RCB Prepares for IPL 2026 Opener Against Sunrisers Hyderabad
RCB Gears Up for IPL 2026 Season Opener
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 27: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning champions, are set to kick off the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season by facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium this Saturday. Ahead of the match, Head Coach Andy Flower emphasized that the team is embracing a new perspective as they enter the tournament as title holders.
“While we are the champions from last year, this is a fresh start, and we are eager for the upcoming challenges. Change is a constant in life. Our team has evolved; the players have gained experience, and our rivals have also progressed. The conditions may vary, making this IPL a distinct challenge compared to the previous one, and we are looking forward to it,” Flower stated in a press release from RCB.
Reflecting on past experiences at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower mentioned that the team has learned valuable lessons from their previous matches at this venue.
“Last year, we lost our first three games here, and those experiences taught us a lot. The conditions might differ this time, so we need to evaluate that. However, playing at home usually gives you a better grasp of the conditions than your opponents. We have been practicing here and discussing these factors extensively, so I believe we will have an edge over the opposition on our home ground,” he remarked.
Flower also highlighted the leadership within the team, commending captain Rajat Patidar and his vice-captain Jitesh Sharma.
“It’s remarkable that Rajat, in his inaugural year as captain, led RCB to victory. He is well-liked and respected in the locker room. His calm demeanor is appreciated by the bowlers. Jitesh is an excellent deputy, full of energy, tactically astute, and has a great view of the game from behind the stumps, making their collaboration invaluable for the team,” he added.
On the topic of Virat Kohli's form, Flower expressed confidence in the senior batsman's mindset and preparation for the season.
“Virat is in a great mental space. He is comfortable with himself yet remains highly motivated, and seeing him hit the ball in practice, he appears to be at his best,” Flower noted.
Discussing the bowling lineup, Flower expressed optimism about the domestic seamers in the squad.
“We are pleased with our Indian seamers. Rasikh has improved significantly since last year and has worked diligently on his skills. We are also excited about our new recruit Mangesh, and Abhinandan has shown promising progress recently. All three possess qualities that could serve them well if given the chance in this tournament,” Flower stated.
Additionally, Flower provided an update on Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
“Hazlewood arrived yesterday and looks fit. It’s wonderful to have him back in the dressing room and participating in our meetings. He won’t be available for tomorrow’s match due to his recent arrival, but we will keep a close eye on his fitness, and we look forward to his participation in the IPL soon,” he concluded.