Kohli hits fifty as RCB open IPL with impressive win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203-4 (15. 4 overs): Kohli 69* (38), Padikkal 61 (26) Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 69 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru began the defence of their Indian Premier League title by cruising past Sunrisers Hyderabad. India great Kohli, 37, batting for the first time since January, played the anchor role perfectly as RCB chased down 202 in just 15.

4 overs in the tournament's season opener. Devdutt Padikkal added 61 from 26 balls and RCB captain Rajat Patidar 31 from 12, although England opener Phil Salt sliced a catch to cover for eight. Salt, who comes into the IPL after a quiet T20 World Cup, did take a sensational diving catch on the deep cover boundary in Sunrisers' 201-9.

Salt's one-handed effort dismissed India's Ishan Kishan on 80 from 38 balls in the 16th over, after which Sunrisers were unable to kick on further on a flat pitch perfect for batting. New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy, playing in the place of injured Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood, was impressive for his 3-22. Gloucestershire and England left-armer David Payne also took 2-35 on his IPL debut - he was signed as a late injury replacement at Sunrisers - but his side were unable to stop RCB's rampant chase.

It was the quickest successful pursuit of a score in excess of 200 in the IPL while Kohli now has 21 scores of 50-plus in successful chases - another record in the competition. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians host Kolkata Knight Riders in the second match of the competition on Sunday. Watch Strategic Timeout - the BBC's new IPL iPlayer show A look ahead to the IPL 2026 with Faraaz Noor and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala.