Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad 65th Match Preview & Prediction

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Current Form
• Head-to-Head Record
• Team Compositions
• Pitch and Weather Conditions
• Key Battles
• Prediction

Introduction

The 65th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23, 2025, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Scheduled to commence at 10:00 PM, this encounter pits a playoff-bound RCB side against an eliminated SRH team. For RCB, currently second in the points table, a victory could solidify their position among the top two, offering a strategic edge in the playoffs. Meanwhile, SRH will aim to salvage pride and potentially disrupt RCB’s momentum. This preview analyzes both teams’ strengths and simulates the match outcome based on available data.

Match Info

• Match:RCB vs SRH, 65th Match, Indian Premier League 2025
• DatSRHe:Friday, May 23, 2025
• Time:10:00 PM
• Venue:M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

IPL 2025 – Points Table

Position	Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	NR	Points	NRR	Status
1	GT	12	9	3	0	0	18	+0.795	Qualified
2	RCB	12	8	3	0	1	17	+0.482	Qualified
3	PBKS	12	8	3	0	1	17	+0.389	Qualified
4	MI	12	7	5	0	0	14	+1.156
5	DC	12	6	5	0	1	13	+0.260
6	KKR	13	5	6	0	2	12	+0.193	Eliminated
7	LSG	12	5	7	0	0	10	-0.506	Eliminated
8	SRH	12	4	7	0	1	9	-1.005	Eliminated
9	RR	13	3	10	0	0	6	-0.701	Eliminated
10	CSK	12	3	9	0	0	6	-0.992	Eliminated

Current Form

RCB enters the contest in scintillating form, boasting four consecutive victories in their last five outings, with one match abandoned due to rain. Their recent results include:

• May 17, 2025: RCB vs KKR – Match abandoned.
• May 03, 2025: RCB vs CSK – Won by 2 runs.
• April 27, 2025: RCB vs DC – Won by 6 wickets (9 balls remaining).
• April 24, 2025: RCB vs RR – Won by 11 runs.
• April 20, 2025: RCB vs PBKS – Won by 7 wickets (7 balls remaining).

This winning streak underscores RCB’s consistency and resilience across batting and bowling departments.

SRH, conversely, has displayed inconsistency, recording two wins, two losses, and one no-result in their last five matches:

• May 19, 2025: SRH vs LSG – Won by 6 wickets (10 balls remaining).
• May 05, 2025: SRH vs DC – No result.
• May 02, 2025: SRH vs GT – Lost by 38 runs.
• April 25, 2025: SRH vs CSK – Won by 5 wickets (8 balls remaining).
• April 23, 2025: SRH vs MI – Lost by 7 wickets (26 balls remaining).

SRH’s mixed performances highlight vulnerabilities that RCB could exploit.

Head-to-Head Record

In their last five encounters, RCB holds a slight edge over SRH with three wins to two:

• RCB won by 35 runs.
• SRH won by 25 runs.
• RCB won by 8 wickets (4 balls remaining).
• RCB won by 67 runs.
• SRH won by 9 wickets (72 balls remaining).

While the rivalry remains competitive, RCB’s recent dominance, including a convincing 35-run victory in their latest clash, gives them a psychological advantage.

Team Compositions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB’s squad blends experience with dynamism:

• Key Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Philip Salt, Tim David, Mayank Agarwal.
• All-Rounders: Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd.
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma.

Virat Kohli’s consistency anchors the batting, while captain Rajat Patidar provides stability. The pace attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is complemented by spin options like Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, offering versatility.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

SRH relies on explosive batting and a potent bowling unit:

• Key Batsmen: Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan.
• All-Rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wiaan Mulder.
• Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Jaydev Unadkat.

Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head form a formidable batting core, with Abhishek Sharma adding aggression. The bowling, spearheaded by Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami, possesses the quality to challenge RCB’s lineup.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a batsman’s paradise, characterized by a flat pitch and short boundaries that favor high-scoring games. Historically, teams batting second benefit from dew in night matches, easing chases. On May 23, 2025, Bengaluru’s weather is expected to be warm with minimal rain risk, ensuring a full 40-over contest. These conditions suggest a run-fest, placing pressure on both bowling units.

Key Battles

• Virat Kohli vs Pat Cummins: Kohli’s technical prowess and adaptability will face a stern test from Cummins’ pace and bounce. This matchup could dictate RCB’s batting momentum.
• Travis Head vs Josh Hazlewood: Both Australians, Head’s aggressive strokeplay meets Hazlewood’s precision, making this a pivotal contest that could shape SRH’s innings.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Klaasen’s power-hitting against Kumar’s swing and variations could be decisive in the middle overs.

Prediction

To simulate this match, we consider multiple factors:

• Form: RCB’s four-match winning streak (W W W W A) outshines SRH’s inconsistent run (L W L NR W W).
• Points Table: RCB’s 17 points and +0.482 NRR reflect their dominance, while SRH’s 9 points and -1.005 NRR indicate struggles.
• Head-to-Head: RCB’s 3-2 edge in recent meetings favors them.
• Venue: Playing at home, RCB benefits from familiarity with Chinnaswamy’s conditions.
• Squad Strength: RCB’s balanced batting and bowling slightly overshadow SRH’s reliance on key individuals.

Given the batting-friendly pitch, a high-scoring encounter is likely. RCB’s depth, with Kohli, Patidar, and Salt, could post or chase a total around 200. Their bowling, featuring Hazlewood and Kumar, has the variety to restrict SRH’s aggressive batsmen. SRH, while dangerous with Klaasen, Head, and Cummins, lacks the consistency to counter RCB’s momentum.

Accounting for T20’s unpredictability, RCB’s superior form, home advantage, and motivation to secure a top-two finish tilt the scales. Thus, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are predicted to win the 65th match of IPL 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.