Defending champions RCB open IPL 2026 against SRH at a Chinnaswamy ready to roar again
Saturday evening in Bengaluru will feel different this time. When RCB walk out to defend their first-ever IPL title against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they will do so in front of 40,000 fans at a stadium that was briefly barred from hosting matches after the stampede tragedy of June 2025. The ground has been cleared, safety measures upgraded, and 11 seats permanently reserved as a tribute to those who lost their lives. Cricket returns, but the memory stays.
RCB's batting firepower
Phil Salt and Virat Kohli are expected to open together for the second consecutive season. Salt hit 387 runs at a strike rate of 175.90 in last year's title run. Kohli, who scored 657 runs in 15 matches during IPL 2025, looked sharp in RCB's recent intra-squad practice, cracking a reported 19-ball 45 in one session. Tim David provides the finishing muscle in the middle order, and with Rajat Patidar anchoring things at No. 3 or 4, RCB have batting depth across the order.
The new ownership group, the Aditya Birla consortium that bought the franchise for $1.78 billion earlier this week, will be watching closely. First impressions matter.
SRH's opening-night headache
Sunrisers Hyderabad would prefer to have Pat Cummins leading the side, but the Australian is still recovering from a back issue and has confirmed he expects to be available in the second half of the tournament. Ishan Kishan will captain the side in his absence, with Abhishek Sharma named vice-captain.
SRH's batting still looks dangerous. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma at the top can take any bowling attack apart in the powerplay. Heinrich Klaasen behind them is one of the most destructive middle-order batters in T20 cricket. But without Cummins leading the bowling, and with several pace options around the league nursing injuries, SRH's seam attack is the question mark heading into the season.
History and context
SRH lead the head-to-head record 13-11 across 25 IPL matches, but RCB have the momentum of a maiden title and home advantage on a Chinnaswamy pitch that traditionally favours batters. The match starts at 7:30 PM IST on March 28.
The rest of the opening weekend follows quickly: Mumbai Indians host Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede on March 29, and Rajasthan Royals take on Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
