Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey

For the first time in men’s IPL history, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have a title to defend. The franchise finally emerged victorious on their 18th attempt, with their bowling attack playing a key role in their triumph.

The key question for RCB now is can they back it up? Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal – two bowlers central to their success last season – are not available for this game, so how the attack fares against a strong Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batting lineup makes for fascinating viewing.

Speaking of SRH, they struggled badly in 2025; a season where many predicted them to win the title. The batting lineup oozes quality and sheer power, but can their bowling attack limit opponents, especially in the early absence of Pat Cummins? It won’t be an easy at the usually batting-friendly M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

This article will reference SPODA AI for predictive analysis that could help guide you in creating your fantasy cricket teams. Check out the platform below in the fantasy cricket tips section.

IPL 2026 1st Match: RCB vs SRH Possible Playing XIIs

One of the key questions for RCB is whether the in-form Jacob Bethell can find a place in the XI. Phil Salt had an underwhelming T20 World Cup, but he was outstanding for RCB last season and will likely start.

RCB also have a call to make between Devdutt Padikkal and Venkatesh Iyer. Padikkal had a strike rate of 150.6 at number three last season, while Venkatesh’s numbers at three at outstanding overall in the IPL, with 562 runs at an average of 43.2 and strike rate of 168.8.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1. Phil Salt (OS), 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Devdutt Padikkal/Venkatesh Iyer, 4. Rajat Patidar (c), 5. Tim David (OS), 6. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7. Romario Shepherd (OS), 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Mangesh Yadav, 10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11. Jacob Duffy/Nuwan Thushara (OS), 12. Suyash Sharma

Ishan Kishan will captain and Brydon Carse could line up in the absence of Cummins, who is still managing the back injury he picked up in mid-2025.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Travis Head (OS), 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan (c & wk), 4. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5. Heinrich Klaasen (OS), 6. Aniket Verma, 7. Liam Livingstone (OS), 8. Brydon Carse (OS)/Zeeshan Ansari, 9. Harsh Dubey, 10. Harshal Patel, 11. Shivam Mavi, 12. Jaydev Unadkat

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Pitch Report and Weather

Bowlers did have more of a say at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Benglauru last season, especially in the early stages. The average first innings score was 169 at a run rate of 8.99, with the chasing team winning three of the five matches.

In IPL 2025, pace bowlers took 52 wickets on this ground at an average of 26.62 and economy of 9.71. Spinners took 19 wickets at an average of 35.89 and economy of 8.74.

According to SPODA AI data, RCB have a 72% chance of winning if they bat first, lose one wicket in the powerplay, hit 50 in the death overs and finish with 180. The corresponding figure is 50% for SRH.

Warm and mostly clear conditions are forecast with temperatures around 25 degrees during the match hours. According to AccuWeather, no rain is expected.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for RCB vs SRH: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:

• Ishan Kishan is having a dream year so far. The left-hander has smashed 532 runs at an average of 40.9 and strike rate of 207 in all T20s in 2026.
• Phil Salt was crucial for RCB in 2025. He hit 403 runs at a strike rate of 176 last season, including 62 off 32 balls (SR 193.8) against SRH.

Key batter picks:

• Virat Kohli r has struck 236 runs in his last four matches vs. SRH at an average of 59.00 and strike rate of 156.30. According to SPODA AI data, Kohli has a 48.65% chance of scoring 30 or more in this game.
• Travis Head has smashed 200 runs in the IPL on this ground at an average of 66.7 and strike rate of 185.2.
• Abhishek Sharma had an under-par T20 World Cup, but he smashed a rapid fifty in the final. He is yet to score a fifty in 10 matches vs. RCB, but he has scores of 34, 31 and 34 in his last three matches against them at a strike rate of 190.4.

Top allrounder picks:

• Krunal Pandya is selected in over 70% of Dream11 teams for this match. Krunal was vital for RCB in their title-winning season. He strikes at 149.1 with the bat against SRH (261 runs) and has 12 wickets at a strike rate of 19.6 (econ. 7.58). Expect him to bowl more against SRH’s right-handed middle order.
• Given RCB are missing experience in their bowling attack, expect Romario Shepherd to be called on to bowl overs. He is also an excellent finishing option for RCB, especially if they bat first.

Key bowler picks:

• Bowler picks can be tricky in this game. Harshal Patel bowls in the crunch death overs which bring wicket-taking opportunities. SPODA AI gives a 36.59% probability that Patel will take 2+ wickets in this match.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be vital against SRH’s strong top order with his ability to swing the ball. He dismissed Travis Head cheaply last season (5 balls, 6 runs, 1 wicket).

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Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Heinrich Klaasen has scored 91 runs off his last 44 balls at M Chinnaswamy. Overall against RCB, Klaasen has smashed 234 runs (avg. 46.8, SR 196.6). However, his returns in all T20s have not been as prolific since the start of 2025 (1,117 runs, avg. 27.9, SR 144.3).
• Like last season, the Bengaluru pitch could have extra bounce given there hasn’t been a game there for a while. This suits Jacob Duffy, who hits a hard length consistently.
• Tim David’s record against SRH makes for good reading: 56 balls, 105 runs, avg. 35, SR 187.5.
• Liam Livingstone offers great potential as a finisher on this ground. But, he struggled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last season, scoring just 62 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 119.2.
• Venkatesh Iyer’s excellent record at number three in the IPL makes him a strong differential pick.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 26, RCB 11, SRH 14, N/R 1.
• Ishan Kishan’s record at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the IPL: 4 inns, 120 runs, avg. 40, SR 164.4. He smashed 94 off 48 balls on this ground last season.
• Virat Kohli strikes at 170.2 against Harshal Patel in the IPL (47 balls, 80 runs, two dismissals).
• Rajat Patidar struggled at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2025: 6 inns, 90 runs, avg. 15.00, SR 103.4.
• Harshal Patel’s bowling record at Bengaluru: 23 inns, 22 wickets, avg. 34.4, econ. 9.44, SR 21.9.
• Jaydev Unadkat has kept Virat Kohli quiet in the IPL over the years: 66 balls, 74 runs, one wicket.
• Phil Salt has a promising matchup against Jaydev Unadkat. Salt has scored 452 runs against left-arm seam in all T20s since the start of 2025 (avg. 34.8, SR 162.6).
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs. Ishan Kishan in the IPL: 41 balls, 72 runs, one wicket.
• Jacob Duffy has dismissed Travis Head twice in T20s: 13 balls, 17 runs, two wickets.
• Harshal Patel (bowling) vs. Krunal Pandya (batting) in the IPL: 24 balls, 39 runs, one wicket.
• Harshal Patel vs. Phil Salt in the IPL: 15 balls, 43 runs, no wickets.
• Harshal Patel vs. Tim David in all T20s: 17 balls, 24 runs, two wickets.

IPL 2026 1st Match: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today

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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 1st Match: RCB vs SRH Match Prediction Today – Who will win?

A tough match to predict given both teams are without key bowlers. This one will come down to which top order performs strongest. RCB have a little more experience in the bowling department, so will back the home side to win.

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