IPL 2026 Opener: Kohli and Padikkal Power RCB to Dominant Win Over SRH
Bengaluru: The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), opened their 2026 Indian Premier League campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing a target of 202, RCB reached the finish line with 26 balls to spare, driven by brilliant half-centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli.
Duffy’s Dream Debut Stuns Hyderabad
Stepping in for Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy delivered an exceptional debut performance. Duffy finished with figures of 3/22, effectively dismantling the explosive SRH top order during the powerplay. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma, who miscued a pull shot to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. Within the same spell, Duffy removed Travis Head and Nitish Reddy with well-directed short deliveries, leaving SRH reeling early in the innings.
Ishan Leads SRH Counter-Attack
Captaining SRH for the first time, Ishan stabilized the innings with an aggressive 80 off 38 balls. He targeted medium pacer Abhinandan Kumar, hitting three boundaries in a single over to shift the momentum. Partnering with Heinrich Klaasen (31), Ishan built a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket. The partnership ended when Phil Salt secured a spectacular one-handed catch near the boundary, giving Abhinandan his maiden IPL wicket. A late surge from Aniket Verma, who smashed 43 off 18 balls, pushed the SRH total to 201.
Padikkal and Kohli Execute Flawless Chase
Following the early dismissal of Phil Salt for 8, Devdutt Padikkal assumed control of the chase. Capitalizing on his strong domestic form for Karnataka, the left-hander scored a rapid 61 off 26 balls. His innings featured superior footwork and aggressive intent, highlighted by a one-knee six off left-arm pacer David Payne. Padikkal eventually fell to Harsh Dubey, caught by Klaasen at mid-off.
Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 69 from 38 deliveries, took charge after Padikkal’s departure. Kohli anchored the innings through a brief middle-order wobble where newly appointed RCB captain Rajat Patidar (31) and Jitesh Sharma (0) were dismissed in consecutive deliveries by Payne. Supported by Tim David’s unbeaten 16, Kohli calmly guided RCB to victory.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 201/6 (20 Overs) | Ishan (80 off 38) |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 202/4 (15.4 Overs) | Virat Kohli (69* off 38) |
Key Match Facts
- Jacob Duffy registered 3/22 in his first IPL appearance.
- RCB chased down the 202-run target at a run rate of 12.89 per over.
- Ishan debuted as SRH captain, scoring a half-century in 24 balls.
- RCB secured their first win of the season, continuing their momentum from the previous championship year.
For complete player statistics and season records, review the data at ESPN Cricinfo. Updates on tournament schedules are available through the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the official IPL website.