IPL 2017: Match 1: SRH Vs RCB: Likely player battles

David Warner Vs Tymal Mills

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner was the best batsman of the team last season scoring 848 runs. He was just behind Virat Kohli in the top runscorers' list. This season too the burden of expectation will be on the Australian. In their match against RCB, Warner will be up against IPL debutant and England international fast bowler Tymal Mills. Mills created a buzz during the IPL auction when he was roped in by RCB for a whopping Rs 12 Cr. A lot will be expected from the 24-year old left-arm fast bowler.

Yuvraj Singh Vs Yuzvendra Chahal

After David Warner, the most important player in the Sunrisers squad is ace Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh. The veteran southpaw, who is a master of shorter formats, scored a smashing century in the India Vs England ODI series in January this year. A lot will be expected from Yuvraj who will be up against RCB's young spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal too was in red hot form during India's T20 series against England. In the third T20I, the spinner took 6 wickets to completely ransack the English batting lineup.

Shane Watson Vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Royal Challengers Bangalore's makeshift skipper Shane Watson will have to play a very crucial role in the absence of stars like Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers. In the opening match,he will be up against SRH's ace fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvneshwar who recently played in the Test series against Australia is in a fine form at the moment. The battle between the Indian fast bowler and RCB captain will be an exciting one.

Chris Gayle Vs Ashish Nehra

The most entertaining batsman in the history of IPL, Chris Gayle is all set to take the field yet again for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers out of action in the first match, Gayle will play a very crucial role. The West Indian will be up against veteran Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who had an impressive stint with the Sunrisers last season.

Shikhar Dhawan Vs Sreenath Aravind

India international Shikhar Dhawan will pair up with captain David Warner to open the innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The star performer is one of the best batsman in the history of the tournament an in tonight's opening match, he will be up against RCB's left-arm fast Sreenath Aravind. The Karnataka seamer is a crucial part of the squad and is expected to give tough times to the SRH southpaw.