Virat Kohli's Strategic Play Leads RCB to Victory in IPL 2026 Opener

In the IPL 2026 season opener, Virat Kohli's strategic approach and a record-breaking chase propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli's slower start was a deliberate tactic, allowing him to accelerate later in the game. With significant contributions from Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, RCB chased down a target of 202 runs in just 15.4 overs, marking the fastest 200-plus run chase in IPL history. Explore the match details and Kohli's insights into his gameplay.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 18:43 IST

Kohli's Intentional Slow Start

Sanjay Bangar, the former head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), revealed that Virat Kohli's slower start during his impressive innings of 69 runs off 38 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was a calculated decision. In the IPL 2026 season opener, RCB aimed to chase down SRH's target of 202 runs and began with a rapid score of 51/1 within just four overs. However, most of these runs were contributed by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 34 runs off 11 balls, while Kohli managed only seven runs from six deliveries.

Partnership and Strategy

As Padikkal continued his explosive innings, scoring 61 runs off 26 balls, Kohli took the opportunity to settle in and find his rhythm. The two players formed a solid partnership of 101 runs, with Bangar emphasizing that Kohli's slower start was part of a strategic approach.

Bangar elaborated that Kohli does not need to accelerate his scoring if his teammates are performing well. He possesses the skill to increase his strike rate and hit boundaries when necessary. "If the batsmen around him are doing the job, then he doesn't really have to put the accelerator on. Because he can raise the bar anytime in terms of strike rate... He can hit those boundaries or sixes at will, when he actually needs to be done," Bangar stated during an ESPNcricinfo segment.

Kohli's Late-Game Acceleration

Following Padikkal's dismissal, captain Rajat Patidar entered the game and quickly scored 31 runs off just 12 balls against the spinners. In the final overs, Kohli shifted gears, moving from 50 runs off 33 balls to an unbeaten 69 runs off 38 balls, including a remarkable 19 runs in his last five deliveries.

Bangar noted that Kohli enjoys finishing matches and witnessing his team's victory. "Once he knows that the game is well within control, he takes great joy in hitting those winning runs. Or at least staying there, and watching his team have those winning moments. It has become a habit," he remarked.

Match Summary: IPL 2026 Opener

In the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and recovered from an early collapse to set a competitive total of 201/9. After losing three quick wickets during the power play, Ishan Kishan's outstanding performance, scoring 80 runs off 38 balls, along with significant contributions from the lower order, helped Hyderabad surpass the 200-run mark. Kishan's innings included eight fours and five sixes, while Ankiet Verma added a quick 43 runs off 18 balls.

For RCB, Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd each took three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma claimed one wicket each.

RCB's Record-Breaking Chase

In response, Kohli's match-winning innings of 69 runs off 38 balls, featuring five fours and five sixes, was pivotal. Devdutt Padikkal's impactful 61 runs off 26 balls and Rajat Patidar's quick 31 runs off 12 balls led RCB to a thrilling victory by four wickets. Notably, RCB achieved the fastest chase of 200-plus runs in IPL history, completing the target in just 15.4 overs.