Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in style, registering a convincing six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
Chasing a daunting target of 202, RCB rode on clinical batting performances to seal the win with 26 balls to spare and send an early warning to the rest of the league.
Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive total after recovering from early setbacks. Captain Ishan Kishan led from the front with a blistering 80 off 38 balls, sharing a crucial 97-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen. A late flourish from Aniket Verma, who smashed 43 off just 18 deliveries, propelled SRH past the 200-run mark. For RCB, debutant Jacob Duffy impressed with the ball, picking up 3/22, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with three wickets.
RCB’s chase began with the early loss of Phil Salt, but Devdutt Padikkal turned the momentum swiftly. The left-hander launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing 61 off 26 balls, and stitched a rapid 101-run stand with Virat Kohli.
Kohli played the anchor’s role to perfection, compiling an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls and bringing up his 64th IPL half-century. Skipper Rajat Patidar added a useful cameo to ensure there were no hiccups in the chase.
Duffy was named Player of the Match for his impressive debut spell, stating he enjoyed the bounce on offer and was pleased to contribute to the team’s effort. RCB captain Rajat Patidar praised the all-round performance, while also highlighting Kohli’s composure during the chase.
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Ishan Kishan admitted his side needed to improve with the ball but remained confident of bouncing back in the tournament.
With a dominant performance in all departments, RCB not only secured two points but also set the tone for their title defence. The IPL 2026 action continues with a high-voltage clash as Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday evening.
Source: ESPN Cricinfo, Cricbuzz
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