SRH 241/4 beat RCB 192/4 | IPL 2026 Scorecard
RCB vs SRH Dream11 team prediction for IPL 2026 Match 1 at Chinnaswamy. Best captain & VC picks, pitch report, head-to-head stats, must-have players and fantasy XI tips for today's match. Rajat Patidar's RCB host Ishan Kishan's SRH.
- 📅 22 May 2026 · 7:30 PM IST
- 📍 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Hyderabad
- 🏆 IPL 2026
- ✅ Playing XI confirmed (22 players)
RCB are the defending IPL 2025 champions — their FIRST EVER title, claimed with a 6-run win over PBKS in Ahmedabad. Rajat Patidar captains the side, with Virat Kohli (657 runs in IPL 2025, avg 54.75, 8 fifties) as their batting cornerstone. Key concern: Josh Hazlewood (hamstring) is awaiting Cricket Australia clearance and may miss the opening match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has joined from SRH and adds valuable death-bowling experience.
SRH face a significant early blow — Pat Cummins (c) is out with a lumbar stress injury and will miss early matches. Ishan Kishan steps up as interim captain. Despite this setback, SRH have a dangerous batting lineup. Travis Head (374 runs IPL 2025, SR 162.60) and Abhishek Sharma provide an explosive opening punch. Ishan Kishan arrives in superb form — 317 runs in 9 T20 WC 2026 matches at SR 193.29.
Kohli at Chinnaswamy is one of the safest captain choices in IPL fantasy. He scored 657 runs last season at 54.75 and was RCB's title-winning top scorer. His home ground record is exceptional and as the batting anchor he faces the most balls. Double points potential is enormous.
Head's explosive powerplay batting on this small ground makes him the ideal VC. He can score 40-60 in the powerplay alone on a good day at Chinnaswamy. His SR of 162.60 in IPL 2025 shows he was in brilliant touch, and this season he arrives motivated to go even bigger.
- Virat Kohli(RCB)
Kohli is virtually undroppable at Chinnaswamy. He scored 657 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 54.75 and was RCB's title campaign top scorer. His eight half-centuries last season demonstrate unparalleled consistency. When Kohli fires in Bengaluru, RCB win — that has been the pattern.
- Rajat Patidar(RCB)
The RCB captain leads the defending champions and carries the responsibility of setting the tone. Patidar is a class act at Chinnaswamy and on home soil his record is excellent. His aggressive strokeplay in the powerplay sets the tempo for RCB innings.
- Travis Head(SRH)
Head is arguably the most destructive powerplay batter in T20 cricket. He scored 567 runs in IPL 2024 (including a century) and 374 runs in IPL 2025 at SR 162.60. His ability to take on any bowling attack from ball one, combined with the short Chinnaswamy boundaries, makes him a nightmare to contain.
- Ishan Kishan(SRH)
Kishan steps up as SRH's interim captain with Cummins injured. He arrives in outstanding form — 317 runs in 9 T20 WC 2026 matches at a strike rate of 193.29. That extraordinary form makes him one of the most dangerous openers in the tournament heading into the season opener.
- Heinrich Klaasen(SRH)
Klaasen is the ultimate match-finisher. He thrives in the death overs on small grounds and has a stunning IPL record, consistently scoring at 175+ strike rate in the back half of innings. At Chinnaswamy, where boundaries are short and the pitch flattens out, he is devastating.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar(RCB)
Bhuvneshwar has made the high-profile move from SRH to RCB and adds critical experience to RCB's bowling attack. His swing with the new ball and precise execution at the death, including the lethal yorker, can be decisive on a surface that offers assistance in the first few overs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won SRH vs RCB?
Defending champions RCB launched their title defence in emphatic fashion, chasing down SRH's imposing 201/9 with 26 balls to spare at a roaring Chinnaswamy. Debutant New Zealander Jacob Duffy was the star with the ball, dismantling SRH's top order with figures of 3/22 including the prized wickets of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Ishan Kishan put on a brilliant display for SRH — 80 off just 38 balls — but it wasn't enough as Devdutt Padikkal's blazing 61(26) and Virat Kohli's composed 69* anchored a dominant chase. RCB are up and running.
Who was Player of the Match in SRH vs RCB?
Jacob Duffy was named Player of the Match. Top batter: Ishan Kishan — 80(38). Top bowler: Jacob Duffy — 3/22.
What is the pitch report for Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad?
Small ground with short boundaries all around. Average first-innings score is 180+. The pitch assists pace bowlers early but flattens out quickly — expect big totals. Dew factor in the second innings makes chasing slightly easier. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, now with RCB, knows this ground well from his days in domestic cricket.
Who should be captain for SRH vs RCB in fantasy cricket?
Virat Kohli is a strong captain pick, with Travis Head as vice-captain. Kohli at Chinnaswamy is one of the safest captain choices in IPL fantasy. He scored 657 runs last season at 54.75 and was RCB's title-winning top scorer. His home ground record is exceptional and as the batting anchor he faces the most balls. Double points potential is enormous.
Who will win SRH vs RCB?
Expect a high-octane run-fest at Chinnaswamy with 185+ totals likely. RCB's defending champion status and Kohli's exceptional home form give the hosts the edge. SRH will be dangerous despite Cummins's absence — Ishan Kishan's form in the T20 WC makes him a huge threat. RCB to start their title defence with a win, with Kohli setting the tone.
How do I play fantasy cricket for SRH vs RCB on CricketDream?
Build a free Fantasy XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, join a snake Draft with friends, or play the Predictor — all on CricketDream. Pick your 11 players before the toss and compete on the live leaderboard.