Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their IPL 2026 title defence in style, chasing down 202 to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the season opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive 26-ball 61 and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 69 (38 balls) put RCB in control as they finished 203 for 4 in 15.4 overs.
After Phil Salt fell early, Padikkal and Kohli put on a 101-run partnership off just 45 balls that effectively decided the game. Padikkal attacked with fierce cuts and wristy strokes, reaching his fifty in 21 balls, while Kohli combined classical drives and his trademark swat flick to keep the scoring rate high. RCB reached 50 in the fourth over; the Power Play (the first six overs) yielded 76, and the team crossed 100 inside 8.1 overs.
Padikkal fell to Heinrich Klaasen at long-on after a dominant cameo, and Klaasen had earlier spilled Kohli on 28 off Harshal Patel, a reprieve the skipper made count. Kohli completed his half-century in 33 balls before Rajat Patidar’s breezy 12-ball 31 and a brief wobble with two quick dismissals became mere speed-breakers in an otherwise comfortable chase.
Sunrisers’ innings was anchored by stand-in captain Ishan Kishan, who smashed a rapid 80 off 38 balls, and a 97-run fourth-wicket stand with Heinrich Klaasen stabilised the middle overs. Ankit Verma also made a useful contribution. Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, finishing with 3 for 22 as Hyderabad managed 201 for 9. Early on, Duffy’s bounce troubled the SRH top order and a costly DRS call saw RCB waste a review in the first over.
The match was played on a pitch that had not hosted top-level cricket for nearly 10 months, a factor that influenced Bangalore’s decision to field first. RCB’s clinical batting display underlined their intent for the season and handed them a convincing win in the tournament opener. (PTI)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/29/devdutt-kohli-duffy-star-in-rcbs-six-wicket-win-over-srh/
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Publish Date: 2026-03-29 06:19:00
