IPL 2026: RCB look to end as league leaders; SRH eye Top 2 spot

Skipper Rajat Patidar during RCB’s practice session in Hyderabad on Thursday; (right) SRH’s Ishan Kishan. Pics/PTI

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will both be eyeing a top-two finish when they square off in their final IPL league match here on Friday.

RCB currently sit atop the points table with 18 points and the best net run-rate (NRR) of 1.065 among the 10 teams. A victory on Friday would guarantee them a first-place finish and two opportunities to reach the final.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, are placed third with 16 points from 13 matches. SRH have an NRR of 0.350 and their best chance of breaking into the Top 2 would be to beat RCB convincingly.

RCB have once again enjoyed an outstanding campaign under skipper Rajat Patidar, blending explosive batting with disciplined bowling to emerge as title contenders for a second successive season.

The talismanic Virat Kohli has continued to redefine consistency at the top of the order, collecting 542 runs from 13 matches, while Devdutt Padikkal has also enjoyed a good season.

The experienced pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood has also played a pivotal role in RCB's success. RCB start as favourites against an inconsistent SRH.

Pat Cummins-led SRH have one of the most destructive batting line-ups, with Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen capable of dismantling any bowling attack.

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SRH vs RCB head-to-head record in their last eight games

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