The IPL 2025 league phase is reaching its climax, and all eyes are now on the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 65. Set to be held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, May 23, this encounter promises to deliver plenty of action despite being a contest between a playoff-bound team and an eliminated side.
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, sits comfortably in second place with 17 points. They have already sealed qualification for the playoffs, thanks to the Gujarat Titans beating the Delhi Capitals. However, the job isn’t done yet. Finishing in the top two is critical for getting a second chance at the final via Qualifier 1. Hence, RCB will come in full force.
For SRH, this is a game of pride. Eliminated from the playoff race earlier, the 2024 runners-up will now look to spoil the party for others. With no pressure and a recent win under their belt, Pat Cummins’ side will be aiming to end their campaign on a high.
Let’s dive into the full match breakdown and prediction.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had an impressive second half of the IPL 2025 season. Their campaign looked wobbly in the early weeks, but a strong turnaround, led by a rejuvenated Virat Kohli, has propelled them into the top tier. RCB are on a four-match winning streak, and they’re peaking at the right time. With two matches to go, a victory against SRH could bring them closer to securing a top-two finish, something they’ve rarely achieved in IPL history.
RCB’s batting has been their strongest suit, especially with Virat Kohli’s form and useful contributions from Phil Salt, Tim David, and Rajat Patidar. Their bowling, although not lethal, has been consistent enough with the likes of Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam stepping up in crunch moments.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign never really took off. Despite entering the season with a well-rounded squad and coming off a finals appearance last year, they’ve underperformed. Captain Pat Cummins has had a decent season with the ball, and Abhishek Sharma has shone in patches, but the team lacked collective consistency.
SRH defeated Lucknow Super Giants in their previous match and will be keen to play the role of party spoilers. The change in venue — from Bengaluru to Lucknow due to rain threats — could play into SRH's hands, considering the bowler-friendly nature of the Ekana Stadium.
Match Details:
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Match 65, IPL 2025
Venue: BRSABV Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
Live Broadcast: JioStar Network, Sports18
Streaming: JioHotstar (App & Website)
The Ekana Stadium pitch in Lucknow is unlike most batting-friendly surfaces in the IPL. It’s slow and two-paced, making stroke play difficult, especially in the first innings. The average first-innings score here this season has hovered around 167, and teams need to aim for at least 180-190 to feel safe.
Spinners and medium pacers who take the pace off the ball have found great success here. However, dew in the second innings often makes bowling harder, tilting the balance in favour of the chasing team.
Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2025): 167
Matches Played in IPL 2025 at Ekana: 6
Matches Won Batting First: 2
Matches Won Chasing: 4
Conditions: 70% chance of dew in the second innings
This rivalry has produced some memorable encounters over the years, including the 2016 final, where SRH edged RCB to lift their first IPL title. Historically, it's been evenly matched.
Total Matches Played: 24
RCB Wins: 11
SRH Wins: 12
Tied: 0
No Result: 1
First Match: April 7, 2013
Last Match: April 25, 2024
SRH hold a narrow edge overall, but RCB have won 3 of their last 4 meetings.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
1. Virat Kohli
2. Phil Salt
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Rajat Patidar (C)
5. Jitesh Sharma (WK)
6. Tim David
7. Romario Shepherd
8. Krunal Pandya
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Rasikh Salam
11. Yash Dayal
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Ishan Kishan (WK)
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy
4. Heinrich Klaasen
5. Aniket Verma
6. Kamindu Mendis
7. Pat Cummins (C)
8. Harshal Patel
9. Harsh Dubey
10. Zeeshan Ansari
11. Eshan Malinga
Impact Player: Atharva Taide
Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli (RCB)
There’s no stopping King Kohli right now. The former RCB captain has scored 505 runs in 11 matches this season and is eyeing the Orange Cap. He’s coming off four consecutive half-centuries, and on a challenging pitch like Lucknow’s, his technical prowess and patience could be decisive.
IPL 2025 Stats: 505 runs in 11 innings
Average: 63.12
Strike Rate: 145.75
50+ Scores: 6
Probable Best Bowler: Pat Cummins (SRH)
Despite SRH’s underwhelming campaign, Cummins has led from the front with the ball. With 13 wickets in 12 matches, his ability to bowl tight spells in the middle and death overs has stood out. He’ll be key to restricting RCB on a slow surface.
IPL 2025 Stats: 13 wickets in 12 matches
Best Figures: 3/18
Economy: 7.40
Scenario 1: RCB bat first
RCB Powerplay Score: 50-60
RCB Total Score: 175-185
Prediction: SRH to win
On a pitch where setting a total is tricky, SRH might chase this down with nothing to lose and a free-flowing attitude.
Scenario 2: SRH bat first
SRH Powerplay Score: 45-55
SRH Total Score: 160-170
Prediction: RCB to win
RCB’s in-form top order and composure under pressure should see them chase a modest target with ease.
Based on pitch behaviour and recent trends at Ekana Stadium, the team bowling first will have a definite advantage, thanks to dew and the difficult nature of defending totals here. RCB’s better form and motivation to seal a top-two finish give them a slight edge, but don’t underestimate SRH playing without pressure.
Expect a tight contest with RCB likely to hold their nerve.
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