Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started IPL 2026 with an impressive 6-wicket win against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal helped RCB complete the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history.
Thanks to the brilliant batting performance of Kohli (69* off 38 balls) and Padikkal (61 runs off 26 balls) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, defending champions reached the target of 202 runs with 26 balls remaining against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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However, this IPL 2026 season opener was an emotional homecoming for RCB. The stadium opened its doors for the first time in June 2025 after a heartbreaking stampede where 11 fans tragically lost their lives during celebrations to win the team’s maiden IPL trophy.
RCB pays emotional tribute to stampede victims
Now, the Bengaluru franchise paid tribute in a very respectful manner as the players wore black armbands, had the number 11 written on the warm-up shirts and both the teams stood in silence ahead of the start of the season at the same venue on Saturday.
In a special and permanent gesture, there is now a special memorial to the fans who lost their lives in the stampede inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Eleven seats are also kept vacant forever, covered by a small white fence and decorated with flowers.
These seats remind everyone of the lives lost. There is also a plaque at the entrance that tells his story, so his memory lives on in every match played at the stadium in Bengaluru.
We dedicate this win to XI fans: Rajat Patidar
After the match, RCB captain Rajat Patidar lauded Kohli and Padikkal for setting the tone during the chase with fearless stroke play against SRH. Patidar also said that the defending champions have dedicated their six-wicket win over Hyderabad to those 11 fans.
“The way Dev and Virat started, I think that was a good base for us and after that, it was not that we wanted to finish early; the game kept going and runs were being scored, so we decided to chase the target as quickly as possible,” captain Rajat Patidar said in an RCB video posted on social media.
“So, we dedicate this win to the XI fans whom we lost last year,” Patidar said.
Dinesh Karthik says tribute to departed fans made match even more special
Meanwhile, RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik also spoke about the moment he paid tribute to the fans who lost their lives in the stampede outside the stadium last year. He described the Bengaluru crowd as one of the happiest and most energetic in the IPL and their performance against SRH was the perfect way to give something back to the fans.
Dinesh Karthik said in the same video, “I must say, it was quite emotional in the beginning when we were all standing and the air became cool. It was good that we honored them, and then the way they always cheer is second to none. There is a lot of passion when it comes to RCB.”
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Karthik further added, “When the bus comes into the ground, the people who are just looking at you – that in itself is an inspiration – and then in the ground, the energy. And we are definitely one of the loudest, most joyous and happiest stadiums. So, it is a bit packed, and I am very happy that we have put on a very important performance.”
-Let’s take you to the team’s dressing room to find out more!
Another chasing masterclass from Virat, a brilliant innings from Dev, a lethal spell from Duffy that made it sensational, brilliant fielding from Salty and our love… pic.twitter.com/CT6xdat6rF
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 29 March 2026
