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In the opening match of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bangalore, chasing 202 runs, defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n It was a complete team effort, with everyone coming together at the right time with the ball, on the field and in the chase.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n RCB newbie Jacob Duffy made an immediate impact with the ball in the powerplay. He removed Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy early to put SRH under pressure.<\/p>\n What a way to announce your arrival in the U.S.? #TATAIPL<\/a>! \ud83d\udd25#rcb<\/a> Fans, how would you rate Jacob Duffy’s fast start in the powerplay? \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n Update \u25b6\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/Eo5z0jh4K4<\/a> #khelbindaas<\/a> | #RCBvSRH<\/a> | @RCBTweets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/83xl62EnDO<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2013 IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 28 March 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The New Zealander kept things tight and made smart use of swing and bounce. He set the stage for the match with excellent figures of 3\/22.<\/p>\n His opening spell proved decisive and he was awarded the Player of the Match award in his debut match.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SRH were struggling at 29\/3 when Ishan Kishan stepped up and changed the pace. Playing an aggressive innings, he scored 80 runs in just 38 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes.<\/p>\n Presenting a Show and How \ud83c\udf7f<\/p>\n captain @ishaankishan51<\/a> The fun continues \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n Update \u25b6\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/Eo5z0jh4K4<\/a> #TATAIPL<\/a> | #khelbindaas<\/a> | #RCBvSRH<\/a> | @Sunrisers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YXuAvBIA8v<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2013 IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 28 March 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n During this innings, Kishan also crossed the 3,000-run mark in the IPL, becoming one of the youngest players to reach this milestone.<\/p>\n His innings pulled SRH back into the game and gave them a score worth fighting for.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The turning point came in the 16th over when Phil Salt performed brilliantly on the field. Positioned at point, he dived full to his right and took a brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Kishan.<\/p>\n Picking up right where they left off! \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n defending champion #rcb<\/a> kick them #TATAIPL<\/a> 2026 campaign with a clinical, comprehensive victory #SRH<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n Update \u25b6\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/Eo5z0jh4K4<\/a> #khelbindaas<\/a> | #RCBvSRH<\/a> | @RCBTweets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/q3IAaMP3LK<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2013 IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 28 March 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The catch came at a crucial time, when Kishan looked set to take SRH past 220. Instead, the wicket slowed down their finish and shifted the momentum back to RCB.<\/p>\n Chasing 202, RCB quickly gained momentum thanks to an aggressive start from Devdutt Padikkal. From there, Virat Kohli took control and gave excellent pace to the innings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kohli remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls and ensured that there were no major problems in chasing the target. His calm approach balanced aggression with control.<\/p>\n In the 16th over, with the game still pending, Kohli took on Harshal Patel and hit 6, 4, 4, 4 in four balls. That blast sealed the match and ended all hopes for SRH.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n RCB completed the chase with ease and finished the game with almost four overs remaining.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n RCB’s win was built on strong moments in all phases. Duffy’s early wicket, Salt’s fast fielding and Kohli’s finishing came together perfectly.<\/p>\n Picking up right where they left off! \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n defending champion #rcb<\/a> kick them #TATAIPL<\/a> 2026 campaign with a clinical, comprehensive victory #SRH<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n Update \u25b6\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/Eo5z0jh4K4<\/a> #khelbindaas<\/a> | #RCBvSRH<\/a> | @RCBTweets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/q3IAaMP3LK<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n ![\"reliable](\"https:\/\/www.probatsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/google_preferred_source_badge_light.png\" "\\"IPL"){kind=icon}
<\/a>\n <\/p>\nJacob Duffy’s dream debut<\/h3>\n
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Ishan Kishan’s captaincy innings and 3,000 runs<\/h3>\n
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Phil Salt’s “Screamer”<\/h3>\n
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Virat Kohli’s masterclass ends<\/h3>\n
match talking points<\/h3>\n
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