Bengaluru | 28 March 2026

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match held in Bengaluru on Saturday. Chasing a challenging target of 202, RCB comfortably crossed the finish line, powered by a strong batting display led by Virat Kohli, who finished the game in style.

Earlier in the match, stand-in SRH skipper Ishan Kishan played a brilliant innings, scoring 80 runs off 38 balls to help his team post 201/9 in 20 overs. He was well supported by Aniket Verma, who added a quick 43 off 18 deliveries. Despite their efforts, SRH struggled early on, losing three wickets in the powerplay. RCB’s bowling attack, led by Jacob Duffy, kept pressure on the opposition, with Duffy picking up three key wickets.

In response, RCB’s batting lineup delivered an aggressive performance. Devdutt Padikkal set the tone with a rapid 61 off 26 balls, including a 21-ball half-century, while captain Rajat Patidar contributed a quick 31 off 12. Kohli anchored the innings with a composed half-century, ensuring the chase remained firmly under control alongside Tim David during the latter stages.

The match also carried an emotional moment, as RCB players wore black armbands in tribute to fans who lost their lives in a tragic stampede outside the stadium following the team’s title celebrations in 2025. The victory not only marked a strong start to their title defence but also reflected a moment of remembrance and respect for their supporters.

 Virat Kohli Leads RCB to Dominant Win Over SRH in IPL 2026 Opener, Team Pays Tribute to Fans

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match held in Bengaluru on Saturday. Chasing a challenging target of 202, RCB comfortably crossed the finish line, powered by a strong batting display led by Virat Kohli, who finished the game in style.

Earlier in the match, stand-in SRH skipper Ishan Kishan played a brilliant innings, scoring 80 runs off 38 balls to help his team post 201/9 in 20 overs. He was well supported by Aniket Verma, who added a quick 43 off 18 deliveries. Despite their efforts, SRH struggled early on, losing three wickets in the powerplay. RCB’s bowling attack, led by Jacob Duffy, kept pressure on the opposition, with Duffy picking up three key wickets.

In response, RCB’s batting lineup delivered an aggressive performance. Devdutt Padikkal set the tone with a rapid 61 off 26 balls, including a 21-ball half-century, while captain Rajat Patidar contributed a quick 31 off 12. Kohli anchored the innings with a composed half-century, ensuring the chase remained firmly under control alongside Tim David during the latter stages.

The match also carried an emotional moment, as RCB players wore black armbands in tribute to fans who lost their lives in a tragic stampede outside the stadium following the team’s title celebrations in 2025. The victory not only marked a strong start to their title defence but also reflected a moment of remembrance and respect for their supporters.