IPL 2018, RCB vs SRH: 5 player battles to look forward to

Another day and it is another must-win game for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and although it is a home game, they are going to come up against table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad. It is going to be a tough game for RCB and needless to say, SRH will give them a tough fight as they themselves try and get back into winning ways following the setback in their last game.

It is a contest that hinges on RCB’s explosive batting and SRH’s bowling attack, which has proven to be the team’s biggest strength in the tournament so far. It is going to be a game to remember and the ultimate result of the game is going to depend on some of the individual battles that will take place tonight in Bengaluru. Here is a look at the 5 most important individual battles that will have a big say in the game.

#5 Parthiv Patel v Sandeep Sharma

The RCB opening batsman plays a vital role in an explosive batting line-up and is generally tasked with the job of getting the team off to steady starts. Ever since he came into the side following Quinton de Kock’s absence, Parthiv Patel has done admirably for RCB as an opener and his contribution at the top of the order is going to be absolutely crucial for the team in this must-win game tonight. He is averaging 39.66 in 4 games so far and has recorded a strike rate of 141.66.

The left-handed batsman’s opening battle with SRH’s Sandeep Sharma is going to be a crucial one. The right arm pace bowler is extremely accurate and can move the ball either way, which has seen him emerge as one of the best medium pace bowlers in the tournament. Sharma has taken 8 wickets in as many games but it is his economy rate of 5.83 which is so impressive and his opening spell against Patel is going to have a huge impact on the direction of the game.