RCB Strike Early in IPL 2026 Opener Against SRH at Chinnaswamy

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by captain Rajat Patidar, won the toss and bowled first against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Debutant Jacob Duffy grabbed both wickets—Travis Head for 11 off 9 and Abhishek Sharma for 7 off 8—after RCB broke their 18-year title drought by beating Punjab Kings in the 2025 final.

All eyes turn to Virat Kohli, who needs 339 runs for 9,000 IPL runs and has dominated SRH with 805 runs at a 142 strike rate, as fans pack the fortress where Bengaluru holds a strong home record.