The stage is set for the IPL 2026 opener between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. After a tragic stampede last year, cricket finally returns to this popular venue thanks to the efforts of the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Virat Kohli makes his return for RCB after the ODI series against New Zealand, aiming to kickstart the tournament and showcase his skills. Both teams will be missing their star pacers, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, due to injuries, with Brydon Carse and Jacob Duffy likely to lead the pace attack in their absence. England’s Jacob Bethell misses out for RCB, while Ishan Kishan captains SRH in Cummins’ absence. The match promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting strong batting lineups. The predicted XIs include players like Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal for RCB and Travis Head, Liam Livingstone, and Harshal Patel for SRH. Fans can expect an exciting clash between these two heavyweight teams as the IPL action kicks off.
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