Sunrisers Hyderabad   is poised to host Royal Challengers Bangalore  in Match Number 41 of the Tata IPL 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The last clash between these two teams turned into a historic run-fest, with a staggering 549 runs scored, setting a record for the highest aggregate in T20 history.

Sunrisers Hyderabad comes into this match with strong momentum, having won five of their seven games and sitting third in the points table. They boast the highest total of this IPL season at 287 runs. In contrast, Royal Challengers Bangalore find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the standings, having lost seven games. Despite their struggles, RCB posted the highest total in a losing effort this season (262 runs), and Virat Kohli leads the tournament in runs, wearing the Orange Cap with 379 runs from eight games.

Royal  Challengers Bengaluru's main concern has been their bowling, as they have secured the fewest wickets in the tournament—only 34 in eight games—highlighting a critical area in need of improvement if they are to reverse their fortunes. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad has been formidable in their batting, hitting a season-high 99 sixes in just seven games.

As these teams prepare to face off once again, the key question is whether Sunrisers will continue their explosive batting performance or if RCB’s bowlers will rise to the challenge and curb the high-flying Sunrisers. The match promises to be an exciting encounter with high stakes for both teams.

Head-To-Head in IPL:
In as many as 24 games contested between the two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 13 games while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have managed to win 10 games. One game ended in no-result.

Potential Contenders for T20 World Cup:
Abhishek Sharma has emerged as a strong contender for a spot in Team India for this World Cup, amassing an impressive 968 runs across 28 innings in T20s since IPL 2023, averaging 35, and striking at over 183. His explosive ability to score quickly from the start makes him a particularly appealing option for selectors. Additionally, Abhishek's versatility is enhanced by his capability to bowl when required, adding valuable balance to the team. 

Milestones Alert  :

1 - SRH (99) as a team needs one six to complete 100 sixes in IPL 2024.
1 - Faf du Plessis (399) needs one fours to complete 400 IPL fours.
3 - Dinesh Karthik (297) needs three dismissals to complete 300 dismissals in T20s..
5 - Natarajan (95) needs five wickets to complete 100 T20 Wickets.
50 - Pat Cummins is all set to play his 50th IPL game 
63 - Faf du Plessis (1437) needs 63 runs to complete 1500 runs for RCB in IPL.
65 - Aiden Markram (935) needs 65 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs.
80 - Travis Head (2920) needs 80 runs to complete 3000 runs in T20s.
100 - Jaydev Unadkat is gonna play his 100th IPL game 
250 - RCB is all set to play their 250th IPL game  

Key Battles to Watch Out For :
 

Records Created and Broken by SRH in TATA IPL 2024  :
 

Pitch Report |Samuel Badree and Simon Katich:

Badree: "In the IPL 2024, it's Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a crucial match for RCB. We're back at Hyderabad's pitch number 2, where a massive 277 was scored against Mumbai Indians. The ground dimensions: 63m on the right, 66m on the left, and 76m straight down. Can we expect 300 tonight?"

Katich: " Absolutely! Though slightly rough, SRH is in top form, and this pitch looks perfect for batting. Expect fireworks like the 38 Sixes in the MI match. RCB showed promise against KKR, with Jacks and Patidar impressing. Can their bowlers contain SRH's powerhouse lineup?"

Badree: "Last time these teams clashed, they set a record with 549 runs. Will we see more records tumble tonight?"

TOSS UPDATE :   WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BAT    

Faf du Plessis (RCB Captain): "Opting to bat first tonight. Despite being away, we feel the support from our fans. They've been in good form, so we aim to set a challenging total and build scoreboard pressure. We've shown resilience in recent games and aim to continue that momentum. No changes in our lineup."

Pat Cummins (SRH Captain): "Exciting to be back home after a series of away games. The support from the fans, both offline and online, is overwhelming. Regardless of batting first or second, we'll maintain our aggressive approach. Our bowlers have adapted well to the conditions, and tonight, we aim for some quick bowling."