Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal powered RCB to a dominant six-wicket win over SRH after Ishan Kishan’s explosive 80 set up a 200-plus total.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets with 26 balls to spare at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Chasing a stiff target of 202, RCB rode on brilliant knocks from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal to complete the chase in just 15.4 overs.
SRH, after being put into bat, posted a competitive 201/9 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by skipper Ishan Kishan, who played a sensational knock of 80 off just 38 deliveries.
Walking in at a precarious 29 for 3, Kishan counterattacked with authority, smashing eight fours and five sixes to revive the innings. He was well supported by Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed a steady 31, while Aniket Verma provided a late flourish with a blistering 43 off 18 balls.
However, SRH’s innings saw early setbacks, with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma falling cheaply. Despite Kishan’s heroics, the middle and lower order couldn’t fully capitalise, losing wickets in quick succession towards the end.
For RCB, Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets while maintaining excellent control. Romario Shepherd also grabbed three wickets but proved expensive, conceding 54 runs.
RCB Hammers In Reply To SRH
In reply, RCB began aggressively despite losing Phil Salt early. The match turned decisively during the second wicket partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. The duo added 110 runs in quick time, dismantling the SRH bowling attack with calculated aggression.
Padikkal was the aggressor, smashing 61 off just 26 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Kohli, on the other hand, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69 off 38 deliveries, showcasing his class and composure.
Rajat Patidar chipped in with a quickfire 31 off 12 balls, further accelerating the chase. Though RCB lost a couple of quick wickets in the middle overs, the required rate was well under control.
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Tim David then applied the finishing touches with a calm unbeaten 16, ensuring RCB crossed the line comfortably. The chase was marked by RCB’s dominance, as they maintained a run rate of nearly 13 runs per over.
With this commanding victory, RCB have made a strong statement early in the tournament, while SRH will need to reassess their bowling strategies despite a solid batting performance.
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