemming the runs and it has worked in the team’s favor.

SRH needs to win this match to stay alive in the playoffs race and keep the field open for other teams as well. This will be an interesting match to watch.

RCB COC Predicted Playing XI:

Josh Philippe, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

SRH COC Predicted Playing XI:

David Warner (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed