Sunrisers to sneak win in potential run fest

The first full week of the IPL kicks off with 2018 runners up Sunrisers Hyderabad entertaining Royal Challengers Bangalore. Two teams with highly explosive batsmen shape up in what could be a high scoring battle.

Six or bust

If we were to get an early indication about the way in which the Sunrisers are going to play their cricket this year, the appointment of David Warner as captain, and former England Head Coach Trevor Bayliss made it clear. It would seem that an aggressive approach is the way forward this year for the Sunrisers and with an opening pair of the new skipper and Jonny Bairstow, it is about as aggressive as it can get. Departing captain Kane Williamson, batting at three, will be the glue to keep their innings intact with the big hitters scoring runs quickly around him.

For RCB, a potential top three of Aaron Finch, AB de Villiers and captain Virat Kohli will leave many cricket fans across the world salivating at the thought of how many runs could be scored and more importantly, how many sixes hit! Kohli will be relying on the top order to carry RCB through their matches as their squad follows their normal pattern of being top heavy.

Who can hold their nerve?

In a game that has the potential of being an absolute run fest, it could come down to the bowlers to win this game for either side. RCB boast having the vastly experienced South African quick Dale Steyn in their ranks as well as Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who both have over 100 IPL wickets to their name. Moeen Ali and Chris Morris could prove to be handy support for the bowlers and with the bat scoring some quick runs at the end of the innings, but it is likely that they will be fighting for the same spot in the side.

Trevor Bayliss will be delighted with the bowling options that he has to choose from. Afghani Mystery Spinner Rashid Khan is still bamboozling batsman with his array of deliveries. Khan has taken 17 wickets in his short IPL career so far and has a very tidy economy of just 6.55. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be looking to have another successful campaign with the new ball as he enters his 10^thIPL season. Overseas Aussie pair Billy Stanlake and Mitchell Marsh will be keen to impress if given the chance in this opening match for the Sunrisers.

Match Tip

For me, this is a match that can be won by the bowlers and the team that can put out the most potent bowling attack is the Sunrisers.

We are assuming the availability of the players currently playing in the England vs Australia ODI series, but regardless of whether they are there or not, Sunrisers Hyderabad should have enough to get over the line, in a high scoring match.

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