Fans reaction on RCB beat SRH by 6 wickets in IPL 2026 match 1
Fans celebrate RCB’s 6-wicket win over SRH in IPL 2026 opener, praising Kohli, Padikkal, and Duffy’s brilliant performances.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru sent a strong message on the opening night of IPL 2026. With good bowling from Jacob Duffy and strong batting, they beat SunRisers Hyderabad by six wickets with 26 balls to spare in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28. Last year, RCB lost their first three home games, but this season they started well, showing they are serious about defending the title.
Ishan Kishan scored 80 and helped his team recover from 29 for 3. But as the stand-in captain in Pat Cummins’s absence, he had a hard time behind the stumps and making on-field decisions.
SunRisers’ bowling attack was weak without Cummins. Leaving out wrist-spinner Shivang Kumar and fast bowler Brydon Carse removed any surprise in their attack.
Key moments that defined the opening clash
Sunrisers Hyderabad, asked to bat first, posted a competitive 201 for nine, thanks largely to a brilliant 38-ball 80 from stand-in captain Ishan Kishan. His innings rescued the side after they were reduced to 29 for three in the fifth over. Ankit Verma chipped in with a quick 43 off 18 balls, while Heinrich Klassen added 31, helping SRH reach a challenging total.
The key difference between the teams was the new-ball attack. Jacob Duffy, a former World No. 1 T20I bowler, ran through the SunRisers' top order, removing Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma within the first four overs. In contrast, SRH lacked a clear plan, and the early turn to struggling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy highlighted the weakness in their attack.
Duffy bowled a composed and decisive spell, taking the new ball and completing four consecutive overs for figures of 4-0-22-3. His early breakthroughs set the tone for RCB, putting constant pressure on the SunRisers and paving the way for a comfortable chase.
Chasing 202 to win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost Phil Salt early but quickly recovered as Virat Kohli joined Devdutt Padikkal to take control in the powerplay. Exploiting the field restrictions, RCB reached a strong 76 for no loss at the end of six overs, setting the tone for the chase.
Padikkal was the star with the bat, continuing his impressive domestic form. Used as an Impact Player, the left-hander smashed 61 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes with perfect timing and placement. Rajat Patidar then played a quick cameo of 31 off 12 balls, further consolidating RCB’s position and putting the game largely beyond SunRisers Hyderabad.
Kohli played a measured yet impactful innings, supporting Padikkal and Patidar while anchoring the chase. He brought up his fifty in 33 balls, marking his 64th IPL fifty and extending his record for the most 50+ scores in IPL history. He also crossed 4,000 runs while batting second in the IPL, becoming only the second player to reach this milestone. Kohli finished unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls, hitting 18 runs in the final over to guide RCB to a comfortable and commanding victory.
Fans celebrate RCB’s winning start on social media
Fans took to social media to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s winning start to IPL 2026. The defending champions’ dominant performance against SunRisers Hyderabad, led by Jacob Duffy’s superb bowling and Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive batting, sparked excitement across platforms.
Supporters praised Virat Kohli’s fluent innings and the team’s clinical execution, sharing highlights and clips of key moments. Memes, GIFs, and congratulatory messages flooded Twitter, Instagram, and X, reflecting the fans’ delight. Many highlighted the strong team combination and early signs of a serious title defense. The victory not only boosted fan morale but also set high expectations for RCB’s season ahead.
Here is how the fans reacted:
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