IPL Final 2016: Schedule Info, Live Stream, Viewing Details and Predictions
The Indian Premier League 2016 final takes centre stage on Sunday, as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad lock horns in Bengaluru.
RCB saw off table-toppers Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 1 to book their place in Sunday’s showdown, while Sunrisers Hyderabad got the better of Kolkata Knight Riders and then the Lions in Qualifier 2 to earn their shot at the title.
Here we look ahead to what’s set to be an enthralling final, as two of the highest-scoring IPL sides come together.
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Date: Sunday, May 29
Time: 3:30 p.m. BST/10:30 a.m. ET
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (U.K. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K. only)
Big-Hitting Battle
As Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad prepare to do battle in the IPL 2016 final, it seems only one thing is guaranteed: high scoring.
When these two sides met over the course of the regular season, they played out a masterclass in batting.
Back in April, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers ran riot in a 45-run victory for RCB, as they posted 227-4 after their 20 overs.
And it’s those two Sunrisers will need to focus on dismissing early if they are to have any chance of lifting the trophy, as they’ve been truly devastating at the crease.
According to IPLT20.com, Kohli and De Villiers have notched more than 1,600 runs between them this season, with the Indian topping the scoring charts on an eye-watering 919.
The pair have also recorded the most tournament sixes, with De Villiers slogging 37 out of the ground and Kohli 36.
Stopping the dynamic duo will be imperative to Sunrisers’ chances, yet they also have a certain Chris Gayle to deal with early on. Although the West Indian opener hasn’t been at his best in IPL 2016, Hyderabad will be more than aware of his ability heading into Sunday’s final.
But Sunrisers have a few secret weapons of their own.
With the ball, Mustafizur Rahman has been nothing short of lethal throughout the campaign, and although he missed the Qualifier 2 meeting with Gujarat through injury, the Sunrisers will hope their star seamer is back for the final.
Then there’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has taken the most wickets in IPL 2016, with 23, and also bowled the most dot balls according to Star Sports:
They’re quite handy with the bat, too, with Aussie opener David Warner undoubtedly the star of the show. In fact, he’s been exemplary while on the chase, as ESPN’s Bharath Seervi revealed:
Warner chalked up an emphatic 92 when the Sunrisers and RCB last met, and he comes into Sunday off the back of another match-winning knock—slashing his way to an unbeaten 93 against the Lions.
Naturally, the IPL world was singing his praises, with fellow Australian Shane Watson conducting the flattering orchestra:
Hyderabad are about more than just their captain, though, as it’s their strength in depth that’s got them as far as the final.
Sunrisers look like the more rounded team on paper thanks to their aggressive bowling order, but RCB’s brilliance with the bat simply can’t be ignored.
If Hyderabad manage to rip through the openers, then it could be game over for Bangalore, but if the likes of Gayle, Kohli and De Villiers are swinging well, then it’ll be very much all to play for.
Prediction: RCB to record a narrow victory
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