Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL, 2026, Full Score Card

Sakib delivers it on a length, onto the pads, Krunal Pandya tucks this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs. 200 up for RCB but SRH win by 55 runs.

Short and into the batter, on middle and off, Tim David pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.

FOUR! A boundary this time from the bat of Tim David. Short and wide of off, Tim David sets himself for another big one and hits this powerfully over extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! Even the mishit from Tim travels over the fence. Back of a length, on middle and off, Tim David stands still and hammers this up and over the fielder at long on for a biggie.

On a length, around off, Tim David hits this directly towards mid off.

SRH have been handed a slow over rate penalty.

On a length, around the pads, Tim David flicks this towards short fine leg. A fumble allows the batters to take two runs.

Tossed up, around middle and leg, Tim David tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

Full and on off, Krunal Pandya drives this through covers for a single.

FOUR! Tossed up, full and on middle, Krunal Pandya goes down and sweeps it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Fuller around off, Tim David drills this towards long off for a single.

The next batter in is Tim David.

OUT! CAUGHT! Head-master, at it with the ball this time. Not a great delivery though. Short of a length, spinning into the batter. Rajat Patidar rocks back and heaves it. Gets more elevation than distance and the ball has gone straight into the hands of Ravichandran Smaran at the deep square leg fence.

Floated into the pads of KP. The batter goes for a slog sweep but misses out and gets this deflected off his pads towards the short third fielder for a leg bye. With that, RCB have locked their top spot on the table heading into the playoffs.

Oh..wow! Travis Head will roll his arms here.

SIX! Muscled away for a biggie. On a length, around middle and leg, Rajat Patidar goes down in his knee and slog sweeps this from the middle of his bat for a biggie towards the deep mid-wicket region.

Harshal goes full and in line of the stumps. Krunal Pandya rolls this towards long on for one.

Bouncer, around middle and off, Krunal Pandya sways away from it.

Good length, on off, Krunal Pandya punches this towards extra cover for a dot.

FIFTY FOR RAJAT! Back of a length, around middle and off, Rajat Patidar hits this away towards the deep mid-wicket region and takes a single to bring up his half-century. Not the most fluid of knocks from the RCB skipper but he has done what the situation demanded him to do.

Slower one, short and wide of off, Krunal Pandya pulls this towards the right of the fielder at deep mid-wicket for one.

LEG BYE! On a length, drifting down the leg, Krunal Pandya goes for a flick but misses out. Gets hit on the front pad and the ball rolls away in the gap for a leg bye.

Good length, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar milks this through mid-wicket for one.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reached the 166-run mark, which means that they will finish in the top two. They need 12 more runs to ensure that they go into the playoffs being the league leaders. With that, Qualifier 1 is also confirmed, and it will be between RCB and Gujarat Titans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.

FOUR! RCB WILL FINISH IN THE TOP 2! Back of a length, around off, Rajat Patidar arches back and opens the face of his bat. Hits this up and over the fielder at backward point for a boundary.

Full and wide of off, Krunal Pandya drives this to wide long off for a single.

Slower one, short and wide of off, Krunal Pandya swings really hard and wild at it. Gets it under-edged towards the left of the keeper.

On a length, around off, Rajat Patidar chips this in front of long off for a single.

Full toss, on middle, Rajat Patidar miscues his slog towards deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Salt to the wounds for Eshan Malinga! Pace off, short of a length and outside off, Rajat Patidar gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Put down again! Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar looks to whip it across the line but gets a top edge. The ball goes miles in the air behind short fine, where Sakib Hussain runs backwards but never really settles under it. He does not even get a hand on it as the ball bounces and rolls over the fence for a boundary.

DROPPED! That should have been taken. Back of a length and around off, Rajat Patidar stays back and spanks it hard and uppishly towards extra cover. Pat Cummins crouches low and tries to take it with a reverse cup, but the ball bursts through his hands.

Much fuller and around off, Rajat Patidar drives it square wide of point for a brace.

Dug into the surface, outside off, slower as well, Rajat Patidar tries to cut it away but misses.

More scenarios as informed by Murali Kartik on air. If RCB score between 166 and 177, then it will be GT first and RCB second, while if RCB score between 154 and 165, it will be GT first and SRH second with RCB dropping down to third. If RCB score between 178 and 256, they will retain their top spot on the points table. Calculator cricket at its finest.

Third full toss in a row, outside off, Krunal Pandya drives it wide of sweeper cover for a brace. RCB need 17 runs to ensure a top-two finish.

Another full toss, down the leg side, Rajat Patidar fails to get it away and only manages to flick it to deep square leg for just one.

Low full toss, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Pace off, full and around off, Krunal Pandya lofts it with not much timing towards deep extra cover for a run.

Good length and on middle, Rajat Patidar clips it through square leg for a single.

WIDE! Tries the slower bouncer, but this is too high for the batter, Rajat Patidar lets it go. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Slower, into the surface but down the leg side. Rajat Patidar gets inside the line of it and hooks it to the fine leg fence for a boundary. RCB need 113 runs in 35 balls to win.

On a length, around middle and leg, Rajat Patidar nudges this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Full toss, around off, Rajat Patidar gets up on his toes, gets on top of the bounce and cuts this in front of the fielder at point. The ball bounces awkwardly in front of Travis Head towards his right and he tries to field this with his eyes off the ball. The ball goes past Head and races to the fence for four.

Slower one, around off, Rajat Patidar goes for a slog but gets it miscued off the cue end back towards the bowler.

Yorker, on the pads, Krunal Pandya flicks this through square leg for a single.

Slower one, short and around off, Krunal Pandya goes for the pull. Gets hit high on his bat and the ball lands in the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Full toss, around middle and off, Krunal Pandya shuffles across the stumps, ramps this behind the stumps towards the fine leg region for a boundary.

A slower bumper now, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar steps across to pull it away but fails to connect. It's time for the Strategic Break now.

Pace off again, good length and on off, Krunal Pandya almost gets decieved by it and checks his push towards long off for one.

Touch fuller and on middle, Krunal Pandya tucks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary! Back of a length but down the leg side this time, Krunal Pandya helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for four runs.

Excellent slower delivery! Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, gives no pace at all, Krunal Pandya shuffles a long way across to play the scoop but is beaten all ends up.

On a length and on leg, Rajat Patidar nudges it through backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Powered away! This is short and well outside off, Krunal Pandya stays inside the crease, reaches out for it and crashes it through extra covers for a boundary.

The way Rajat and Krunal Pandya are going, it is giving an impression that RCB are targeting 166 first to cement their position in the top two before going all guns blazing after the total. Meanwhile, there is an animated exchange of words between the umpire and Cummins. Not sure about the topic.

Dragged back, on off, Rajat Patidar guides it to point for one.

Flighted, full and on middle, Krunal Pandya drills it to long on for a run.

Flatter, full but turns down the leg side, Krunal Pandya goes down for the sweep but misses. Ishan Kishan also fails to stop it. Sakib Hussain from short third gives it a good chase and pulls it back just in time. Saves a couple of runs for his side.

A loopy full toss, on leg, Rajat Patidar looks to swipe it away but gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a single.

Slider, around off, Rajat Patidar looks for the sweep but gets beaten and is hit on the front pad. A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Pat Cummins has sent this upstairs, though. Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have missed the stumps and the on-field decision stays.

Shivang Kumar (1-0-23-0) comes back into the attack.

On a length, around middle and off, Rajat Patidar pushes this down the ground towards long on for a single.

Hard length and outside off, Krunal Pandya flat-bats it to long off for one. Nothing much on the Free Hit then.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, gives no pace again. Rajat Patidar sways away and upper cuts it towards third man for one. Uh..oh! The umpire signals a No Ball as SRH have only three fielders inside the circle. Free Hit up next..

Much fuller and on middle, Krunal Pandya bunts it out towards long on for one.

Pace off, on a length and outside off, very close to the tramline, Krunal Pandya has a go at it but fails to connect. It is called a wide, but Cummins takes a review after a chat with his keeper. The replay comes up with Ball Tracking and shows that some part of the ball is inside the revised wide guideline. The on-field call is changed to a fair delivery.

Back of a length and on off, Rajat Patidar runs it down to third man for a single.

Two wides! A slower bumper, outside off, too high for the batter, Krunal Pandya leaves it alone and Ishan Kishan fails to gather it cleanly. A wide given and a bye taken.

FOUR! Good shot! Fuller delivery, around off, Krunal Pandya shuffles in his crease and drills it down to the vacant long off fence for a boundary.

Pat Cummins is back on. Just 15 runs from the last three overs and that has multiplied the pressure on RCB.

On a length, around off, Krunal Pandya hits this with a straight bat towards the right of the bowler. Harshal gets a good chunk of his outstretched right hand behind the ball and deflects this just past the stumps on the other end and towards Pat Cummins at mid off. The batters take a run. It would have been interesting had the ball hit the stumps after a deflection from Harshal's hand as Rajat Patidar might have been backing up a bit too much. 100 comes up for RCB and they'll need to go at 15.6 in the last 10 overs.

Harshal continues to bowl short and this time around off, Rajat Patidar keeps the pull down and hits this to the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Short and around leg, Krunal Pandya pulls this on the bounce towards the right of the fielder at deep mid-wicket and takes one.

Slower one, full toss on middle and off, Rajat Patidar flicks this towards long on for a run.

Bouncer on middle and leg, Krunal Pandya pulls this flat towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Short and into the batter, on off, Rajat Patidar pulls this towards deep square leg for one.

Change of ends for Harshal Patel.

A quick bumper, around off, Krunal Pandya sways back but has a flash at it while doing so. The ball goes past the batter and Ishan Kishan gathers it with his right hand behind the stumps. No appeal of any sort from any SRH player, barring the bowler himself. Eshan Malinga convinces Pat Cummins to send this upstairs. UltraEdge shows a flat line as the ball passes the bat and SRH lose a review. The sound that Eshan heard must have been the flicker of the handle of Krunal's bat. End of a top over from the Lankan speedster.

Another timely wicket for SRH. Krunal Pandya joins his skipper out in the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Well, the boundaries dried up and this was always on the cards with RCB chasing 256. A pace on, fuller delivery around middle and leg, Devdutt Padikkal picks it up with a flick and hits this straight into the hands of Abhishek Sharma at the deep mid-wicket fence. Sharma moves in from the fence a few steps and settles himself well underneath it to grab hold of it. RCB are 94 for 3.

Slower one, banged short and around off, Rajat Patidar helps this towards the third man region for a single.

A well-directed short one, around middle and leg, Rajat Patidar leans inside the line of the ball and looks to play the hook but gets beaten. Ishan Kishan gathers this and appeals for a caught behind but the umpire turns it down.

Slower one, around off, Devdutt Padikkal smashes this towards the long on region for a single.

Good length, around off, Rajat Patidar plays this close to his body and guides this to the third man region for a single.

Pat Cummins brings Eshan Malinga back into the attack.

Short and around off, going across the southpaw. Devdutt backs away and looks for the square cut but misses out.

Good length, on middle and off, Rajat Patidar gently pushes this towards backward point and rotates the strike again.

Full toss, around off, Devdutt Padikkal punches this down to long off for a single.

Excellent from Sakib as he fires in a short one at 135.6 kph now, around off, Devdutt Padikkal was expecting a slower one and couldn't even move his bat till the ball sneaks past him.

This one is bowled at just 112.3 kph from Sakib. On a length, around off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes this to the right of the bowler and Sakib fields this himself to keep it down to a dot.

FOUR! Sakib bowls this at 116.3 kph, full and around off, Devdutt Padikkal uses his long handle and lofts this wide to the left of the fielder at sweeper cover for a boundary.

Slower one from Patel, short and around off. Devdutt Padikkal was looking to bail out of the cut but ends up hitting this from the face of his bat towards the right of the fielder at short third for a single.

Short and around off, Rajat Patidar gets up on his toes and dabs this to the third man fielder for one.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Rajat Patidar pulls this towards Sakib Hussain at deep mid-wicket and a slight fumble allows the batters to take two.

Good length, wide of off, Devdutt Padikkal plays this late and cuts this to deep point for a single.

On a length, around the pads, Rajat Patidar tucks this towards mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Glorious drive from the skipper of RCB. Good length, around off, Rajat Patidar strides close to the pitch of the ball, gets on top of the bounce and drives this all along the ground through the covers region for a boundary to greet Harshal Patel into the attack.

Strategic Break! Well, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are certainly going for the win here and not just the 166-run mark to ensure a top-two finish, and they have scored at a brisk rate in the Powerplay. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad have pulled things back a bit, removing both the openers in consecutive overs and they will be hoping that they can build on that to pick up a few more quickly to put the pressure on the middle order. It will be Harshal Patel to bowl after the break.

Good length, on middle and off, Rajat Patidar steps inside the line and pushes this through mid on for a single to open his account. RCB are 75/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

Both the RCB openers are gone now. Skipper Rajat Patidar comes out to the middle.

OUT​! Kohli is caught! Sakib Hussain sticks to his strength and removes Virat Kohli from the middle. Another slower one, at 115 kph, around off, a touch closer to the off stump this time. Virat Kohli looks to smash this up and over the fielder at covers but fails to get right underneath it and hits this powerfully but straight into the hands of Ravichandran Smaran. The in-ring fielder takes it nice and easy around his shoulders to send Kohli back. 182 needed off 85 balls, and RCB are under pressure despite a rollicking start.

Good length, wide of off, Virat Kohli stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and thumps this on the bounce towards the fielder at extra cover.

Full and on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal tucks this gently towards long on for a single.

Another slower one, at 110 kph, on a length and in the line of the stumps. Virat Kohli goes for a flick but gets it edged off the inside edge, onto his pads for a single as the ball rolls towards point.

Sakib takes the pace off straight away, and bowls it on a length around off, Devdutt Padikkal gets it away towards the off side and rotates the strike.

Back of a length and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal cuts it away to deep point for one.

SIX! Lazy elegance on the previous ball and a whack on this one. Short and across the batter, on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal stays deep inside his crease and pulls this in front of square on the leg side for a biggie.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Good length and around off, Devdutt Padikkal lets the ball come to him. He opens the bat face and uses the pace to guide it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Eshan gets rid of Venkatesh Iyer and it will be Devdutt Padikkal replacing him in the middle at 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Eshan Malinga gets a crucial breakthrough, bringing in some joy for the Orange Army. Malinga bangs this hard into the pitch, on middle at 138.8 kph. Venkatesh Iyer puts his weight on the back foot and looks to swat it away but the ball gets big on him. He ends up mistiming the shot high in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Abhishek Sharma comes charging in from the ropes and takes a fine sliding catch. End of a fiery knock from Iyer, and RCB are 60/1, chasing 256 runs.

A full toss, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli flicks it away to deep square leg for a single.

Good effort in the deep! Back of a length and on middle, Virat Kohli heaves it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Heinrich Klaasen runs to his left and makes a good diving stop. Two taken.

Change of ends for Eshan Malinga.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer punches it to extra cover. 23 runs off the over!

WIDE! Fires this one full but a bit too outside off, Venkatesh Iyer leaves it alone.

As per Murali Kartik on air, this is the first 50-plus run opening partnership for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since 18th April 2026.

SIX! Venkatesh Iyer is just picking different spots in the field! This is short again and on middle and leg. Iyer moves back and plays with a straight bat, thumping it over the long on fence for half a dozen more.

SIX! Short and punished! Shivang Kumar drags his length back, on middle. Venkatesh Iyer has all the time in the world to rock back, he opens up his stance and whack it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 50 UP FOR RCB in just 3.4 overs.

Flatter, short and on leg, Venkatesh Iyer moves back and lobs it safely towards mid on.

FOUR! Fine shot! Floated, full and on off, Venkatesh Iyer goes down on one knee again, rolls his wrists and drags his sweep all along the ground to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

SIX! Welcome to the game, Shivang Kumar! Tossed up, full and around middle, Venkatesh Iyer gets down and across to stay inside the line of the ball. He nails the slog sweep over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Will Eshan Malinga continue? He bowled the first one really well but it's time for spin, says Pat Cummins as he brings on Shivang Kumar.

Gets away with it! A low full toss, down the leg side, Venkatesh Iyer glances it off the inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. They cross.

Plenty of time wasted on the previous ball. Here comes the final ball of the over...

Pat Cummins sees the batter back away and bowls this full, closer to the tramline outside off, Venkatesh Iyer is nowhere near to the play at that. It is given as a fair delivery, but RCB have challenged the decision. Looks like there is a bit of a technical issue, as we are still waiting for the Ball Tracking to load up. The replay comes up and the third umpire is convinced that some part of the ball is inside the guideline. The on-field call remains and RCB lose a review.

FOUR! Up and over! Much fuller and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer extends his arms to get under it. One hand comes off the bat but he still manages to loft it well over mid off for four more runs.

Cummins follows the batter, serves this full and on the leg stump line, Virat Kohli has no room to work with and clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Good length but angling down the leg side, Virat Kohli swings at it but does not connect. Called a wide.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Into the pitch again, on middle, Virat Kohli brings his wrists into play and whips it away to the vacant deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.

FOUR! A good effort in the deep goes in vain! Back of a length and on middle and leg, Virat Kohli helps it towards the deep fine leg fence. Nitish Kumar Reddy runs a long way to his right and dives to collect the ball, but it pops out when his elbow hits the ground and goes away to the fence.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle, pace on. Venkatesh Iyer stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Change of pace again, hits the length hard and around off. Venkatesh Iyer goes through the heave across the line way too early and misses.

Bangs in a quick and sharp bumper around 140 clicks, on middle and off, Venkatesh Iyer sways away from it.

Good length and well outside off, takes pace off and this one keeps low as well. Venkatesh Iyer moves a bit too far to the leg side and fails to reach out for it.

Back of a length and around off, Venkatesh Iyer punches it towards cover-point.

Eshan Malinga begins with a slower one, on a length and on middle, Virat Kohli heaves it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

RCB have started the way they wanted to. 14 runs off the first over. Eshan Malinga will be bowling from the other end.

SIX! Goes all the way! Cummins goes back to the fuller length, outside off, angling away, Venkatesh Iyer backs away and throws his hands at it. He opens the bat face late, loses his bottom hand but ends up slicing it over the slip cordon for a biggie.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Hard-length delivery, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer shuffles a long way across to get inside the line of it and scoops it to the vacant deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Virat Kohli swivels and pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for a run.

Pitched up and around off, Virat Kohli watchfully blocks it out.

Full again and on off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to mid off for a quick single.

In the air..SAFE! Pat Cummins starts with a full delivery, outside off, angling away. Venkatesh Iyer gives the charge, stays leg side of the ball to loft it over covers. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but gets enough to clear the infield for a couple of runs. RCB are underway in the chase!

OUT! CAUGHT! Yes, he can. An excellent final over and Rasikh Salam wraps it up with a wicket. Sunrisers Hyderabad finish on a massive 255/4. This is a low full toss, outside off again, Ishan Kishan once again tries to reach out for it but loses his balance and mistimes his lofted shot high up in the air. Devdutt Padikkal at long off moves forward, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a good catch.

Fuller delivery, outside off, angling away, Ishan Kishan throws his bat it but loses his balance. He ends up chopping it onto the strip outside off, while falling over. Can Rasikh Salam finish well here?

Gets the yorker right this time, outside off, Nitish Kumar Reddy jams it out towards extra cover for a run.

WIDE! And again! Tries the yorker but down the leg side, much closer to the pads but still a wide.

WIDE! Pitched up but way down the leg side, Nitish Kumar Reddy leaves it alone. Salam will have to reload that one.

FOUR! 250 UP FOR SRH! Fuller delivery, drifting down the leg side, Nitish Kumar Reddy is never going to miss out on that and glances it past short fine for a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, Ishan Kishan reaches out but loses his bottom hand and swats it to long on for a run. Good last 8 balls for RCB.

Short of a length and on middle, takes all the pace off, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to pull but gets it from the inner half of the bat to the leg side for a single.

Rasikh Salam is back in and will bowl the final over of the innings.

In the blockhole, outside off, Nitish Kumar Reddy jams it out towards long off for one. Just 8 runs off the over!

Excellent bowling! Nails the yorker, on middle, tailing in, Nitish Kumar Reddy can only dig it back to the bowler.

Pitched up and around leg, Ishan Kishan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Gets it away! Much fuller and on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan uses his feet and swings across the line but gets an inside edge that beats short fine to his left for a boundary.

Does not connect well! Low full toss, on of, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to slog it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller one and around off, Ishan Kishan miscues the reverse swipe towards backward point for a single.

Two overs left in the innings. Bhuvi and Rasikh to bowl one each? Seems like it, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack.

SIX! Goes all the way! A low full toss, on middle and leg, Nitish Kumar Reddy goes down across to scoop it over fine leg, but the ball catches the top edge and flies over the third man fence for a biggie.

Run out chance...missed! A good yorker, outside off, Ishan Kishan jams it out towards extra cover and sets off for the run. Rajat Patidar throws it on the bounce to the bowler's end, where Josh Hazlewood fails to collect it. Ishan already gave up but he gets another life.

DROPPED! Bangs this into the pitch, on off, Ishan Kishan looks to heave it away but gets hurried and the ball hits him high on the bat. It lobs towards the bowler, where Josh sticks out his right hand but fails to hold on to it. A tough chance though.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Pitched up and around off, angles away, Ishan Kishan throws the kitchen sink at it. He loses his shape and the ball flies off the outside edge over short third for a boundary.

A low full toss, on middle, tailing in late, Nitish Kumar Reddy swings at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads a the ball rolls to the leg side. They cross.

Fuller delivery, on off, Ishan Kishan drills it down to long off for a single.

Dug into the surface, outside off, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to drag his pull from there but gets a top edge. It goes up in the air but lands well in front of deep mid-wicket. Two taken. 16 runs and a wicket off the over.

Another bumper from Pandya, outside off but inside the tramline, Nitish Kumar Reddy steps across but leaves it alone.

SIX MORE! Floated, full and outside off, the lower-arm trajectory again, but in the slot this time. Nitish Kumar Reddy gets right underneath it and tonks it over the bowler's head for another biggie.

WIDE! Goes for the bouncer but bowls this way outside off, Nitish Kumar Reddy leaves it alone. Jitesh Sharma does well to collect it moving to his right.

SIX! Nitish Kumar Reddy starts with a bang! Flatter, full and on middle, in the slot. Reddy clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

How big will the wicket of Klaasen be at this stage? Only time will tell. For now, Nitish Kumar Reddy walks out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Fifty and out for Heinrich Klaasen. Krunal Pandya gets a massive wicket at an important time for RCB. He bowls this with the low-arm action, full and on middle, angling in. Klaasen stays back and looks to heave it away, but his bat turns in his hand. It flies off the inside half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket, where Venkatesh Iyer runs in, gets down on both knees and takes a good catch.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Ishan Kishan slaps it off balance on the bounce to sweeper cover for a single.

The bowling changes keep on coming as Krunal Pandya is brought back into the attack. He went for just 8 runs in his first over. Also, RCB have used their Impact Sub, bringing in Tim David for Suyash Sharma.

Suyash Sharma is substituted by Tim David

FIFTY FOR Heinrich Klaasen. Short again, around off, Heinrich Klaasen pulls this flat and into the surface as the ball rolls towards the right of the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a couple. Heinrich Klaasen continues his purple patch with yet another half-century.

Slower one, short and around off, Heinrich Klaasen fends this to the deep mid-wicket region for a couple.

Slower one, back of a length, around off, Ishan Kishan hammers this to long off for one.

Oh, what's happened here? Jitesh Sharma is on the ground, struggling with cramps, it seems. The physio is out on the field, tending to Jitesh. Hopefully, he is fine. All good now, and we are ready to play again.

FOUR! Yet another boundary from the bat of Ishan Kishan. Full and around the pads, Ishan Kishan steps a long way across, goes down on a knee and sweeps this to the right of the backward square leg fielder for four more runs.

WIDE! Salam comes around the stumps and bowls it full and wide outside off, Ishan Kishan leaves it. Wided. 200 comes up for SRH in the 16th over.

FOUR! On a length, around middle and leg, Ishan Kishan goes down on a knee and sweeps this in the gap to the left of backward square leg for four runs.

SIX! The only currency these two are dealing in right now is boundaries and biggies. On a length, around off, Ishan Kishan gets right underneath the ball and slogs this powerfully over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for six runs.

Rasikh Salam comes back in to replace Suyash Sharma.

SIX! It is turning out to be an exhibition of ball-striking by Heinrich Klaasen. Good length, wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen doesn't move his foot by an inch, HK just stays still and towards the leg side of the ball and lofts this over the fence towards wide long off for a biggie. 18 off the over, another big one for SRH.

FOUR! This stroke shows the class of the batter and Heinrich Klaasen is as classy and ruthless as they come. Short and wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen steps across the stumps and drags this one with a pull just past the fielder at square leg for a boundary behind square on the leg side. Excellent maneuvering of the field by Heinrich Klaasen.

Slower one, short and wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen gets up on his toes and lofts this behind Rajat Patidar at extra cover for a couple.

Good length, around off, Heinrich Klaasen has a heave at it but misses out.

FIFTY FOR ISHAN! Yorker, on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan flicks this towards the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a single. An excellent fifty which has kept the momentum going for SRH from Ishan Kishan. According to the on-air commentators, this is Kishan's fourth consecutive half-century against RCB.

WIDE! Short and wide outside off Ishan Kishan leaves it. Wided.

FOUR! Bhuvi is back into the attack and he has been greeted with a boundary. Full toss, around middle and leg, Ishan Kishan looks to slog this over the fence but his bat tilts in his hands at the time of contact with the ball. Ishan gets enough contact to race the ball to the fence in the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-0-25-0) is back on.

Tossed up, around off, Ishan Kishan stays leg side to the pitch of the ball this time around and hammers this down the ground to long off for a single.

Flighted, well outside off, Ishan Kishan once again steps a long way cross the stumps and looks to target the shorter side towards his mid-wicket but ends up with an inside edge that rolls to square leg.

SIX! This was a googly from Suyash Sharma, around off, Ishan Kishan steps across the steps, goes down on a knee and slog sweeps this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie.

Tossed up, around the pads, Heinrich Klaasen tucks this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg, Heinrich Klaasen looks for the sweep but misses. Wided.

Top-spinner, around off, Heinrich Klaasen checks his stroke and ends up guides this to point.

SIX​​! Heinrich Klaasen has made it look so easy. Short of a length, around off, Heinrich Klaasen backs away to his leg side and just muscles this up and over extra cover for a biggie over the deep extra cover fence.

Strategic Break! Heinrich Klaasen has changed gears and attacked one of RCB's best bowlers, smashing 27 runs in the last over. The momentum is with the home side now, and with two destructive batters out there, they have the perfect platform to get something near 230 or even more. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru know that if they can break this partnership, they can get back in the contest, putting pressure on a not-so-experienced middle order. Also, Suyash Sharma to bowl after the break.

Full and wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen pushes this towards sweeper cover for a single. 27 runs off the over!

SIX! Josh is feeling the heat as Heinrich Klaasen has gone full monty on the RCB pacer. A gentle, knee-height full toss, around off, Heinrich Klaasen stands well inside his crease, gets a stable platform to free his arms and slogs this out of the park over the long on fence for six more runs.

FOUR! There was nothing wrong with the delivery but such is the class of Heinrich Klaasen that he has guided this away for four. Full and wide outside off, Heinrich Klaasen plays this late, opens his bat face and guides this through the gap between short third and backward point for four.

SIX! Klaasen has very much stepped onto the accelerator and these are scary signs for RCB. Pitched-up delivery, on middle and off, Heinrich Klaasen stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and smashes this deep into the crowd towards the long on region for one of the biggest hits of the game so far.

WIDE! Bumper, another one a bit too high on the batter. Heinrich Klaasen leaves it. Wided.

WIDE! Good length, wide down the leg, Heinrich Klaasen swings and misses. Wide called once again.

SIX! Maybe this will get Heinrich Klaasen going. On a length, into the batter, around his pads, Heinrich Klaasen gets inside the line a bit, gets right underneath the ball and slogs this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive six.

Full and wide of off, Ishan Kishan hammers this towards sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! Too short by Josh Hazlewood as he bangs a short one over the head of Ishan Kishan. The batter leaves it and the umpire calls it wide.

Now, Josh Hazlewood comes back into the attack.

Just five singles in the over. Full and wide, Ishan Kishan lunges across and flicks it on the full, towards deep square leg, but again the fielding is sharp and it will only be a single.

Well bowled again, and it's turning out to be a comeback over from Romario Shepherd. Slow and short again, at the batter. Klaasen pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and collects a run. Ishan Kishan is now fially allowed to get his bat changed.

Romario comes around the wicket and angles in a full ball from outside off. Ishan Kishan reaches for it and ends up hitting it one-handed down to long on. Devdutt Padikkal is quick to cut it off to his right and keeps it down to a single. It seems like Kishan has called for a new bat.

A slower bumper now, dug in high and at the batter. Klaasen moves leg side and reaches up to pull it down through wide mid on for just a single.

Klaasen isn't able to get going at the moment. Slower one, on a good length and on off. Klaasen shuffles across to lap it down to fine leg but misses and the ball goes just over the stumps.

Pitched fuller on middle, Ishan Kishan hits it straight and back over the bowler's head, but the timing isn't quite there. The fielder at long on cuts it off to his right and it will just be a single.

Well, Rajat Patidar wanted to give the ball to Josh Hazlewood, but as he was out of the field, the umpires said he could only bowl after a couple of minutes. So, Romario Shepherd will continue.

Smartly bowled, and a couple of dots to end the over from Krunal Pandya. The arm-ball, darted into the batter, Klaasen hops back to make room but gets cramped and just jams it out.

Fractionally short on middle and leg, Klaasen leans back to put it away leg side but fails to get it away.

Fired in, on a nagging length and just outside off. Kishan jams it down to long off and turns the strike over.

SIX! BANG! A bit fuller again, slightly tossed up, around middle and leg. Ishan Kishan comes forward a bit and wallops the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Nicely bowled. A bit fuller, just sliding it across the left-hander. Kishan hangs back, crouches down and looks to cut it late but is beaten past the outside edge.

Length ball, darted in on off stump, Klaasen hops back and smacks it down to long off for a run.

Krunal Pandya replaces Suyash Sharma.

That's a fine delivery, but still, 13 runs come off the over. A yorker, right at the toes, Klaasen jams it out through square leg and picks up a single. Romario Shepherd's gone for 32 runs in his 2 overs so far.

Good-length delivery, much straighter in line. Ishan pushes it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Finally, Kishan picks the gap to perfection. Back of a length, angled across off, Kishan hangs back and cuts it late, to the left of short third for a boundary.

That's pinged off Ishan Kishan's blade and that's a sensational stop in the deep as well. Full and wide outside off, Kishan gets low and laces the drive wide to the left of Venkatesh Iyer at sweeper cover. Iyer sprints across and lunges at the ball, clawing it back with his left hand, saving a couple of runs while doing so as well.

WIDE! A slower bumper now, outside off and dug in well short. Kishan reaches to uppercut but leaves it alone at the last moment, and gets the wide call in his favour. Too high.

Two more, this time to the other side of Venkatesh Iyer in the deep. Dug in shorter, wide outside off, Kishan reaches for it and slaps it wide of deep point for another brace.

Back of a length, angled across off, bowled into the deck. Kishan scythes it away to the right of deep point and races back for the second run. Good running.

This time, Suyash sees Kishan coming and drags the length back a bit. Around leg, wristed away in front of mid-wicket for a single. A wicket and 7 runs off the 9th over.

FOUR! A half tracker and it's been put away. A googly around off, Ishan Kishan advances down the pitch, has time to line it up and swats the pull well wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. The 100 is up now for SRH.

A tad shorter, down leg, Klaasen rocks back and pulls it down to long leg for just a single.

Flatter this time, another googly and on the pads. Heinrich Klaasen hangs back and tucks it to square leg.

RCB finally hold onto one. Mr. Consistent, Heinrich Klaasen, comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Same batter, same bowler, same fielder and this time, Jordan Cox makes no mistake. Suyash Sharma serves a tossed-up googly around middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma skips down the pitch, stays leg side of the ball and looks to tower it over long off. Sharma gets it off the toe end of the bat and the ball goes high up towards long off. The substitute fielder, Jordan Cox takes a solid catch and Sharma departs after scoring a half-century.

Dragged length around off, Kishan comes down the pitch and punches it down to long on for a run.

Change? No, RCB sticking with the spinner.

FOUR! An expensive over from Romario Shepherd as he gives away 19 off this. Full and wide outside off, Abhishek Sharma doesn't look to muscle it as he stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and guides this past the right of Josh Hazlewood at short third for a boundary.

SIX! FIFTY FOR Abhishek Sharma. On a length, a bit too straight and onto the pads of Sharma. The SRH opener gets inside the line of the ball and flicks this slightly to the left of the fielder at deep square leg for a biggie to bring up his half-century. An excellent knock by Abhishek Sharma where he has made the most of the chances the opponents have gifted him.

Good length, around off, Ishan Kishan cuts this square on off for one.

WIDE! Slower and way too wide of off, Ishan Kishan leaves it. Wided.

Short of a length, around off, Ishan Kishan looks to play the cut shot but misses out.

Short and on off, Abhishek Sharma punches this flat to long off for a single.

SIX! Abhishek Sharma is living a charmed life as he is once again dropped by a boundary rider and this time the culprit is Devdutt Padikkal. On a length, around middle and off, Abhishek Sharma smashes this down the ground towards the long on region. Devdutt Padikkal misreads the flight of the ball and doesn't time his jump to perfection. The ball goes through his hands for a biggie.

Quicker one, on off, Ishan Kishan pushes this back to the bowler.

Wrong'un down the leg, Abhishek Sharma gets behind the line of the ball and tucks this through square leg for one.

SIX! Fuller around, a tad closer to the batter this time. Abhishek Sharma looks for the lofted drive once again but just gets more elevation than distance on this occasion. The ball lobs high around the fence at wide long off. Jordan Cox is patrolling that fence and attempts a rally catch but gestures six straightaway. This is sent upstairs and the replay shows that the right foot of Cox has touched the boundary cushion with the ball in his hands. Six signalled by the umpire.

Is that a six? The substitute fielder, Jordan Cox seemed to have taken a very nonchalant and fine catch, but he immediately signalled that it was a six. The third umpire checks the replay, and it is confirmed that just after taking the catch, Cox's right foot touched the boundary cushion. Abhishek Sharma survives.

SIX! This is one of the best strokes of the game played by Abhishek Sharma so far. Fuller around the off stumps, Abhishek Sharma steps close to the pitch of the ball and lofts this with the spin. Abhishek doesn't look to muscle it but just relies on the timing behind it and the ball clears the deep extra cover fence with ease for a biggie.

Tossed up, around off, Kishan lofts this towards sweeper cover for a single.

Suyash Sharma starts with a googly, around off, Ishan Kishan doesn't move his feet towards the pitch of the ball and just plays the lofted drive. Gets it edged off the outside half of the blade towards short third for no run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A good start for the Sunrisers, but not exactly what they would have wanted, given they need to win by a margin of 80-plus runs and they are generally known to score really big in the Powerplay as well. However, with wickets in hand, they will look to accelerate through the middle phase. All of RCB's three frontline pacers have bowled a couple of overs each, and it will now be the turn of their spinners to come in and bog down the opposition in the middle overs. Let's see which side can power through the next phase and garner momentum. Also, Suyash Sharma comes into the attack now.

Short and on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan pulls this away and takes a single to close the Powerplay.

FOUR! On a length, around the pads, Ishan Kishan gets slightly inside the line of the ball and flicks this behind square on leg for a boundary towards the fine leg region.

DROPPED​! Abhishek Sharma gets a lifeline at 25. Short and into the batter, Abhishek Sharma takes on the short stuff with a pull and hits this at a flatter trajectory towards the fielder at deep square leg. Venkatesh Iyer runs in a bit too fast from the fence, misjudging the flight of the ball. Takes his eyes off it as well and the ball goes past his hands and strikes him on his left thigh. A single taken.

FOUR! Sharma reads the slower one and hits this away for four. Slower one, a tad fuller and on middle and off, Abhishek Sharma collapses his back knee and slogs this one bounce over the fence for four towards the cow corner region.

Hard length, around off, Ishan Kishan looks to punch this towards the off side but gets it edged off the inside towards the square leg region for a single.

On a length, around middle and leg, Ishan Kishan pushes this back to the bowler with a straight bat.

Rasikh Salam to continue. Also, according to Ravi Shastri, on-air, this is Virat Kohli's 281st IPL game, making him the most-capped player in the competition, moving ahead of Rohit Sharma on 280 matches.

Short and around off, Ishan Kishan cuts this well to the right of Virat Kohli at deep third. Kohli glides to his right and puts in a dive to field this inside the fence and keep it down to one run.

TWO PLUS ONE! Short-pitched delivery, around middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma pulls this towards the right Devdutt Padikkal at the deep square leg region. The batters take two comfortably as the throw comes in from the fence towards the non-striker's end. Josh leaves it for the backup fielders but both Venkatesh Iyer and Rajat Patidar make a mess of it and that allows the SRH pair to run an extra here. The 50 is also up for SRH.

WIDE! Slower one, bumper, a bit too high on the batter around middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma looks to play the upper-cut but misses out. Wide called by the umpire.

Perfect from Josh. A wide yorker, lands it just inside the tramline outside off, Abhishek Sharma reaches out to drive but the ball sneaks past the willow. Sharma wants a wide call, but he won't get it.

A tad full and around off, Ishan Kishan smashes this towards the fielder at point. Rasikh Salam moves to his right but fumbles a bit and that allows the single.

Short and into the batter, around the leg side. Abhishek Sharma jumps down and away and cuts this flat just in front of Rasikh Salam at backward point for a single.

Back of a length, around off, angling across the batter. Abhishek Sharma goes deep inside the crease and dabs this to backward point for a dot.

Ishan Kishan walks in at number 3 for SRH. Also, Josh Hazlewood switches ends now.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rasikh Salam has the last laugh here. He comes around the wicket and delivers the perfect yorker, landing right on the popping crease. Travis Head makes room but before he can get his bat down, the ball does through to rattle the base of the middle stump. Salam is absolutely pumped up and gives a bit of a send-off to the Aussie. SRH are 45/1.

Much fuller and on off, Travis Head gets a bit late and bunts it out towards mid off.

FOUR! Nicely done! A loopy slower delivery, on off, dipping in late. Travis Head makes room and does well to reach out to take it on the full, before drilling it past cover for four more runs.

Touch fuller and on off, takes pace off, Travis Head drives it on the up but straight to cover.

FOUR! Top shot! Back of a length and around middle, Travis Head backs away to access the off side. He extends his arms, stays on top and punches it sweetly between mid off and extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! Poor delivery and rightly punished! Short of a length and angling down the leg side, Travis Head gets inside the line of it and helps it over short fine for a boundary.

Not the most fiery start, given SRH's standards, but you can sense that both Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head are itching to go big. Here's Rasikh Salam, replacing Josh Hazlewood in the attack.

Good keeping! Jitesh Sharma has already saved a couple of boundaries. A slower one, full and on leg, Travis Head looks to glance it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls behind. Jitesh dives to his right and parries it towards short fine leg. They cross.

Bhuvi sees the batter back away again, serves this full and around leg, giving no room. Abhishek Sharma flicks it towards mid-wicket for another run.

Fuller and on middle and leg, shaping in, Travis Head works it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket for a run.

Follows the batter, lands this back of a length and down the leg side, Abhishek Sharma backs away but gets cramped up and tucks it to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Two in two! Good length and around middle this time, Abhishek Sharma once again picks it up nicely and whips it in front of square on the leg side for another boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Full and on the pads, Abhishek Sharma brings his wrists into play and flicks it away. He hits it aerially wide of deep square leg, where Krunal Pandya moves to his right but the ball bounces past his outstretched right hand over the fence.

FOUR! Up and over! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, takes pace off. Travis Head reads it early, transfers the weight on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Much fuller and on the leg stump line, Travis Head drives it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid on.

Hard-length delivery around off, Abhishek Sharma runs it down to deep third for a run.

Short of a length and outside off, Travis Head cuts it away to deep backward point for a single.

Hits the deck, hard, on middle, nips back in, Travis Head gets cramped up and tucks it to the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood begins with a back-of-a-length delivery, on middle, Travis Head heaves it away towards deep mid-wicket. Venkatesh Iyer, in the deep, covers a lot of ground to his right and slides to make a good stop. He flicks the ball to the incoming fielder from square to keep it down to two runs.

A brisk start from SRH, nothing surprising. It will be Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Abhishek Sharma digs it down the pitch as the ball rolls towards mid off. 13 runs off the first over!

SIX! BANG! The fun has already started in Hyderabad. Bhuve keeps the length fuller and just around off. Abhishek Sharma clears his front leg, hits it through the line to dispatch it over the wide long off fence for a biggie.

Pitched up and on the pads, Travis Head clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Lands this on a good length, bowls it much closer to the off stump, Travis Head stays back and keeps it out.

FOUR! First runs off the bat! Back of a length and outside off, shapes away, Travis Head gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for the first boundary of the game.

TWO WIDES! Full again and on middle and leg, shaping into the leg side, Abhishek Sharma fails to glance it away. Jitesh Sharma puts in a full-length dive to his right, gets some gloves on it to make a half-stop. A wide and a bye taken. SRH are underway with extras.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts with a full delivery, on off, shaping away a bit, Abhishek Sharma drives it firmly but straight to cover.

All in readiness for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle, as Virat Kohli leads the RCB players in a huddle, before they spread out on the field. The pairing of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, or as they are more fondly called, 'Travishek,' will open the innings for the Sunrisers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will get proceedings underway with the ball against his former side. Let's play...

Impact Player options for RCB - Tim David, Kanishk Chouhan, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, and Jordan Cox.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Rasikh Salam.

Impact Player options for SRH - Aniket Verma, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, and Harshal Patel.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Ravichandran Smaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (C), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, and Sakib Hussain.

The skipper of RCB - Rajat Patidar says that wherever they go, it feels like a home ground. Adds that it doesn't matter where they are on the points table, you need to give your best. He further adds that when you play at such a high level in a tournament like this, and if you want to win the championship, you need to tick all boxes. Mentions that they have one change in the side. Jacob Bethell picked up an injury to his finger, and he (Patidar) replaces Bethell in the lineup.

Tha captain of SRH - Pat Cummins says that it is a long shot getting the top two but they will give it a crack. Adds that they want to try a few different things but he wants the boys to enjoy the game. Cummins mentions that they will get good preparation in this game before it starts getting a bit more serious. Informs they are playing the same combination from the last game.

TOSS - We are all set for the toss. Ravi Shastri is adjudicating proceedings in the middle. The two skippers - Pat Cummins and Rajat Patidar are out in the middle as well. Cummins flips the coin, and Patidar calls incorrectly. Sunrisers Hyderabad will BAT first.

RCB camp looks happy - The players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru can be seen in a huddle, with the returning Phil Salt leading the talks. Will we see him back in action today? Or will he directly feature in the playoffs? We will get to know pretty soon, as the toss is coming up next.

Let's hear from RCB's Devdutt Padikkal - Devdutt mentions that in this season, he is experiencing the positive results of a long-term improvement process driven by minor technical adjustments he started last year. Padikkal adds that the key to his success has been his hard work and mental toughness. On improving his ball striking, Devdutt reckons that he has been training in a manner where he is prepared to take the bowler on from the first ball and that has worked for him this season. Devdutt concludes by saying that batting with Virat has helped him a lot as Kohli's masterful pacing, deep understanding of innings management, and perfect control over the match tempo provide immense support to Padikkal at the other end.

PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik is pitchside. He says that it is a battle of supremacy. Adds that one side of the ground is very small at 63 meters, while the other square boundary is 68 meters, and the straight hit is 75 meters. Says that the average score in the last two seasons has been 218. He also jokingly compares the surface to his bald head, noticing that there is not a single blade of grass on it. Michael Clarke joins him and says that he feels sorry for the bowlers, as this is an absolute belter. Mentions that there is no grass on it, it looks even and there will be good carry and bounce for the batters to hit through the line. He reckons there will not be much spin and the only thing the bowlers can use is variations, angles and the wide lines. He still expects it to be a high-scoring affair. Kartik ends by saying that 4 out of 6 matches here have been won by teams batting first.

Grand finale prelude - This contest breathes a nervous energy in the air for what could either be an absolute run-feast or a highly tactical, chess-like battle between two elite coaching brains. For SRH to make a dash for the top two, they would need a huge win. If they bat first, the margin of victory will have to be around 87-89 runs, depending on the total set by them. Conversely, if SRH chase,  they would need to reach a target, be it 121 or 181, in about 11 overs. We will bring you the actual numbers as the game goes on, but for now, SRH are up against it. With both teams loaded with world-class match-winners and strategic depth, this game serves as the perfect dress rehearsal for the upcoming playoffs. Stay tuned for toss and team news.

Defending champions on top - The visiting Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrive with the proud distinction of being the very first team to qualify for the 2026 playoffs. Sitting confidently at the pole position, the defending champions have put together such a dominant season that even a marginal defeat in this fixture will keep them securely at the top of the table. RCB’s X-factor has been their ability to win high-pressure crunch moments, driven by a miserly bowling unit and a batting order that fires in perfect unison. Although Virat Kohli’s opening partner, Jacob Bethell, has struggled to find his fluent best, the rest of the unit has stepped up exemplarily. For instance, Venkatesh Iyer slotted in for Rajat Patidar in the previous match and immediately smashed a match-winning half-century. However, the champions will still look to iron out minor top-order inconsistencies before entering the high-stakes playoffs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's formidable surge - Sunrisers Hyderabad enter this contest control of their own destiny, an impressive feat achieved after enduring the entire first half of the season without their regular talisman, Pat Cummins. Undeterred by his absence, the Orange Army steadfastly maintained their ultra-aggressive brand of cricket, consistently dismantling opposition bowling attacks with a terrifyingly explosive batting lineup that strikes fear into opponents. This destructive batting unit relies heavily on the roaring form of Heinrich Klaasen, whose explosive performances in the middle order keep bowlers under perpetual threat and provide a massive psychological boost to the team. The dynamic pace quartet of Cummins, Malinga, Sakib, and Hinge has hit peak form simultaneously to deliver lethal opening spells and restrictive death-overs execution. Meanwhile, Shivang Kumar masterfully spins a web around batters in the middle overs to choke the run flow, giving the disciplined and destructive Orange Army a formidable edge on their home turf.

Clash of the Titans - Welcome, cricket fans, to a blockbuster encounter in Match 67 of the Indian Premier League 2026, where the high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad host the formidable Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Both powerhouse franchises have already shattered the qualification barrier and secured their playoff berths, yet this final league encounter remains intensely critical. The coveted top two spots on the points table are still mathematically up for grabs. Finishing in this elite bracket rewards a team with two distinct shots at reaching the grand finale via Qualifier 1, ensuring a crucial safety net if they encounter a rare off-day in the knockout stages.

... MATCH DAY ...

Race for the top in Hyderabad - The league stage of IPL 2026 is almost done, but the battle for the top two is still wide open. Match 67 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium brings together two sides already through to the playoffs, but with far bigger ambitions still left to chase. A win for Royal Challengers Bengaluru will confirm a top-of-the-table finish and, with it, two shots at reaching the final. Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, know that depending on Gujarat Titans' result, victory here could also propel them into the top two and hand them that crucial extra lifeline in the playoffs. There is also unfinished business involved. Earlier this season, RCB stormed into Hyderabad and chased down 202 in just 15.4 overs, one of the most brutal chases of the campaign. SRH will want revenge in front of the Orange Army, while Bengaluru will look to complete the double and carry winning momentum into the knockouts. Travishek setting Hyderabad ablaze - Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting has revolved around the explosive opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, better known as 'Travishek'. Together, they have piled on 874 runs and smashed 60 sixes this season, giving SRH the kind of starts few teams have been able to contain. Ishan Kishan has blown a bit hot and cold, but even then, he is striking at a staggering 179.48 and comes into this clash after a match-winning knock against Chennai Super Kings. Yet, the most reliable batter for Hyderabad has undoubtedly been Heinrich Klaasen. The South African has been sensational, leading the scoring charts for SRH with 555 runs while averaging a remarkable 50.45. Salil Arora has added late firepower down the order, while Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round contributions continue to be invaluable, giving balance to the side with both bat and ball. Youth stepping up - The return of Pat Cummins has added calmness and authority back into the Hyderabad bowling attack. His leadership and understanding of conditions were on full display against CSK, where he picked up three crucial wickets exactly when his side needed breakthroughs. But the real success story has been the rise of the younger bowlers. Eshan Malinga has emerged as SRH's leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps and has been especially lethal at the death. Alongside him, the young duo of Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge have completely transformed Hyderabad's attack, combining for 25 wickets and consistently striking through the middle overs. Shivang Kumar, meanwhile, has quietly done an excellent job in the spin department with his control and discipline. The team everyone's chasing - Royal Challengers Bengaluru have looked like the most complete side in IPL 2026. Despite a few stumbles, they have lost only four games all season and continue to set the benchmark heading into the playoffs. Once again, Virat Kohli has led from the front. The former skipper has amassed 542 runs, including four fifties and an unbeaten century, anchoring innings while still maintaining tempo. Devdutt Padikkal has enjoyed one of his finest IPL campaigns as well, averaging 37.45, while Rajat Patidar and Tim David have brought sheer destruction through the middle order, both striking at over 190. Patidar missed the previous game with Jitesh Sharma stepping in as captain, but RCB will hope their skipper is fit to return for such a crucial clash. One area still slightly unsettled is the opening slot alongside Kohli. Since Phil Salt's injury, Jacob Bethell hasn't quite managed to make the impact expected of him, and with Salt likely available for the playoffs, this could be Bethell's final opportunity to fire. Venkatesh Iyer, though, made the most of his opportunity in the last game with a brilliant knock, while Krunal Pandya's all-round value has been one of the defining factors behind Bengaluru's consistency this season. They would still like a little more impact from Romario Shepherd in both departments. Experience and control with the ball - RCB's bowling attack has quietly become one of the strongest in the tournament. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has turned back the clock spectacularly, picking up 24 wickets while maintaining a superb economy of just 7.70. Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam have played the perfect supporting roles with 12 wickets each, constantly chipping away at opposition line-ups. Suyash Sharma, meanwhile, has been highly effective through the middle overs, using his spin variations brilliantly on slower surfaces. It is this balance, power with the bat and control with the ball, that has made Bengaluru such a dangerous side this season. Team form (Last 5 completed IPL matches, most recent first) - SRH - WLWLW | RCB - WWWLL. Conditions and the rivalry - The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has once again produced high-scoring encounters this season, and with two batting-heavy sides colliding, another run-fest could well be on the cards. The Powerplay battle may decide everything, especially with both teams relying heavily on explosive starts. Historically, SRH hold a slight 14-12 edge in the head-to-head record, but RCB have won the last meeting in emphatic fashion. Now Hyderabad have the chance to hit back at home, while Bengaluru aim to march into the playoffs as the undisputed team to beat. Two playoff-bound sides. One massive opportunity. And perhaps a final statement before the knockout stage begins.