RCB vs SRH Highlights, IPL 2026: Virat Kohli's fifty seals six-wicket win for RCB over SRH

It was a night of dominance and emotion as Virat Kohli lit up the IPL 2026 opener with both bat and a heartfelt gesture for Anushka Sharma. After guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli blew a flying kiss towards the stands. Anushka, seated with RCB Women’s players including Smriti Mandhana, responded with a smile and a kiss. The moment quickly went viral, becoming a defining image of the night at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru launched IPL 2026 by rewriting history, pulling off the fastest-ever 200-plus chase to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing 202, RCB stormed to 203/4 in just 15.4 overs, winning with 26 balls to spare — the quickest such chase in IPL history. They surpassed the previous record held by Rajasthan Royals, who completed a 210 chase in 15.5 overs against Gujarat Titans in 2025, while also bettering their own previous benchmark.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began IPL 2026 in style, with skipper Rajat Patidar crediting Virat Kohli as the driving force behind their six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing 202 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli’s unbeaten 69 and Devdutt Padikkal’s 61 sealed victory with 26 balls left. “No words can describe Kohli… he is the No. 1 batter,” Patidar said, adding that the duo’s innings formed the base after assessing conditions rather than following a fixed aggressive approach.

RCB vs SRH Live Score: Jacob Duffy wins player of the match award

RCB vs SRH Live Score: SRH captain Ishan Kishan says 'wicket got better in the second innings'

"The wicket played well after the first three to four overs (in the first innings). We (SRH) lost early wickets and we have to take care of that (in the upcoming matches). The wicket got better in the second innings. We have to be smarter with our shot selection," said SRH skipper Ishan Kishan.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: RCB cruise to six-wicket win

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal added 61, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the IPL opener on Saturday.

After being put in to bat, SRH recovered to 201 for nine, with stand-in captain Ishan Kishan making 80 off 38 balls after the team had slipped to 29 for three in the fifth over. Aniket Verma contributed 43 from 18 deliveries.

In response, the defending champions RCB chased down the target in 15.4 overs. Padikkal (61 off 26 balls), Kohli, and Rajat Patidar (31 off 12 balls) led the scoring.

Debutant Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for RCB, finishing with figures of 3 for 22 in his four overs.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: RCB win by six wickets

It could have been a tricky chase but RCB had the master of chase on their side and he made sure there were no hiccups.

Defending champions begin their season on a high as they defeat SRH easily by six wickets.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Fifty for Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli brings up his fifty off just 33 balls, his 64th in the IPL.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! David Payne has two in an over

David Payne strikes twice in as many balls and sends Jitesh Sharma back for a duck.

RCB 164-4 in 13 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Patidar departs

RCB captain Rajat Patidar departs after scoring 31 off just 12 balls. He has been caught at mid-off by Harsh Dubey.

RCB 163-3 in 12.2 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Patidar takes on Malinga

RCB skipper takes on Eshan Malinga, hitting two huge sixes and a four off fast bowler's second over of the spell.

RCB 162-2 in twelve overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SIX! Two in an over

Pitched up by Harsh Dubey and Rajat Patidar whacks it over deep-midwicket boundary for his first six of the innings.

Kohli too joins the party, hitting another six over bowler's head.

RCB 140-2 in eleven overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Devdutt Padikkal falls

Devdutt Padikkal departs after a quick and what could be a match-defining knock of 61 off 26 balls.

RCB 110-2 in 8.4 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Dropped!

Heinrich Klassen puts down Virat Kohli at long-on at the score of 28.

Meanwhile, Padikkal brings up his fifty off just 21 balls at the other end. RCB cruising towards the target.

RCB 99-1 in eight overs.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SIX!

'Kohli goes down the ground, Kohli goes out of the ground' moment as the RCB opener sends Eshan Malinga's over pitched delivery for a huge six straight down the ground.

RCB 89-1 in seven overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: RCB ends powerplay strongly

Devdutt Padikkal continued his solid start with a boundary off Harsh Dubey, keeping Royal Challengers Bengaluru in control at the end of the powerplay.

Padikkal welcomed the new bowler with a sweep for four and then rotated strike smartly. Virat Kohli also chipped in with singles as the pair ensured there was no slowdown.

RCB collected nine runs to move to 76 for 1 after six overs, with Padikkal leading the way.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Virat Kohli joins the charge

Virat Kohli stepped up alongside Devdutt Padikkal as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kept the momentum going in the fifth over.

Kohli took on Jaydev Unadkat with a six over deep mid-wicket and a boundary through covers, bringing up a 50-run partnership. The crowd at Chinnaswamy responded with loud chants as RCB made full use of the powerplay.

Padikkal continued to rotate strike, though the over also saw a couple of extras, including a boundary off byes after a missed slower bouncer.

RCB added 16 runs in the over, moving to 67 for 1 after 5 overs.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Devdutt Padikkal on fire as RCB race ahead

Devdutt Padikkal continued his fluent start, taking apart David Payne in a high-scoring fourth over for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Padikkal led the charge with a six and a four, showing control and timing. The highlight was a wristy flick over deep mid-wicket off a slower ball, bringing up 34 off just 11 balls.

Virat Kohli played a supporting role, adding a single as RCB collected 18 runs in the over.

RCB 51/1 after 4 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Devdutt Padikkal starts strong

Devdutt Padikkal got Royal Challengers Bengaluru off to a steady start with two early boundaries in the third over against Nitish Kumar Reddy.

The left-hander looked in control from the outset. He first picked up an easy boundary with a glance to fine leg and then followed it up with a confident loft over wide mid-off. He rotated strike well in between, finding gaps with ease.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Padikkal joins Virat Kohli in 202-run chase

Devdutt Padikkal joins Virat Kohli at the crease after Phil Salt departs early in the chase.

RCB 21-1 in 2 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Salt departs

Phil Salt deoarts in the second over, Jaydev Unadkat has RCB opener caught at mid-off. RCB lose their fist wicket.

RCB 9-1 in 1.1 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Kohli and Salt begin chase for RCB

202 is the target for the defending champions RCB in the first match of the season.

SRH are without their captain and strike bowler Pat Cummins but have a formidable bowling attack still.

They begin attack with Nitish Kumar Reddy handed the new ball.

RCB 9/0 in one over

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SRH finish at 201-9 in 20 overs

Ishan Kishan and Aniket Verma power SRH to 201/9 in 20 overs vs RCB.

Asked to bat first, stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan led SRH from the front with a 38-ball 80 after his side was reduced to 29 for three in the fifth over.

Debutant Jacob Duffy was the best bowler for RCB, returning excellent figures of 3/22 in four overs.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Kohli makes no mistake this time

Virat Kohli makes no mistake this time and takes an easy catch at long-off boundary, sending Aniket Verma back. Romario Shepherd to Aniket Verma, out Caught by Virat Kohli!! Was he caught in two minds? Aniket Verma c Virat Kohli b Romario Shepherd 43(18).

SRH 192-9 in 19 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Aniket goes big

Romario Shepherd comes into the attack for 19th over and Aniket Verma hits him for three consecutive sixes in first three balls.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Virat Kohli drops Aniket Verma

Virat Kohli has dropped dangerous looking Aniket Verma, not the easiest of catches but you expect Kohli to take those skiers. How costly it would be?

Meanwhile, Harshal Patel has been caught at long-off by Devdutt Padikkal two balls later and SRH lose their eighth.

SRH 174-8 in 17.5 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Ishan Kishan is out

What a catch by Phil Salt! Surely a contender for catch of the tournament to send Ishan Kishan back into the pavillion.

A moment of brilliance from Phil Salt brings an end to Kishan’s innings. It took something exceptional to dismiss him tonight, and Salt delivers exactly that. Ishan Kishan c Phil Salt b Abhinandan Singh 80(38) [4s-8 6s-5]

SRH 155-6 in sixteen overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SIX!

Beauty from Aniket Verma. Abhinandan pitches it just a bit short and Aniket Verma jabs it over midwicket boundary for a six.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Salil Arora gone

Suyash Sharma to Salil Arora, out Caught by Devdutt Padikkal! Arora’s brief time at the crease ends without much impact. He falls to a half-tracker, failing to make the most of it.SRH lose their fifth.

SRH 142-5 in 15 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: WICKET! Heinrich Klaasen is out

Romario Shepherd to Heinrich Klaasen, out Caught by Phil Salt! Salt begins celebrating, but he was very close to the boundary and the umpire refers it upstairs to confirm the catch. It’s a back-of-a-length delivery, Klaasen swings hard across the line and the ball goes high towards midwicket. Salt settles under it near the ropes.

SRH 126-4 in 13.1 overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Three sixes in an over

Krunal Pandya bowls a full toss and Klaasen makes sure it does not go away unpunished as he sends it for a huge six over mid-wicket boundary.

Kishan too joins the party and hits two sixes on consecutive balls.

SRH 126-3 in thirteen overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Fifty comes up for Kishan

A captain's knock from IshannKishan and he brings up his fifty off just 27 balls and he gets to the milestone in style, hitting a four straight down the ground. The SRH captain follows it up with another four through covers.

SRH 105-3 in twelve overs.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Spin from both ends

Rajat Patidar brings Krunal Pandya into the attack, the superstar of last season's final for RCB, after introducing leggie Suyash Sharma in the previous over.

SRH 92/3 in eleven overs

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SRH 87/3 at halfway mark

Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan have stabilised SRH after Jacob Duffy rattled their top order in the powerplay.

Both batters have scored at 10.80 per over in last 5 overs.

SRH 87/3 in ten overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Klaasen and Kishan steady SRH

Heinrich Klaasen hits two boundaries while Kishan also sends one for four through backward point, and the both powerful men are leading SRH's recovery after Duffy rattled their top-order.

SRH 70-3 in 8 overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Dream IPL debut for Duffy

Playing his first IPL match, Jacob Duffy ends his four-over spell. He concedes just 22 runs and takes three huge wickets of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy.

SRH 54-3 in seven overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: 6,4,6

Ishan Kishan breaks shackles and hits his first six of the innings. SRH need many more of them.

Kishan follows it up with a four and another six over deep third man boundary and it turns out to be a big over for SRH, just when they needed it.

SRH 49-3 in six overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: WICKET! Duffy strikes again

What us happening at the Chinnaswamy! Jacob Duffy has Nitish Reddy caught at shord mid-wicket.

Jacob Duffy strikes again, and it’s turning into a memorable debut for him. He bangs it in short and quick, catching Nitish Reddy off guard. The batter looks to play across the line but, without proper footwork, only manages a top edge. The ball goes towards mid-wicket where Abhinandan Singh completes the catch with ease and celebrates with a bit of flair. Sunrisers Hyderabad are under pressure at the Chinnaswamy, losing their third wicket inside the powerplay. Nitish Reddy departs for 1 off 6 balls.

SRH 29-3 in 4.2 overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: WICKET! Duffy strikes twice

Travis Head is gone as Duffy has two in an over. Phil Salt judges it well at deep backward square leg and completes the catch. That’s Duffy’s second wicket in the over on debut for RCB. It was a short delivery, and Head went for a flat pull, but didn’t get the timing right, sending it straight to the fielder. Both SRH openers are back in the dugout inside the powerplay.

SRH 23-2 in three overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: WICKET! Abhishek Sharma gone

Jacod Duffy strikes and dagerous Abhishek Sharma is gone back to pavilion without giving much trouble to scorers.

It was a scrambled-seam delivery at 133 kph, back of a length just outside off. Abhishek stayed in the crease and went for the pull, but the bat turned on impact, sending the ball in the air.


SRH 18/1 in 2.1 overs

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Bhuvneshwar Kumar shares new ball with Duffy

Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes into the attack for RCB from the other end and begins the spell with a few wides in the first over.

10 runs come off the over.

SRH 17/0 in two overs.

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Here we go

Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head open the batting for SRH.

Jacod Duffy with the new ball for the RCB.

SRH 7/0 after one over.

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Impact subs for both teams

Sunrisers Hyderabad Impact subs: Shivang Kumar, Liam Livingstone, David Payne, Smaran Ravichandran, Sakib Hussain

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Hyderabad stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan said they will try to execute their plans against the defending champions

"Looks like a fresh wicket, doesn't matter if you bat or bowl first. You don't need to start doing something new. We need to execute our plans. Everyone looks in good touch," Kishan said.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar said they will try their best to put a second star on the jersey

"We'll bowl first. Of course, there are a lot of positives from last year, but as we go into this season, we are not defending; we'll try to be champions again in 2026. I think there are a lot of good players in the side and we have proper backups for every position. There's a good support system and medical team as well. So yeah, everyone is fit and looking forward to this game. Thank you so much for supporting us over the years. We'll try our best to put a second star on our jersey. There are two new faces - Jacob Duffy and Abhinandan Singh, who are going to play their first match," Patidar said.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Playing XI

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma

SRH vs RCB Live Score: Toss time

RCB captain Rajat Patidar wins toss, opts to bowl first at Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026 season opener.

SRH vs RCB Live Score: SRH coach lauds stand-in captain Ishan Kishan

SRH head coach Daniel Vettori on Friday said that the Sunrisers Hyderabad team management had little hesitation in handing over the stand-in captain's job to Ishan Kishan as he proved to be a "confident player and leader."

Regular skipper Pat Cummins will miss the early stages of IPL 2026, owing to a back injury.

“I think Ishan's been around in the IPL for a long period of time now. He’s been with a number of teams and he's been highly successful, so, he brings in his own confidence around that,” Vettori had said in the pre-match press meet on Friday.

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: RCB players train in No. 11 jerseys to honour stampede victims

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have chosen a quiet, powerful way to remember a tragedy that shook the city.

As preparations for the new season gather pace, every player in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp has been training in the No. 11 jersey. It is a tribute to the 11 people who lost their lives in a stampede during last year’s trophy celebration event in Bengaluru.

RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: High-voltage clash

For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were defined by near-misses and unfulfilled promise, spending 17 seasons chasing a title that never arrived. That long wait finally ended on June 3, 2025, in Ahmedabad, when a side driven by teamwork rather than individual stardom rewrote its story and secured its first IPL crown.

Now, as they return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for their IPL 2026 opener, the context has completely shifted. RCB walk in not as hopeful contenders but as defending champions, with expectations higher and scrutiny sharper. Their first test comes against Sunrisers Hyderabad, as they look to emulate the rare feat achieved only by Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians by successfully defending the title.

Rajat Patidar leads RCB. For SRH, Ishan Kishan is the interim captain as Pat Cummins is ruled out of the early games due to a lumbar bone stress injury.


The campaign is long, but the importance of a strong start is undeniable. Chinnaswamy has not always been a stronghold for RCB, and with SRH bringing a powerful batting unit, the challenge presents itself straightaway.

On paper, the two teams mirror each other in several ways. Both sides possess deep and aggressive batting line-ups, both are missing their frontline Australian fast bowlers, and both depend on a mix of experienced Indian players and emerging talent. The conditions further heighten the contest. The last completed IPL game at this venue, RCB’s clash against CSK last season, produced 424 runs, with the hosts narrowly defending 215. If the pitch behaves similarly, it could once again turn into a high-scoring affair with little assistance for bowlers.

RCB have retained the core group that delivered their historic triumph, while making targeted additions in the mini-auction. The arrivals of Venkatesh Iyer and Jordan Cox offer added flexibility, while youngsters like Mangesh Yadav and Vihaan Malhotra strengthen the squad for the future.

Batting continues to be their biggest strength. With Virat Kohli and Phil Salt likely to open, and Jacob Bethell in good touch, the top order looks solid. The middle order, featuring Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David and Venkatesh Iyer, offers both experience and firepower. Selecting the final XI, in fact, could be one of the team management’s toughest tasks.

However, their bowling attack faces immediate concerns. Josh Hazlewood, their most effective bowler last season, has only recently rejoined the squad and will not feature in the opening match as he continues his recovery. His absence shifts responsibility onto Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the attack in conditions that rarely forgive errors.

RCB will also be without Nuwan Thushara, who is yet to clear fitness tests. In Hazlewood’s absence, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy could be handed a debut, while young Indian bowlers like Mangesh Yadav and Rasikh Dar are also in contention. The spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma will be crucial in managing the middle overs.

SRH, meanwhile, arrive with an equally dangerous batting line-up. Under the leadership of Ishan Kishan, they boast match-winners like Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, their bowling unit looks slightly unsettled without regular captain Pat Cummins, even though experienced names like Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse and Jaydev Unadkat are available.

Beyond the cricket, the occasion will carry an emotional undertone for RCB. The team will wear black armbands in remembrance of the 11 lives lost in the stampede during last year’s title celebrations, a tragedy that continues to linger over the franchise and its home ground.