New Delhi: An exhibition from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batters helped the defending champions beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) convincingly in the opening match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Saturday.

Chasing 202 runs, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar hammered the Sunrisers bowlers to chase the score in just 15.4 overs, completing a 6-wicket victory after opting to bowl first. As cricket returned to the M. Chinnaswamy stadium after a gap of one year, the light works by the players of both the sides, especially RCB, helped the gloomy stadium erupt in joy.

Kohli, Padikkal lead the show for RCB

Chase master Kohli proved to be the wrecker-in-chief with an unbeaten 69-run knock after Padikkal’s 61 off 26 destroyed the momentum of the Sunrisers bowlers in the powerplay. RCB veteran Kohli hammered 5 huge sixes and as many boundaries to continue his brilliant form from the last season as he began his campaign on a fiery note.

Patidar also proved to be a major contributor in the chase as he played a smashing cameo of 31 runs in just 12 balls hammering 3 sixes and 2 boundaries but could not take it forward as his innings ended abruptly. Jitesh Sharma was out for a duck while Phil Salt could only muster 8 runs at the start. Tim David also contributed with unbeaten 16 off 10 at last to complete the win for RCB.

More to follow…