High-scoring game on the cards
Sometimes, because of storied rivalries in the IPL, such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings or RCB vs Mumbai Indians, other contests often take a backseat. At the outset, RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad feels like just another game in the IPL, but these two teams have, over the years, dished out some high-scoring stunners. Think back to the 287 vs 262 game in 2024, or when RCB smoked 206 later that season or when SRH hammered 231 for 6 in Lucknow last season; big runs have defined RCB-SRH games in the recent past.
When these two teams face off in the opening game of IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, expect another high-scoring affair, particularly with both sides light on bowling. Defending champions RCB are starting the season without Josh Hazlewood, their star seamer from IPL 2025, who only arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday night and will sit out the initial part of this season. Yash Dayal is also out for the season, leaving RCB with only Bhuvneshwar Kumar as their seasoned quick.
Jacob Duffy could make his IPL debut in place of Hazlewood but this is his first stint in the league. Among the Indian fast bowlers, RCB have 23-year-old left-arm quick Mangesh Yadav, who is also yet to make his IPL debut and Rasikh Salam, who is also inexperienced. How they go against sixy SRH could shape the contest.
At the other end, SRH also don’t have quality fast bowlers in the mix. Jaydev Unadkat is likely to lead the SRH attack alongside Harshal Patel, with Brydon Carse and Eshan Malinga around. Unadkat had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming 12 wickets in seven games, but Harshal struggled for Gujarat, managing eight wickets and going at an economy of 9.69. The RCB batters, particularly Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, looked in stellar form in the nets and after the high of 2025, will want to cash in on what is expected to be another belter of a pitch at the Chinnaswamy, which both head coaches, Andy Flower and Daniel Vettori, seemed to agree upon.
This is the first time top-flight cricket is returning to the Chinnaswamy since May 17, 2025. It is going to be an emotional return after cricket came to a halt at the venue after a stampede around the stadium during RCB’s title celebrations on June 4 led to the deaths of 11 people. A lot of changes have since gone into the stadium. The RCB players will also be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the people who lost their lives last season.
