Irfan Pathan believes SRH's struggles in the powerplay with the bat and ineffective bowling led to their six-wicket loss against RCB in the IPL 2026 opener.

In fact, his 26-ball 61 for RCB was representative of the transformation happening to his batting since 2024 or early 2025.

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin lauded star batter Virat Kohli after his magnificent knock guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Virat Kohli has been urged to reverse his Test retirement take up the team's captaincy in the longest format.

Virender Sehwag refused to let Ravichandran Ashwin off the hook as the latter made his Hindi commentary debut during the RCB vs SRH match in IPL 2026 on Saturday.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru underlined their status as defending champions as they began their IPL 2026 campaign in dominant fashion.

RCB's Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli exploited SRH's bowling lapses, leading to a swift victory in 15.4 overs despite SRH posting 201 for 9.

RCB vs SRH: Devdutt Padikkal's aggressive innings laid the foundation for RCB's win, prompting Virat Kohli to adopt a supporting role during the chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the target of 202 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener with more than 4 overs to spare.

The right-handed batter achieved this historic feat during the IPL 2026 opener between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Rajat Patidar, who led from the front with 12-ball-31, called it a collective effort while singling out Virat Kohli's chase-defining 38-ball-69 not out and debutant Jacob Duffy's impact with the new ball.

Virat Kohli scored 69 not out off 38 balls as RCB hunted down a target of 202 in just 15.4 overs in IPL 2026 opener against SRH.

Virat Kohli was in sublime touch for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a target of 202 in the IPL 2026 opener, Kohli remained unbeaten on 69 as RCB began their title defence in style with a six-wicket win

Devdutt Padikkal's 26-ball-61 crusted with class and Virat Kohli's masterly unbeaten half-century powered RCB to a dominant six-wicket victory over SRH.

Stand-in captain Ishan Kishan smashed a blazing fifty as Sunrisers Hyderabad resisted Jacob Duffy's excellent spell but managed only a slightly below-par 201 for nine against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026

Virat Kohli, apart from being a great batter, is also a terrific fielder. However, in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2026 opener, Kohli dropped an easy catch

IPL 2026 opener: RCB's Phil Salt took a total of three catches, with one of them sparking huge controversy.

Phil Salt took a sensational catch at deep backward point to dismiss Ishan Kishan.