If past records are to be believed, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have prevented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from progressing in IPL tournaments several times in the past. They will not want to buckle under pressure when RCB take on Sunrisers at their home ground in Hyderabad on May 18. Rather, they would like to show their true potential.
This time, they will be playing for dignity. On the other hand, RCB will be under immense pressure as they have to win this match. In the 22 matches played between these two teams so far, Sunrisers have won 12 and Bangalore have won nine.
In the last five matches, both SRH and RCB have won two and lost three. Sunrisers scored the highest score in 2019 at this stadium. Guess who their opponent was: RCB.
Bangalore must win this match for two reasons. A win in the next two matches will take them to 14 points, which may not be enough to qualify. They would like to win this match and grab 16 points in their next home fixture against Gujarat Titans (GT).
Secondly, since their last match is against GT – Table Toppers, it promises to be really tough to win. So, if RCB lose against Hyderabad, they will be stuck at 12 and out.
Will they be able to win both these matches? Of course, they can … on paper. However, as we all know, they have been hoaxed ever since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have always lost at crucial moments and never managed to win a trophy.
Nobody knows this better than the Royal Challengers themselves. They want to learn from their past and make things better this time. The fact is that if they lose against SRH, the thought of the said wretchedness will loom over their heads in the next match against GT. And, this is not a good sign.
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