Royal Challengers Bengaluru begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of IPL 2026 at Bengaluru. RCB hold the edge at home, while SRH aim for a fresh start under new leadership.
Match details
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST, 7:00 PM PST, 2:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter the season as defending champions after lifting their maiden IPL title in 2025. The side will rely on a strong core featuring Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya. Their balance of experience and power-hitting makes them a formidable unit, especially at home.
Sunrisers Hyderabad come into the match looking to reset after an inconsistent previous season. Led by Ishan Kishan, SRH will miss the presence of Pat Cummins, which weakens their bowling attack. However, their batting unit remains dangerous with multiple match-winners.
Key players
RCB will depend on Virat Kohli at the top, while Tim David provides finishing firepower. With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains crucial in both powerplay and death overs.
For SRH, Travis Head is expected to play an aggressive role at the top. Heinrich Klaasen adds strength in the middle order, while Harshal Patel will lead the bowling attack.
Head-to-head record
SRH hold a slight advantage historically with 13 wins compared to RCB’s 11, while one match ended in a tie. The rivalry has often produced high-scoring contests, especially in Bengaluru.
Pitch report
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly surface, short boundaries, and consistent bounce. High scores are common here, with totals above 190 often required to stay competitive. Bowlers must rely on variations and accuracy, as even small errors can be punished.
Probable match scenarios
A first-innings total of 190 or more will be competitive at this venue. Teams chasing also have a strong record due to the flat pitch and dew factor. Powerplay dominance from either side could set the tone for the match.
Probable playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Captain: Rajat Patidar)
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy
Impact Player: Mangesh Yadav
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Captain: Ishan Kishan)
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Brydon Carse, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat
Impact Player: Salil Arora
Live streaming and broadcast
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad, Daraz app
UK: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go
Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports
Global: IPL official broadcasters and streaming partners in respective regions
Match prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a clear advantage due to their strong batting depth and familiarity with home conditions. While SRH have explosive batters, their weakened bowling attack could struggle on a high-scoring Bengaluru pitch. If RCB’s top order fires, they are likely to start their title defence with a win.
