The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match No.1 of the IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28, 2026. This article provides the probable playing XIs of the RCB and SRH, likely team combinations, and key players to watch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are coming into the IPL 2026 as the defending champions, while Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to make it to the playoffs in the last season. Now, both teams are eager to have a winning start to their IPL 2026 campaign in Bengaluru.
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RCB Playing XI vs SRH, Match 1, IPL 2026:
Openers: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt are the backbone of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While Salt is an aggressive opener, Kohli will play the anchor with the duo aiming to provide a flying start to the RCB in the IPL 2026 opener against the SRH at home.
Middle-Order Batters and All-Rounders: Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru has a strong and well-planned batting and all-round lineup. Devdutt Padikkal will play an important role at No. 3. Captain Rajat Patidar will handle the middle overs and make sure the team doesn’t lose control.
Jitesh Sharma will be the wicketkeeper and score some quick runs, while Tim David will focus on hitting big shots in the death overs. Krunal Pandya gives balance to RCB with his all-round skills.
On the other hand, Romario Shepherd adds extra power with his aggressive batting in the lower-middle order as well as swing and effective variations in the death overs.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy
The RCB are all set to depend heavily on their bowlers against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace attack in the absence of Josh Hazlewood. His main job will be to use early swing and stop dangerous batters like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma.
On the other hand, Jacob Duffy is expected to bowl with the new ball. He is in great form and will aim to bowl tight lines on this batting-friendly pitch in Bengaluru.
RCB XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/Nuwan Thusara.
Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma
SRH Playing XI vs RCB, Match 1, IPL 2026:
Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head
Sunrisers Hyderabad will depend heavily on their explosive openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 opener. Head will look to attack from the first ball and put RCB bowlers under pressure early in the game.
Abhishek Sharma will support him with the same aggressive approach at the top. The left-handed batter will aim to continue his form in the tournament on the flat pitch of Bengaluru. If both Abhishek and Head set, they can take the game away from RCB.
Middle-Order Batters and All-Rounders: Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Liam Livingstone, Nitish Kumar Reddy
The SRH has a strong and attacking lineup against the RCB. The stand-in captain, Ishan Kishan will bat at No. 3 and will go after the bowlers after the Powerplay. Heinrich Klaasen remains the main power-hitter in the middle overs, especially against spin.
On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy adds balance with his all-round skill. The Englishman Liam Livingstone brings extra power with the bat, and he is also a handy spinner. Young Aniket Verma will play the finisher’s role.
Bowlers: Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari
The SRH has a strong and dangerous bowling attack for the RCB clash. Harshal Patel’s role will be crucial to stop the flow of runs on the small ground. And then seasoned pacer Jaydev Unadkat’s experience and left-arm angle will hold the key against the home side.
Young Eshan Malinga brings raw pace and can trouble batters early, and then in the middle overs, Zeeshan Ansari will look to trouble the RCB batters with his spin. This mix of experience and young bowlers makes SRH’s bowling attack exciting and dangerous.
SRH XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (C/WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Liam Livingstone, Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari
Impact Player: Kamindu Mendis/ Krains Fuletra
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