ipl 2026 The season started with a big clash between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and this Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This opening match is a repeat of the high-scoring thriller of 2024, set against the backdrop of a Chinnaswamy rush.
RCB begins their title defense Rajat PatidarThe man who led them to their historic first trophy in 2025. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan Took over the reins of SRH as interim captain pat cummins He is expected to miss the initial stages of the tournament.
RCB are entering history as “defending champions” for the first time, with a new look with title sponsor Nothing and a core team focused on consistency. SRH, known for their record-breaking aggression, will look to spoil the party with their explosive top order travis head And Abhishek Sharma.
RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026: Match Details
- date and time: 28 March; 7:30pm IST/2pm GMT
- venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
RCB vs SRH, head-to-head record in IPL
matches played: 25 | rcb won: 11 | SRH won: 13 | no result/tied: 1
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a batsman’s dream, characterized by its remarkably flat surface, high altitude and lightning-fast outfield that reliably produces high-scoring thrillers. With its famously small boundaries – averaging only 55 to 65 meters square – even wrong edges often cleared the ropes, putting enormous pressure on the bowling units. Historically, the surface suggests pace for the new ball under lights, but once the powerplay ends, the track usually turns into a highway where scores north of 200 are the norm. As the evening progresses, the significant dew factor often makes it difficult for spinners and death over specialists to catch the ball, making chasing a heavy tactical priority for any captain who wins the toss.
Also read: BCCI announces the schedule of the second phase of IPL 2026
squads
RCB: Rajat Patidar (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Jordan Cox, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bettall, Venkatesh Iyer, Satwik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chauhan, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Abhinandan Singh. jacob duffy
SRH: Ishan Kishan (captain), Aniket Verma, Smaran Ravichandran, Salil Arora, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Harsh Dubey, Brydon Carse, Shivang Kumar, Cranes Phuletra, Liam Livingstone, David Payne, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Malinga, Saqib Hussain, Omkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, Prafulla Hinge, Shivam Mavi, Pat Cummins
RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026: Today Match Prediction
Case 1:
- RCB won the toss and bowled first
- SRH’s powerplay score: 50-60
- SRH total score: 190-210
Case 2:
- SRH won the toss and bowled first
- RCB’s powerplay score: 40-50
- RCB total score: 170-190
Match result: The team that bowls first wins the competition.
Also read: Here’s why there will be no opening ceremony for IPL 2026