IPL 2026: SRH vs RCB, Match 67 – Top player battles to watch out for

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 67 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, May 22. This will be the two sides’ last league match of the season, having previously faced each other on the opening day of the current season.

Both SRH and RCB have booked their place in the playoffs, with this game being important for the two sides to book a place in Qualifier 1. A win guarantees the Bengaluru-based side a place in the first Qualifier, while the Sunrisers need a win and need the Gujarat Titans to drop points in their last game to make it through. 

The game in Hyderabad is a mouthwatering contest for fans, putting RCB’s excellent bowling attack against the hard-hitting SRH’s batting. Abhishek Sharma has scored upwards of 500 runs in this IPL at a strike-rate of 201.99, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Halzewood have dominated the powerplay with the ball. 

Here are 3 player battles for SRH vs RCB, Match 67 of IPL 2026:

3. Virat Kohli vs Praful Hinge

The game on Friday would be the first time Praful Hinge would bowl to the great Virat Kohli in his IPL career. Hinge tends to take early wickets in the powerplay, where he could face the former RCB batter. 

Kohli is currently in great form, with a century and a half-century in his last two innings. Hinge, on the other hand, is enjoying a great debut season, taking 11 wickets from six matches, including four on his debut.

2. Devdutt Padikkal vs Pat Cummins

Devdutt Padikkal has been striking at 173.10 this season, the highest in his IPL career. The left-handed batter will be looking to take down SRH’s best bowler, their captain Pat Cummins. 

The two players have faced each other four times in the IPL, with Padikkal scoring 37 runs against the Australian skipper at a strike-rate of just 127.58. However, Cummins has not been able to dismiss RCB’s number three in his IPL career.

1. Travis Head vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

It is always a brilliant spectacle to witness a hard-hitting top-order batter against one of the best new-ball bowlers of the 2026 IPL season. That is the battle between Travis Head and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

The right-arm seamer is currently the Purple Cap holder with 24 wickets this season, while the Australian opener has scored 367 at a strike-rate of 169.12. The duo have only faced each other thrice in the IPL, with Bhuvneshwar getting the better of Head once, whilst conceding 12 runs from eight balls.