Picture Credit: BCCI/Getty Images
In the first match of IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad compiled an imposing total of 201/9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, led by skipper Ishan Kishan.
After being asked to bat first, SRH lost early wickets as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head were dismissed cheaply.
Head scored 11, while Sharma added just 7 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy also departed early after scoring only 1, leaving the side under pressure at 29/3.
Leading from the front, Kishan rebuilt the innings with Heinrich Klaasen through a vital 97-run stand for the fourth wicket in 53 deliveries.
Kishan produced an attacking 80 off 38 balls, smashing 5 sixes and 8 fours to put his side in a commanding position.
Klaasen contributed effectively with 31 runs from 22 balls, adding stability during the middle overs.
Aniket Verma provided a strong finish with a rapid 43 off 18 balls. His innings included 3 boundaries and 4 sixes, helping SRH reach the 200-run mark.
For RCB, debutant Jacob Duffy delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs in four overs and emerging as the standout bowler.
Romario Shepherd claimed three wickets but conceded heavily, giving away 54 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma picked up one wicket each.
With 202 runs required for victory, RCB now face a demanding chase in what promises to be an engaging contest in the IPL 2026 opener.
Also Read: Can RCB Start Strong Again? Patidar Opts To Field As IPL 2026 Begins vs SRH
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