Usually, the surfaces in Lucknow have aided the slower bowlers and the batters have had to adjust to the slowish surfaces. Neither team boasts of a strong spin attack or one suited for slower surfaces.
After a 20-day hiatus, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are back in action, gearing up for Match 65 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) — a contest that was relocated from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow due to persistent rain threats in Bengaluru.
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, are firmly in the race for a top-two finish and would be keen to shake off the rust and consolidate their playoff standing. For SRH, the campaign has already gone off track, but pride and a better finish are still up for grabs in their final two outings. While SRH stunned LSG at this venue earlier in the season chasing 200+, the Ekana Stadium has mostly favored sides batting second with slower pitches and some dew assisting run chases. This unfamiliar ground for both teams could play a significant tactical role.
Match Details: RCB vs SRH
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Date | May 23, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network & JioHotstar |
Ekana Stadium Pitch Report
Historically,a a spin-friendly venue, Lucknow has seen a trend shift in IPL 2025 — six matches here have been won by the chasing side. The pitch starts off slow and two-paced, but becomes better for batting under lights due to dew. Bowlers who vary pace and use cutters effectively have thrived.
Pace vs Spin at Lucknow – IPL 2025
| Type | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacers | 784 | 1267 | 37 | 9.69 | 21.1 |
| Spinners | 605 | 894 | 22 | 8.86 | 27.5 |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Two-paced, aids slower bowlers early on |
| Par First Innings Score | 160-170 |
| Spin Assistance | Moderate – finger spinners do well |
| Boundaries | Square: 66m both sides, Straight: 73m |
| Ideal Strategy | Bowl first; use cutters and slower balls upfront |
RCB vs SRH: Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | RCB Wins | SRH Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 11 | 13 |
Probable XIs: RCB vs SRH
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, Suyash Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Atharva Taide/Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis/Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Nitish Reddy, Pat Cummins (C), Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga
RCB vs SRH Dream11 Fantasy Picks
Wicketkeepers
- Heinrich Klaasen (C/VC) – A standout performer vs RCB (210 runs, Avg 52.50, SR 198.11), can handle both pace and spin.
- Ishan Kishan – Looked composed vs LSG, decent record vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
- Phil Salt – X-factor player, destructive in PowerPlay.
Batters
- Virat Kohli (C/VC) – 762 runs vs SRH, 7 fifties this season; key for RCB.
All-rounders
- Abhishek Sharma (C/VC) – Dynamic at the top, offers value with the ball.
- Krunal Pandya – Effective in slow conditions, flexible role with bat and ball.
- Jacob Bethell – In-form; 55(33) vs CSK recently.
Bowlers
- Pat Cummins – Key PowerPlay and death bowler, also capable with the bat.
- Eshan Malinga – 8 wickets in 5 games, lethal with full deliveries.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Former SRH leader, now spearheading RCB’s pace.
- Yash Dayal – Effective with slower balls, bowls crucial phases.
Key Player Battles
Klaasen vs RCB Bowlers
| Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 210 | 104 | 52.50 | 198.11 | 1/1 |
Ishan Kishan vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar
| Inns | Runs | Balls | Dismissals | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 54 | 33 | 1 | 163.63 |
Virat Kohli vs SRH
| Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 762 | 100 | 36.28 | 140.59 | 5/1 |
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