RCB vs SRH IPL records: Head-to-head, pitch report, weather update
IPL 2026 commences with a thrilling encounter between defending champions RCB and 2016 winners SRH. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, face challenges with key pacers missing, while SRH will be without Pat Cummins. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is set for a high-scoring affair with clear skies predicted.
NEW DELHI: The stage is set. IPL 2026 is here, and the tournament kicks off with a mouth-watering clash between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. SRH will be without their regular skipper Pat Cummins for the initial phase, with Ishan Kishan stepping in as stand-in captain.
Rajat Patidar, who led RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025, will continue to lead the side this season. However, RCB will miss the services of key pacers Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, both of whom played crucial roles in last year’s triumph. In their absence, the responsibility with the new ball will fall on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav.
RCB’s batting, meanwhile, looks formidable on paper. With Virat Kohli at the top, the likes of Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer and Romario Shepherd add depth and firepower. SRH, too, boast an explosive batting line-up featuring Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma at the top.
Their middle order is equally strong, with Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Liam Livingstone capable of turning the game on its head. The IPL 2026 season will be played across 12 venues in India from March 28 to May 31, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur and New Chandigarh. IPL 2026, RCB vs SRH: PITCH REPORT The surface at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to heavily favour batters - in short, a batting paradise awaits.