The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a strong start to the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to field first. SRH posted a competitive 201/9 in their 20 overs despite losing early wickets. Captain Ishan Kishan led the recovery with a brilliant knock of 80 off 38 balls, smashing eight fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 210.53. Heinrich Klaasen provided solid support with 31 off 22 balls, while Aniket Verma added a quick 43 off 18 deliveries towards the end. Kishan and Klaasen also stitched together a crucial 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
For RCB, Jacob Duffy (3/22) and Romario Shepherd (3/54) were the standout bowlers, while the rest chipped in with a wicket each.
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In reply, RCB lost Phil Salt early, but Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli turned the game around with a stunning 101-run stand off just 45 balls. Padikkal scored a rapid 61 off 26 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, smashing at a strike rate of 234.62, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls, striking five fours and five sixes.
Kohli also added 53 runs with Patidar for the third wicket, guiding RCB closer to victory. For SRH, David Payne picked up two wickets in the latter stage of the innings, but it was not enough as the chase master sealed the win with a boundary, helping RCB open their account in style.
RCB will play the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in their next game on April 5 in the same stadium while SRH will lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Here are the most important stats from the game:
- Ishan Kishan completed 3000 runs in the IPL.
- Heinrich Klaasen completed 1500 runs in the IPL.
- Heinrich Klaasen also reached 100 fours in the IPL.
- Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 4000 runs in chases in IPL history.
