RCB vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026 Today’s Match Updates: The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of the IPL 2026 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The clash is expected to be a high-scoring thriller with several explosive batters in action.

Both sides have a strong batting line-up, but have the thinnest pace-bowling lineup in the league. The Bengaluru-based franchise will be without Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, who played an important role in RCB’s title-winning campaign. SRH will be without their regular captain, Pat Cummins, who is sidelined till the mid-season.

RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, along with SRH’s Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, will look to smash the bowlers on the true batting surface. RCB won their maiden IPL title in 2025 after delivering consistent good performances throughout the season. SRH batters posted big totals in the 2024 season by playing with aggressive intent, but failed to repeat the same performances in 2025.

The Hyderabad-based franchise finished in the sixth position and missed out on a playoff spot after losing four out of the last five league matches last season. They will be aiming for a great start against the defending champions.

Kohli played a key role in the franchise’s title-winning season, smashing 657 runs at an average of 54.75 and striking at 144.71. He was the leading run-getter for RCB and the third-highest overall of the season. RCB will be aiming to become only the third franchise to retain the IPL title after Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020).

Stay tuned for all the live updates of the match!