RCB VS SRH: Kohli-Padikkal, Duffy Star As Defending Champions Start IPL 2026 With Sunrisers Rout In Bengaluru
· Free Press Journal
Half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal ensured a clinical victory for RCb on their return to the Chinnaswamy for the IPL 2026. The defending champions made light work of SRH's 203, chasing down the score with more than four overs to spare. Earlier, Jacob Duffy ran through the visitors top order, which they never recovered from.
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Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to field first on cricket's return to Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. The defending champions got off to the perfect start with Jacob Duffy striking within the powerplay to have the visitors reeling.
Played with ✅
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 28, 2026
Ishan Kishan, playing his first match as captain, held the innings together with Heinrich Klaasen. Kishan smashed a stunning half-century to keep the run rate on par with the surface. Klaasen's controversial dismissal put spanner in SRH's efforts, with Kishan also later holding out in the deep.
SRH looked like getting bundled out but it was a stunning 43-run knock from Aniket Verma who took his franchise over the 200-mark.
RCB VS SRH: Devdutt Padikkal Smashes Blistering 21-Ball Half-Century In IPL 2026 Opener | VIDEOIn response, SRH struck early with Jaydev Unadkat dismissing Phil Salt early. However, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli put on a century stand to take the game away from the visitors. Padikkal was in sublime touch as he stroked a 21-ball half-century, while Kohli settled into his anchor role perfectly. Late burst from Rajat Patidar and Kohli himself meant that RCB chased down the score with more than four overs to spare.
It was a statement win from the hosts, who delivered a performance worthy of defending champions. It is also a sizeable early boost to their NRR, should things get tricky as the season progresses.