Formidable Hyderabad face struggling Bangalore

TheRCB are struggling for survival as they need to win every game and also hope that other results go in their favour.

A consistent Sunrisers Hyderabad unit would look to consolidate its position at the top of the points table while Royal Challengers Bangalore will fight for survival when the two teams clash in the Indian Premier League here on Monday.

Courtesy their splendid bowling attack, SRH emerged as good defenders initially but by defeating Delhi Daredevils with a seven-wicket margin on Saturday, they proved that they can pull off tight chases as well.

The hosts have already taken long strides towards a play-offs spot but still there are issues that must be bothering them ahead of the business end of the tournament. Opener Shikhar Dhawan's low strike rate must be a concern for them along with the problem of shaky middle-order.

The Virat Kohli-led RCB, though, are struggling for survival as they need to win every game and also hope that other results go in their favour to remain in contention for the play-offs. They are placed sixth in the table with just three wins from nine games.

Come Monday, Kohli and AB de Villiers will have to weave some magic with their willows to make it tough for SRH. The return of their fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar only strengthens Hyderabad's attack.

For RCB, Parthiv Patel (who scored 53 runs against Chennai) and Brendon McCullum need to provide a strong start and the likes of Mandeep Singh and Colin de Grandhomme have to step up.

Death bowling has been a cause for concern for RCB but they cannot afford to let it remain unchecked.

Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have put up good performances but Hyderabad-lad Mohammad Siraj and Washington Sundar also need to come up with something special.

Meanwhile, Sunrises Hyderabad are enjoying a dream run in the ongoing edition with their bowling attack dominating batsmen of all teams. Spinner Rashid Khan, pacers Siddharth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma, and spin all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, have been very effective.

The SRH's batting department, which had appeared to be inconsistent, seemed to have found its touch as they successfully chased a target of 164 against Delhi.

English batsman Alex Hales, who opened the innings along with Dhawan, has been in good run. SRH Captain Kane Williamson is one of the highest run getters in this edition.