HOME ADVANTAGE: WILL RCB'S MOMENTUM CONTINUE AGAINST SRH IN IPL 2025? (A LOOK BACK AT MATCH 65)

Home Advantage: Will RCB's Momentum Continue Against SRH in IPL 2025? (A Look Back at Match 65)

Home Advantage: Will RCB's Momentum Continue Against SRH in IPL 2025? (A Look Back at Match 65)

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The IPL 2025 season was a rollercoaster, and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the journey towards the playoffs was a testament to their resilience. As the league stage drew to a close, every match carried immense weight, and none more so than the highly anticipated Match 65 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The central question on everyone's mind was: Would RCB's impressive late-season momentum, often amplified by their home advantage, be enough to overcome the explosive SRH lineup?

However, the narrative of "home advantage" for this particular clash took an unexpected turn. While initially scheduled for RCB's fortress, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the match was eventually relocated to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on May 23, 2025. This crucial change meant that RCB did not, in fact, enjoy their traditional home advantage for this pivotal encounter.

Let's delve into what "home advantage" typically means for RCB at Chinnaswamy, analyze their momentum going into Match 65, and reflect on how the change of venue impacted the outcome and what it means for your IPL fantasy team prediction.

The Myth and Reality of RCB's Home Advantage at Chinnaswamy


The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is synonymous with RCB. It's a venue where the passionate "Ee Saala Cup Namde" chants reverberate, and the short boundaries fuel batting fireworks.

  • Chinnaswamy's Nature: As discussed in previous blogs, Chinnaswamy is a batter's paradise. Its flat wickets, short boundaries, and fast outfield consistently produce high-scoring thrillers. This naturally favors a batting-heavy team like RCB, whose top order, featuring the likes of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, thrives on such surfaces. The home crowd's energy also plays a significant role, providing an immense boost to the players.

  • RCB's Record at Home: Historically, RCB has had a mixed, but generally strong, record at Chinnaswamy. They understand the pitch nuances better than any visiting team, knowing when to attack, when to consolidate, and which bowling changes to make. This familiarity can be a significant psychological and tactical edge.


Going into Match 65, RCB had built considerable momentum. They had staged a remarkable comeback, stringing together a series of wins that propelled them up the points table and into strong contention for a top-two finish. This surge was built on the back of consistent performances from their batting unit and timely breakthroughs from their bowlers. The expectation was that this momentum, coupled with the roaring home support at Chinnaswamy, would be an unstoppable force.

SRH's Position and the Challenge They Presented


Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite their occasional flashes of brilliance, particularly their explosive batting at the top, had a more inconsistent season. By the time Match 65 arrived, SRH had already been eliminated from playoff contention. This meant they were playing for pride, with no pressure of qualification weighing them down. Such a scenario can make a team incredibly dangerous, as they can play with freedom and unleash their full attacking potential. SRH's destructive openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, alongside the power-hitting of Heinrich Klaasen and the emerging talent of Ishan Kishan, posed a formidable threat to any bowling attack.

The Impact of the Venue Change: Lucknow's Influence


The shift from Chinnaswamy to Ekana fundamentally altered the dynamics of Match 65.

  • Ekana's Characteristics: Unlike Chinnaswamy, Ekana's pitch generally offers a more balanced contest between bat and ball. It has larger boundaries and tends to offer more assistance to spinners. While it can still be good for batting, it doesn't possess the same inherent batting-friendly nature as Bengaluru.

  • Lost Advantage: For RCB, this meant losing their familiar conditions and the electrifying home crowd support. They had to adapt to a new surface and a different atmosphere, potentially disrupting their rhythm and strategies that were finely tuned for Chinnaswamy.

  • SRH's Adaptation: SRH, playing without the pressure of qualification, seemed to adapt better to the new venue. They unleashed their aggressive batting, with Ishan Kishan's sensational 94 (48 balls) leading them to a colossal 231/6. This demonstrated that even on a more balanced track, their power-hitting could dominate.

  • The Outcome: RCB, despite strong efforts from Phil Salt (62) and Virat Kohli (43), ultimately fell short, bowled out for 189, losing by 42 runs. While they showed glimpses of their fighting spirit, the pressure of a massive chase on a less familiar pitch, coupled with SRH's disciplined bowling led by Pat Cummins (3/28), proved to be too much. This defeat was a significant setback for RCB's aspirations of a top-two finish.


Learning for Your IPL Fantasy Team Prediction:


Match 65, though not played at Chinnaswamy, offered crucial lessons for your IPL fantasy team prediction:

  1. Always Verify Venue: The most important lesson is to always double-check the confirmed venue. A last-minute change can significantly impact pitch behavior and player performance.

  2. Momentum is Real, But Context is King: RCB's momentum was undeniable, but the change in venue negated their primary "home advantage." A team playing for pride (like SRH in this case) can be extremely dangerous.

  3. Adaptability is Key: For fantasy players, understanding which batsmen thrive on different surfaces is crucial. While RCB's batters are fantastic at Chinnaswamy, they might not be as dominant on a trickier Ekana pitch.

  4. Power Hitters are Universal Assets: Players like Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, who can hit big regardless of the pitch, are valuable picks across venues.

  5. Captaincy Choices: While home-ground heroes are often excellent captaincy choices, a venue change might necessitate a re-evaluation, favoring all-rounders or bowlers who can adapt better.


While RCB's momentum ultimately couldn't secure a win in Match 65, the game served as a reminder that in the unpredictable world of the IPL, adaptation and the ability to perform under varied conditions are paramount. For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, this match provided a stark lesson in the importance of looking beyond just the pre-game narrative and focusing on the real-time factors that shape the game.

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