RCB, who are on 14 points, need to win at least one of their two remaining matches to qualify. If they lose both their matches, they will need a lot of other things to go their way to make the play-offs. They also need to ensure that their run rate is superior to the others if multiple teams end on 14 points.
In contrast, SRH need to win both their remaining matches and pray all the other permutations and combinations fall into place. Hyderabad have 10 points from 12 matches, and will end on 14 points if they win both their remaining games. Even if SRH end on 14 points, at least one of RC, DC and KXIP must not reach 16 points for SRH to qualify. Even in that case, SRH will need their run rate to be superior to others.
RCB have suffered demoralising defeats against MI and CSK. Their batting has done well with Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, AB de Villiers are doing well. Shivam Dube and Gurkeerat Mann need to do better. In the bowling department, Dale Steyn was expensive replacing the injured Navdeep Saini.
SRH go in having handed DC a 88-run thrashing. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been exceptional right through while Wriddhiman Saha, David Warner and Manish Pandey sizzled with the bat in the last game. T. Natarajan has been impressive with his pace as well.
Head-to-Head Record: SRH have a slender 8-7 lead over RCB
RCB Predicted XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Phillippe, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh, Isuru Udana, Chris Morris, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj
SRH Predicted XI: David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan and Sandeep Sharma
PItch Report
The Sharjah surface has got slower. Runs scoring is not as easy. Totals are getting smaller.
Weather conditions
Being an evening game, temperature will be in the mid to high 20s.
--Renin Wilben