Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the tournament opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. RCB completely dominated SRH, delivering a clinical all-round performance to successfully chase down a challenging target of 202, showing their intent to defend the title they won last year.
After being put in to bat, SRH managed to post a competitive total of 201/9 in 20 overs, with in-form Ishan Kishan smashing 80 off 38. Despite early setbacks in the powerplay, the Hyderabad side recovered through contributions in the middle order. Aniket Verma's 18-ball 43-run cameo played a greater role in SRH's competitive total. However, RCB’s bowling unit kept striking at regular intervals. Debutant Jacob Duffy impressed with the ball, claiming the figures of 3/22, while experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided crucial support, taking one wicket.
Chasing the target, RCB came out all guns blazing. The opening pair laid a solid platform, and Devdutt Padikkal played a scintillating knock, taking the attack to the SRH bowlers early in the inning. He slammed 61 off 26, firing 7 fours and four sixes. The chase, however, was anchored by stalwart Virat Kohli, whose composed half-century ensured RCB went over the line without any trouble.
Padikkal’s explosive performance complemented Kohli perfectly, as the duo stitched together a crucial partnership that took the game away from SRH. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 as RCB chased the target in 15.4 overs.