RCB vs SRH Match Prediction, Fantasy Tips, Pitch Report, and Playing XI of 65th Match of IPL 2025

Indian Premier League 2025, 65th Match played between RCB vs SRH at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, stay updated with ScoreWaves for Indian Premier League 2025, RCB vs SRH 65th Match fantasy tips, Playing 11, Pitch Reports, Fastest cricket score, fastest updates, sports news and more

With just a few league matches left in IPL 2025, the playoff race is no longer about who makes it — it’s all about where they finish. The four playoff teams are already locked in, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) among them. But there’s still plenty to play for. Only a single point separates table-toppers Gujarat Titans from third-placed Punjab Kings, which means the top-two finish is still wide open — and we all know how valuable that second chance in the playoffs can be. 

RCB will be hoping to grab one of those prized top-two spots tonight when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad. Originally scheduled for Bengaluru, the match was moved to Lucknow due to rain forecasts — not ideal, but RCB won’t be too fazed. They’re coming into this one with serious momentum, having won four of their last five matches. The only blemish? A rain-ruled washout against KKR. So, form-wise, they’re flying — and the expectations are high. 

As for SRH, they’ve had a season to forget. A year after finishing as runners-up, they were one of the first teams to be knocked out of the playoff race. Still, they’re not heading into this match empty-handed — their last outing saw them hammer Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets, so they’ll be feeling good. That said, most eyes will be on RCB tonight. They’re chasing more than just a win — they’re chasing a place in the top two, and with the way they’ve been playing, few would bet against them. 

Head-to-Head: RCB vs SRH - Who Holds the Advantage?

RCB and SRH have had some fierce battles over the years, with RCB historically holding the upper hand. With the match being played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, RCB will have the away advantage, and their pace attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal could be a major threat on a supporting track. Their batting lineup, led by Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma Tim David, and Mayank Yadav looks solid. On the other hand, SRH boasts an explosive batting unit, featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aniket Verma. However, their greatest form and some concern with bowling attack, which often struggles in high-scoring encounters. While Mohammed Shami, Pat Commins, and Jaydev Unadkat add depth, they’ll need to handle RCB’s aggressive top order. Given RCB’s superior bowling attack and home conditions, they might start as slight favorites. But SRH’s firepower makes them dangerous, and if their bowling holds up, an upset could be on the cards. Let’s break down their head-to-head record to see who holds the edge ahead of the IPL 2025 match:

Total Matches Played: 25

RCB Wins: 11

SRH Wins: 13

No Result/Abandoned Matches: 1

Despite RCB having the firepower of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, and Mayank Yadav, SRH’s all-around strength and explosive players Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy give them the upper hand in this head-to-head contest. However, it’s always been a close battle, with both sides frequently trading blows in IPL clashes.

Recent Forms of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad:

RCB:  W W W W L 

SRH: W L W L L

Predictions: Who Will Win the Match?

As far as fantasy cricket is concerned, RCB might have the edge with their explosive batting lineup led by Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Mayank Yadav, but SRH’s balanced squad and the presence of all-rounders like Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy make them a formidable opponent. Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with its high-scoring potential, might slightly favor the batting-heavy teams, so expect a run-fest.

Injury Update:

Yes, Team RCB has facing injury issue, Devdutt Padikkal out of the tournament due to finger fracture injury.

Royal challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Match, Date, Time, & Venue: 

Match: RCB vs SRH 65th Match of IPL 2025

Date: 23 May 2025

Time: 7:30 PM 

Stadium: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium   

Location: Lucknow

Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Match Pitch Report:     

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow offers a balanced pitch that challenges both batsmen and bowlers. Early in the match, the surface favors the batsmen, allowing them to play aggressive strokes with good bounce and a solid foundation. A first-innings score between 170-180 runs is generally considered competitive. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, providing assistance to spinners, which can make chasing more difficult. Teams chasing targets around 170-180 runs generally have a fighting chance, but anything above 190-200 can put them under pressure, especially with the slow nature of the pitch in the second innings. Overall, it’s a dynamic surface where both batting and bowling strategies need to adapt to the conditions, and a score around 200+ is often a strong target for the chasing side.

IPL Stats	Value
Total Matches	19
Batting First Won	8
Bowling First Won	10
1st Innings Average Score	167
2nd Innings Average Score	153
Highest Total	235/6 KKR vs LSG
Lowest Total	108/10 LSG vs RCB
Highest Chased	177/2 PBKS vs LSG
Lowest Defended	126/9 RCB vs LSG

Possible Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Swastik Chikara, Rajat Patidar, Romario Shepherd, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal  

Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone

Possible playing 11 for Sunrisers Hyderabad:   

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Zeeshan Ansari, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Eshan Malinga 

Impact Subs: Atharva Taide, Jaydev Unadkat

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Key players:

Phil Salt: DNP, DNP, 26 (23), 1 (3), 4 (4), 65 (33)

Virat Kohli: 62 (33), 51 (47), 70 (42), 73* (54), 1 (3), 62* (45)

Tim David: 2* (3), DNB, 23* (15), DNB, 50* (26), DNB

Kurnal Pandya: 1/24 + DNB, 1/28 + 73*(47), 2/31 + DNB, 2/25 + DNB, 0/10 + 1(2), 1/29 + DNB

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 0/55, 3/33, 1/50, 0/26, 2/26, 1/32

Josh Hezalewood: DNP, 2/36, 2/11, 0/39, 3/18, 1/36

Yash Dayal: 1/41, 1/42, 1/33, 0/22, 0/18, 1/26

Sunrisers Hyderabad Key players:

Abhishek Sharma: 59 (20), 74 (41), 8 (8), 40 (28), 141 (55), 18 (16), 2 (6)

Travish Head: 20(16), 0 (4), 28 (29), 66 (37), 8 (5), 4 (2)

Aniket Verma: 5* (2), 3(7)12 (14), 18 (8), DNB, 18 (14), 6 (6)

Heinrich Klaasen: 47 (28), 23 (18), 71 (44), 37 (28), 21(14), 27 (19), 33 (21)

Pat Commins:  0/34, 1/40 + 19 (10), 0/31, 3/36 + 8(4), 0/40, 1/26, 1/44 + 14(15)

Jaydev Unadkat: DNP3/35, 2/21, 1/21, DNP, DNP 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Fantasy Team:      

Wicketkeepers: Phill, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan kishan

Batsman: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar 

All-rounders:  Kurnal Pandya, Romario Shephard, Abhishek Sharma

Bowlers: Lingi Ndigi,  Yash Dayal, Pat Commins

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Team for Today Match:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:     

Choice 1: Virat Kohli (C),  Kurnal Pandya (VC)      

Choice 2: Abhishek Sharma (C), Yash Dayal (VC)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Fantasy Prediction Backups:   

Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy

Disclaimer:     

The author has provided you with the above-mentioned match prediction on the basis of his research, understanding, and analysis, consider the points and make your own decision

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