As the IPL 2025 league phase nears its dramatic conclusion, Match 65 sees Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, May 23. This clash, originally scheduled to be played in Bengaluru, was shifted due to persistent adverse weather in South India.
Despite the logistical shift, the stakes remain high — for RCB, a top-two finish is within reach. For SRH, it’s a matter of pride and disruption — a chance to play spoilsport and bow out of the competition on a high note.
RCB enter this fixture with momentum and clarity. With 17 points in the bag, they’ve already sealed their playoff berth, courtesy of the Gujarat Titans’ win over Delhi Capitals. Now, skipper Rajat Patidar and his side are aiming for nothing less than second place, which would give them two shots at the final — a luxury every playoff-bound team covets.
RCB have shown strong intent in recent weeks. The top-order, led by the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, has been churning out consistent runs, while the bowling unit has tightened up just in time. Kohli’s purple patch — four consecutive fifty-plus scores — has galvanized the side. With 505 runs in his last 11 games, the 36-year-old is not just in form; he’s in control.
Supporting Kohli at the top is English opener Phil Salt, with the middle order bolstered by hard-hitting names like Tim David and all-rounder Romario Shepherd. Krunal Pandya has been handy with both bat and ball, and spearheading the pace attack is veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Rasikh Salam and Yash Dayal providing back-up.
For the Sunrisers, the story is different. Eliminated from playoff contention, Pat Cummins’ team is now looking to end on a positive note. Their win over Lucknow Super Giants in the previous game gave them some confidence, and they’ll be hoping to carry that into this clash against a higher-ranked side.
While the 2025 season didn’t quite pan out the way SRH would have hoped, they’ve had individual moments of brilliance. Heinrich Klaasen has played the role of the aggressor in the middle overs, while Abhishek Sharma continues to mature as a dependable top-order batter.
Captain Pat Cummins has led from the front, especially in pressure situations. Though wicketless against LSG, he bowled tight overs at the death and showed why he’s considered one of the most dependable pacers in world cricket. With 13 wickets this season, he’ll be key if SRH want to keep Kohli and Co. in check.
The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is known for its large boundaries and slower pitch conditions. The average first innings score here this season is 167, and teams often struggle to clear the ropes regularly. However, with dew playing a role in the second half, teams batting second might have an advantage — especially if the surface flattens out.
Targeting a 180+ score batting first should be the ideal strategy, but bowling first is likely to be preferred given the conditions under lights.
Predicted Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Yash Dayal
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga
Impact Player: Atharva Taide
Key Players to Watch
Best Batter – Virat Kohli (RCB):
Kohli’s experience and current form make him the most dangerous player in this encounter. He has the temperament and skill to anchor an innings or accelerate when needed. With a strong record against SRH historically, he’s expected to lead from the front.
Best Bowler – Pat Cummins (SRH):
The Aussie quick has been SRH’s most consistent performer with the ball. His ability to deliver yorkers in the death overs and extract bounce from slow pitches gives him an edge. Expect him to be SRH’s go-to man.
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 24
- RCB Wins: 11
- SRH Wins: 12
- No Result: 1
The rivalry is almost even, with SRH holding a slight edge. However, RCB won the most recent encounter in April 2024, and given their current form, they’ll back themselves to level the ledger.
Match Prediction
Given the pitch, weather conditions, and the presence of dew, the toss will play a critical role. Whichever team wins the toss is likely to bowl first — and hold the edge. However, with Kohli in red-hot form and RCB eyeing a top-two finish, they go into this match as clear favorites.
Winner Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win and take one step closer to the IPL 2025 final.