IPL 2024: SRH vs RCB Match 41 - Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for another riveting encounter in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). When they met in Bengaluru last week, the game went down in the history books as both teams engaged in merciless hitting. While SRH posted the highest-ever score in IPL history (287/3), RCB, who fell short of 25 runs, took the record for the highest-ever second-innings total in T20 cricket.

It was a dream day for the batters as an aggregate total of 549 - the highest-ever score in a game of T20 - was amassed. Led by the trio of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH have been a dangerous batting unit this season. They are currently third in the points table with five wins from seven matches.

Meanwhile, RCB's playoff qualification chances are almost over after their seventh defeat of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, they have put up a strong fight in the last two matches. Captain Faf du Plessis has returned to form, Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik continue their impressive consistency and Will Jacks looks promising. Expect an exciting affair when the two clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday (April 25).

Also Check: SRH vs RCB MPL Opinio Prediction: Who will win today's match?

Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in IPL 2024: SRH vs RCB, Match 41:

1. Travis Head vs Lockie Ferguson

Travis Head has been the torchbearer of SRH's remarkable run this season. The southpaw scored a hundred in the last match against RCB and followed it up with a rapid 89 against Delhi Capitals. He is in red-hot form and will be aiming to provide another blazing start.

It is difficult to lock Head with the kind of form he is currently in. However, RCB cannot afford another casualty from the Australian and they will rely on Pace Express Lockie Ferguson to do the needful. The Kiwi pacer was the one who dismissed Head in the last match but it was too late. Ferguson will need to strike early to give RCB the upper hand in the upcoming match.

Also Check: Purple Cap in IPL 2024

2. Virat Kohli vs Mayank Markande 

Virat Kohli has been in tremendous form this season, having scored over 370 runs and holding the Orange Cap. He gives RCB a fiery start in the powerplay, but when the spinners join the action, his strike rate dips a bit. The former RCB skipper's weakness for quick scoring against spinners is no secret and Pat Cummins will surely capitalize on that.

Kohli was looking firm with his 19-ball 40 against SRH in their previous encounter. Right after the powerplay, leg-spinner Mayank Markande was introduced and he got rid of the right-handed batter on the second ball. Given this match-up, Cummins might not hesitate to bring in Markande even in the first six overs.

Also Check: Orange Cap in IPL 2024

3. Heinrich Klaasen vs Karn Sharma 

RCB are well aware of the threat posed by Heinrich Klaasen in the middle overs. However, it is not sure what strategies RCB can come up with against him to avoid damage. He is effective against both spinners and fast bowlers, but against the former, he is a beast.

Also Check: SRH vs RCB Dream11 Prediction

Karn Sharma, who played for the first time this season in the last match, is likely to be the victim of Klaasen. The Proteas big-hitter will arrive in the middle stages and the battle will be set up between him and Karn. It will be interesting to see how the veteran leg-spinner fares against Klaasen.