Former CSK star Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sunrisers Hyderabad to dominate Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match of IPL 2026, highlighting RCB’s bowling problems.
RCB and SRH have been tied in the last two seasons in the IPL, having won three matches each since 2022. The momentum swings towards the Orange Army, who, despite similar winning records, have posed a greater challenge to the challengers.
Former CSK star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Sunrisers Hyderabad, under the leadership of their new captain Ishan Kishan, have performed well over rival franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and are hopeful that the trend will continue on Saturday.
Ravichandran Ashwin gives SRH lead over RCB in IPL 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin cited the example of recent head-to-head matches as one that could have tilted the balance in favor of Sunrisers Hyderabad. It’s a strong statement on the opening day of competition for the defending champions.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, “SRH have done better than RCB in recent times, and they will follow the same in this game. I think this game will also follow that trend, for strange reasons RCB is without Hazlewood.”
RCB will start their campaign at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which is the home ground of the Red Devils. Ashwin has never shied away from giving his opinion and this time too it seems to be true as many of the batsmen in that lineup are also not in promising form.
“It may be tough for RCB, but RCB will find their rhythm.” -Ravichandran Ashwin
The former CSK star had predicted that when RCB played in Lucknow last year, Josh Hazlewood was not there, and he predicted that the Royal Challengers would find their suitable rhythm.
“Even in that game in Lucknow last year, Hazlewood was not there, if I am not mistaken. For this game, I have a little prediction. It may be tough for RCB, but RCB will find their rhythm,” Ashwin said.
“I feel that SRH will once again dominate this game because SRH have performed better than RCB in recent times,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin notices RCB’s bowling problems ahead of IPL 2026
Last time in the IPL, when Royal Challengers Bangalore did not have Josh Hazlewood in their bowling attack, Ishan Kishan played an unbeaten innings and took SRH to a mammoth total of 231 runs. Lungi Ngidi played at that time and was their most expensive player.
Ravichandran Ashwin identified a key factor as they are going through a bowling crisis. RCB captain Rajat Patidar can depend on uncapped pacers like Magesh Yadav and Rasikh Dar. This is because players like Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara are not available for selection.
Ashwin said, “Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB does not have much power to control in the end. In RCB, we always have to remember that blood is shed in the death overs. If the wickets are in hand, then it is not only difficult but impossible to stop the runs in the death overs.”
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