In an exhilarating season opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets, kicking off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 journey on a high note. RCB’s captain, Rajat Patidar, dedicated the victory to the 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede last year. “This win is for the 11 fans we lost last year,” Patidar expressed in a heartfelt video shared by RCB on Instagram.
RCB successfully chased down a target of 202 runs in just over 15 overs, with Virat Kohli’s stellar half-century leading the charge. Reflecting on the emotional atmosphere of the match, RCB’s batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik noted, “It was quite emotional at the start when we all stood in silence. Honoring them felt right. The energy from our fans is unmatched; their passion motivates us every time we step onto the field. The stadium was electric, and it was wonderful to deliver a strong performance in front of such supportive fans.”
Patidar acknowledged the crucial contributions of Kohli and Padikkal in setting up the chase. “The way Devdutt and Virat began was fantastic, providing us with a solid foundation. We aimed to finish the chase quickly, and the team’s batting was phenomenal; they bowled well too,” Patidar remarked.
RCB’s head coach Andy Flower praised the team’s effort, stating, “That was an incredible win. I believe it’s the fastest 200-run chase in IPL history. A remarkable start for us in 2026. Well done!”