Picture Credit: BCCI/Getty Images/Associated Press
Royal Challengers Bengaluru opened their IPL 2026 journey with a convincing six-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team delivered a composed and dominant performance to begin the season on a high note.
Pursuing a target of 202 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB completed the chase in just 15.4 overs, finishing at 203/4.
Devdutt Padikkal, introduced as an impact player, played an aggressive knock of 61 runs off 26 balls, including four sixes and seven boundaries. He built a decisive 101-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Kohli in just 45 balls.
Virat Kohli guided the innings with an unbeaten 69 off 38 deliveries, striking five sixes and five fours.
Skipper Rajat Patidar added quick runs with a 31 off 12 balls, while Tim David remained not out on 16.
Philip Salt and Jitesh Sharma failed to make significant contributions.
Earlier in the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a total of 201/9 after being asked to bat first. The innings began on a shaky note, with three early wickets falling at a low score.
Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen then stabilised the innings with a crucial partnership of 97 runs.
Kishan played a commanding innings of 80 off 38 balls, while Klaasen contributed 31 runs. Later, Aniket Verma added a rapid 43 off just 18 balls, helping the side cross the 200-run mark.
Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd were the standout bowlers for RCB, picking up three wickets each.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma also chipped in with one wicket apiece.
The emphatic win underlines RCB’s strong batting depth and gives them early momentum in the competition.
Also Read: SRH Post 201/9 vs RCB In IPL 2026 Opener As Ishan Kishan Leads With 80
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