Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cruised past Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets with 26 balls to spare in the opening match of IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

After being invited to bat first, SRH posted 201/9 in 20 overs. Jacob Duffy (3/22 in 4 overs) provided early breakthroughs, but Ishan Kishan played a blazing knock of 80 off 38 balls. Aniket Verma added a fiery 43 off 18 balls towards the end, helping SRH cross the 200-run mark.

In reply, RCB chased down the target comfortably, thanks to aggressive knocks from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar. Kohli remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls. With this win, RCB started their title defence with a statement victory.

Duffy Shines on IPL Debut

New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed on his IPL debut. He bowled with control and confidence, picking up 3 wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. He dismissed key batters like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.

Duffy adjusted quickly to the conditions. Since the ball did not swing much, he focused on hard lengths and attacked the stumps. As a result, SRH’s top order struggled to handle his disciplined bowling.

Interestingly, when captain Rajat Patidar mentioned “Jacob” at the toss, many expected Jacob Bethell to play. However, Duffy got the chance and made a memorable debut.

Ishan Kishan Leads SRH Fight

Despite early setbacks, Ishan Kishan led SRH’s fightback with a powerful innings. Playing his first match as captain, he scored 80 runs off just 38 balls.

He started cautiously but soon accelerated. He attacked both pace and spin, taking on bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and others. His aggressive approach kept SRH in the game.

However, his innings ended after a stunning catch by Phil Salt near the boundary, which turned the momentum back in RCB’s favour.

Aniket Verma Adds Late Firepower

Aniket Verma played a quick cameo, scoring freely in the death overs. He struck multiple boundaries and showcased both power and skill.

He hit several big shots but eventually got out while attempting another six. His contribution helped SRH reach a competitive total of over 200.

Padikkal and Kohli Dominate Chase

In response, RCB lost an early wicket when Jaydev Unadkat dismissed Phil Salt. However, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli took control of the chase.

Padikkal played an explosive innings, scoring 61 off just 26 balls. He attacked from the start and brought up his fastest IPL fifty in just 21 balls. His aggressive batting reduced the pressure quickly.

On the other hand, Kohli played a composed knock. He adjusted his approach after seeing Padikkal’s dominance and anchored the innings. Kohli reached his half-century off 33 balls.

RCB Seal Easy Victory

The duo added a 101-run partnership in just 45 balls, which brought RCB close to victory. Eventually, the team chased down 202 with six wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare.

RCB dominated SRH’s bowling attack, with bowlers conceding runs at high economy rates.