Bengaluru, March 28 -- Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode on contrasting half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal to begin their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign with a commanding six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Chasing a stiff 202, RCB recovered swiftly from the early loss of Phil Salt as Kohli and Padikkal launched a fierce counterattack. The duo put together a rapid 101-run partnership for the second wicket, propelling the hosts to the three-figure mark inside nine overs after racing to 76 in the powerplay. Padikkal, who came in as the Impact substitute in place of Jacob Duffy, played a breathtaking knock of 61 off just 26 balls, striking sev...