RCB Triumphs with Record Chase in IPL 2026 Opener

In an exhilarating start to the IPL 2026 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved a historic chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad, winning by six wickets. With Virat Kohli scoring 69 runs and Devdutt Padikkal contributing a blistering 61, RCB reached the target of 202 runs with 26 balls to spare. The match showcased Kohli's record-breaking milestones and Padikkal's explosive batting, setting a new standard for the tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite a shaky start, managed to post a competitive total of 201 runs, led by Ishan Kishan's impressive 80. This thrilling encounter promises an exciting season ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 00:24 IST

RCB's Historic Chase

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) commenced the IPL 2026 season with a spectacular victory, overcoming Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

In a remarkable display, RCB achieved the fastest chase of over 200 runs in IPL history. They successfully chased down a challenging target of 202 runs with 26 balls remaining, thanks to the exceptional performances of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.

Kohli's Stellar Performance

RCB's innings kicked off with a few boundaries from Phil Salt, who was dismissed early for eight runs. However, Kohli showcased his brilliance, scoring 69 runs off 38 balls, including five sixes. He made history by becoming the first player to reach 6000 runs in T20 cricket and the first in IPL to surpass 4000 runs in successful chases.

Padikkal's Explosive Innings

Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer during the middle overs, scoring 61 runs off just 26 balls at an impressive strike rate of 234.62. His innings included four sixes and seven fours, effectively dismantling the SRH bowling attack. Contributions from Rajat Patidar (31 off 12) and Tim David (16) ensured a smooth finish as RCB reached 203/4 in only 15.4 overs.

SRH's Recovery Efforts

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to recover from a shaky start, posting a total of 201/9. After losing three quick wickets during the power play, Ishan Kishan's impressive innings and vital contributions from other players helped Hyderabad surpass the 200-run mark.

Duffy's Impressive Debut

RCB's debutant, Jacob Duffy, made an immediate impact by dismissing the Hyderabad openers cheaply. He took out Abhishek Sharma for seven runs and Travis Head for 11 runs, leaving SRH struggling at 23 runs.

Duffy continued his excellent form by claiming the wicket of Nitish Reddy for just one run, leaving Hyderabad at 49/3 after six overs.

Kishan's Leadership

Stand-in captain Ishan Kishan and wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings, bringing the score to 70/3 in eight overs. By the end of the tenth over, they had reached 87/3.

Late Wickets Hinder SRH

Romario Shepherd broke the crucial 97-run partnership between Klaasen and Kishan, dismissing the latter for 80 runs off 38 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes. Following Kishan's departure, SRH lost two more wickets, finishing their innings at 201/9.

Aniket Verma provided a late surge with a quick 43 runs off 18 balls, but Shepherd's bowling ensured that SRH could not capitalize further.

Bowling Highlights

For RCB, Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd each took three wickets, with Duffy finishing with figures of 3/22 and Shepherd 3/54. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma each claimed one wicket.