RCB vs SH, March 28 -- Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 tournament opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.

This is only the second time these sides have met in the tournament's very first game. The last was in 2017, when SRH were the reigning champions. The tables are now turned.

RCB is returning to M Chinnaswamy stadium with mixed emotions after 11 fans died celebrating the team's title triumph outside the venue last year. Players will wear black armbands, and 11 seats will be left vacant permanently.

SRH hold a slight overall edge in this rivalry, having won 13 of the 26 IPL meetings between the sides, against RCB's 11 wins. However, at Chinna...