Aiden Markram:
I thought we batted pretty well but did not maximise. Maybe we left a few runs out there, in the powerplay. Can’t be on the winning side for Heinrich, who batted brilliantly today. The support was awesome not just for us but for RCB as well. Pity we couldn’t give them a win. But thanks to them. (Mindset coming into the last game) We are still sportsmen and hate losing, wanted to go away with a smile but they were much better. Faf and Kohli killed the game.
We still hung in there and weren’t too far off at the end. (On his bowling options) We had a look at few guys which is good for the future. Probably one less option in the powerplay but the guys tried their best but execution let them down here and there with Faf and Kohli in full flow. Someone like Nitish was very impressive even if the figures don’t reflect it. Klaasen hasn’t had the easiest path, he wouldn’t have dreamt of it. Great knock for him personally even though it didn’t end with a win.
Faf du Plessis:
Amazing chase. We felt it was a good wicket walking off and that 200 was the par score despite Klaasen’s ton. Not too many balls that spun or stuck on the wicket so we wanted to play positively. We were clinical with the bat today and ball last game. Kohli and I complement each other well, hit different areas and are good mates on and off well which works for us. Taking the momentum home is key. Away conditions are tough. Chinnaswamy will be amazing for another must-win game for us.
Virat Kohli, POTM:
Quite special considering the magnitude of the game. We saw the ball was gripping in the middle. We wanted a solid start but did not expect to be 172 for no loss. That’s how well Faf and I have played, he’s been on a different level. I had a quiet couple of games and wasn’t hitting as well in the game as I was in the nets. My intent from ball 1 was to go after the bowlers. There was a dip but I wanted to take it up in the right time. Happy that it all came together nicely. I never look at my numbers. I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes for playing impact knocks. I take pride to play the situation. I don’t play fancy shots.
We have to play 12 months of the year, so you can’t play fancy shots and throw your wicket away. I try to stay true to my technique and take pride which helps my team. (On why Faf and him work) I think it’s the tattoos. Very similar to how AB and me batting together. There’s a good sense of where we are and how to take the game forward. It’s been a beautiful transition. Blessed and grateful for the support. I told Faf that it was like a home game, cheering for RCB and taking my name as well. I feel you can’t create this. I’m myself on the field and think it resonates with the people. Great to see people happy when I perform.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Highlights today, Thursday 18-5-2023. 65th Match (N), Indian Premier League 2023, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad.
Faf du Plessis:
Last two nights, there’s been a bit of dew. Hopefully ball will come on better. Same team. Bracewell strengthens the batting and he’s a nice change for us. We have to start fresh and do the basics right with humility. (Upon being asked about Hasaranga and Hazlewood, Faf mentioned ‘he’s got a little bit of a niggle in his heel and tried to get an injection to see if it helps but he’s not 100% there’ without specifying who it was)
Aiden Markram:
We would’ve looked to bat ourselves, our bowlers have been our stronger suit. Couple of changes: Harry Brook comes back in, Kartik Tyagi and Nitish, the debutant, are in. (About Umran Malik) Not too sure to be honest. Certainly he’s a player with the X factor, bowls at 150kph, but I don’t really what’s about behind the scenes but he has a lot of X factor.. Lots of pride to play for. Guys are full of energy and determination.
Toss: RCB chose to field.
Royal Challengers Bangalore team: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Michael Bracewell, Anuj Rawat †, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.
Sunrisers Hyderabad team: Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen †, Harry Brook, Glenn Phillips, Abdul Samad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kartik Tyagi, Mayank Dagar, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Head to Head In T20’s: 21
Royal Challengers Bangalore Won: 9
Sunrisers Hyderabad Won: 12
Form guide
(last five completed Matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLLWL
Sunrisers Hyderabad LLWLW
Match Timings: 2:00 PM GMT | 7:30 PM Local
Umpires – Bruce Oxenford, Virender Sharma
TV Umpire – Saiyed Khalid
Match Referee – Javagal Srinath
Reserve Umpire – VM Dhokre
Match number – IPL 2023 – 65th Match
IPL Points Table
Pitch and weather:
It’s the centre strip and the boundaries are in the mid-60-metre range. It’s been a high-scoring pitch. Aaron Finch says it’s even and there’s not a blade of grass, and that it’s on the drier side. It has been watered but the hot weather has meant it has cracked up a bit. He adds the powerplay is big for the batters. He reckons it’s a win the toss and bat first pitch. Deep Dasgupta says dew might not be a big factor and the pitch might offer some turn and grip.
