1st Match

B0$ Awesome. Have heard a lot of good things about Bangalore and RCB. Hell of a way to start the campaign. Just keeping the big fella's seat warm (talking about Hazlewood). We have identified that the new ball does a little bit in Bangalore. We talk a lot about things and what works here. Slightly different wicket. Haven't seen a wicket with that kind of bounce in the last couple of months here. While the ball's hard and new here, it's the best time to bowl.

B0$ The way boys played and everybody chipped in was a positive sign. Duffy was playing his first match and the way he bowled was the turning point for us. Not a policy but we're assessing the wicket and the wicket was good to bat. The way Virat Kohli and Padikkal played was a good base. No words for him. Everytime he goes in and when the team is chasing, he's the number one batter and he was there at the end. It was a terrific catch by Phil Salt. I was surprised. But as we know he's a terrific fielder. Was trying my best to create an impact in this match. Was a situation in which we could've finished it off quickly.

B0$ \n228 vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025 \n204 vs KXIP, Bengaluru, 2010 \n202 vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2026* \n201 vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2024 \n \n- This is also the second-highest successful chase against SRH after KXIP gunned down 206 runs at Hyderabad in 2014. \n \nB1$ \n15.4 - RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2026* \n15.5 - RR vs GT, Jaipur, 2025 \n16.0 - RCB vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2024 \n16.3 - MI vs RCB, Wankhede, 2023 \n17.3 - DC vs GL, Delhi, 2017 \n \nB2$ \nIPL 2025: 59* (36) vs KKR, Kolkata \nIPL 2026: 69* (38) vs SRH, Bengaluru \n \nB3$ \n100 (63) \n42 (20) \n51 (43) \n43 (25) \n69* (38) — today \n \nB4$ \n4027 - Virat Kohli* \n3285 - David Warner \n3238 - Rohit Sharma \n2843 - Shikhar Dhawan \n2832 - Robin Uthappa

B0$ Thanks for such lovely words. It’s good to get back out there. You mentioned T20 cricket, the last game I played was the final last year, but I think the way I batted in the one-day series quite recently really helped me to stay in that same kind of momentum. I wasn’t playing shots that I don’t usually play. So I knew as long as I have the rhythm, and I’ve put enough work physically behind the scenes with my fitness, things should come together nicely. And yeah, tonight was another chance to start strong and build on this. The kind of scheduling that we’ve had over the last 15 years and the amount of cricket I’ve played, for me, there was always a risk of getting burnt out rather than being undercooked. So these breaks help me mentally. I stay fresh, I stay excited. Whenever I come back to play, it’s 120%. I’m not coming back underprepared. In fact, the extra rest helps me mentally freshen up. And as long as you’re physically fit and mentally excited, both those things come together nicely. Then you’re able to contribute to the team’s cause, and that’s what you want to do as a player. You don’t want to just hold on to a spot; you want to keep performing and keep putting in the work for the team. (Padikkal's knock) Outstanding knock. I mean, right from the word go, I had plans of going aggressive in the powerplay. But when I saw him play, I was like, just keep putting him back on strike and pick the odd boundary here and there. He completely took the game away from the opposition. I even told him, that shot he hit off the slower ball over mid-on for six, at that moment I said, just keep going. You’re hitting the ball amazingly well, just keep pushing and take the game away from the opposition. If we finish with 25-26 balls to spare, we’ll also benefit in terms of net run rate. His knock was tremendous. I’ve seen him at close quarters, the skill he has and now he’s applying it. This is also at the back of a great domestic red-ball season. His timing, head position, balance, absolutely world-class. I know what he can do with the bat when he’s confident, and tonight was a display of his sheer talent.

B0$ I think definitely the wicket played well after the first 3-4 overs. You know, we lost a few early wickets, and we have to take care of that maybe next time because, looking at the wicket in the second innings, it was pretty much easier to bat on and the ball was coming on quite well. So yeah, we’ll have to be a little smart with the shot selection next time. But yeah, we did well after losing track, which gives a lot of confidence to us. You know, especially you have to give some credit to the batters as well, the way they batted, especially Virat Bhai while chasing. It’s very important to get his wicket as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he keeps on going, it’s hard to stop him. We’ll have to work a little hard. It’s the first game and these mistakes are acceptable for now. We’ll be a little more cautious with the bowling, areas where we need to execute, and we might be stronger from the next game. I actually enjoyed it a lot, you know, enjoyed every moment of it. It’s IPL, so sometimes nerves are there. But we’ll get better with this as a team. What else can I say about the captaincy? If we win the games coming ahead, it will be much easier for us going ahead in the tournament.

B0$ RCB proving way too good for SRH in the season opener. Granted it was an excellent toss to win, but the way they've outplayed the opposition has been special. Conditions flattened out completely in the second innings and the hosts were unstoppable as they went about the run chase. Devdutt Padikkal started the carnage, captain Rajat Patidar took over the mantle after his dismissal, and then Virat Kohli capped it off. Some of the decisions were curious from Sunrisers - not using Eshan Malinga and Harshal Patel at all in the powerplay despite things getting out of control. But the way Padikkal was going, don't think it would've mattered. He put on a show and there was plenty for the home crowd to cheer about. Kohli's late flourish was the icing on the cake.

Harshal Patel to Virat Kohli, B0$, that's it! B1$ As emphatic as it gets from the defending champions who have laid down the marker on the opening night of the season. Kohli puts the finishing touches. Slower bouncer outside off, he reaches out and connects nicely with the upper-cut. No stopping it!

Harshal Patel to Virat Kohli, B0$, all class! Gives the charge, makes some room and smashes it over extra cover. Went to the boundary like a bullet

Harshal Patel to Virat Kohli, B0$, takes on the bumper and gets it over the keeper's head! Pace off into the pitch, gets big on Kohli but he gets away with it. Bit of a top-edge or glove maybe

Harshal Patel to Virat Kohli, B0$, launched down the ground! Slower one that's right in the slot for Kohli who gets under it with a clean swing through the line

B0$

B0$becomes the first batter in IPL history to cross 4000 runs in chases.

David Payne to Virat Kohli, 1 run, short of length outside off, Kohli punches through the covers

David Payne to Tim David, 1 run, pulled away behind square

David Payne to Tim David, B0$, carves it over extra cover and it goes all the way! Slower one angled away, David reaches out and gives a glimpse of the enormous power he possesses

David Payne to Tim David, B0$ slower bouncer that loops over David's head

David Payne to Tim David, B0$, proper tennis-style smash from David! Slower bumper angling away, he goes flat-batted and hits it over extra cover. Fielder misjudges it in the deep. Not sure if it would've been a catch, but surely he could've cut off the boundary had he not taken the longer route

David Payne to Virat Kohli, 1 run, B0$ That's what the crowd has come for, and their hero hasn't disappointed. Slower short ball, he drags the pull to deep midwicket and ambles across while a cheer goes across the ground. Raises his bat to acknowledge the applause

David Payne to Tim David, 1 run, slower bouncer angled away, David tries a flat-batted smash but mistimes it to mid-off

B0$ \n- The Padikkal-Kohli Century Stand: The duo stitched together a sensational 101-run stand. \n- Padikkal hits a "Special" Fifty (7.6): Joint second-highest by an Indian for RCB. \n- Klaasen’s costly Miss (8.1): Dropped a sitter when Kohli was on 29. \n- Halfway Mark Dominance: RCB reached 126/1 after 10 overs. \n- SRH’s Bowling Woes: Without Cummins, the SRH attack looked toothless. \n- WICKET! Patidar falls after a quickfire start (13.2): He scored 31 off 12 balls.

Timeout! Barely any life left in this game. Payne did strike twice in two balls but RCB still have six wickets in hand while needing less than six an over.

Jaydev Unadkat to Tim David, 1 run, slower one, short of length, David drags the pull to deep square leg

Jaydev Unadkat to Tim David, B0$, SRH review a wide call! Slower bumper from round the wicket, loops over David's head and the umpire feels it's too high. Let's see what ball-tracking says. David's height is 1.95 meters and this has gone at 2.04 meters. Onfield call is upheld

Jaydev Unadkat to Virat Kohli, 1 run, short and wide, slower one, Kohli mistimes the cut through point

Jaydev Unadkat to Virat Kohli, no run, slower short ball just outside off, Kohli glides it to backward point

Jaydev Unadkat to Tim David, 1 run, full delivery just outside off, David goes hard at it and mistimes it down the ground. It bounces over Unadkat's head and David is through for the single

Jaydev Unadkat to Virat Kohli, 1 run, pace on this time, good length on off, Kohli knocks it down to long-on

Unadkat from round the wicket

Jaydev Unadkat to Tim David, 1 run, slower bumper angled in, holds in the pitch and David has to wait for the pull. Drags it to deep square leg

B0$

David Payne to Tim David, 1 run, back of a length on middle and leg, another slower off-cutter and David tucks it through midwicket

David Payne to Tim David, no run, short of length on off, punched to short cover

David Payne to Tim David, no run, short of length on middle, slower off-cutter, David taps it gently in front of cover and plays out the hattrick ball. Kohli was eager for the single but was sent back

B0$

David Payne to Jitesh Sharma, B0$ Caught by Jaydev Unadkat!! Payne has two in two! Short one at the body, pace off and Jitesh has pulled it straight to deep backward square. Didn't quite get hold of it and was probably high off the bat. B1$,

David Payne to Jitesh Sharma, B0$ Caught!!

B0$

David Payne to Rajat Patidar, B0$ Caught by Harsh Dubey!! Perfect execution of the wide slower one from Payne. Over the wicket, angles it away and makes Patidar reach for the big shot. His bottom hand comes off and he miscues it straight up off the toe-end. Comfortably taken by Dubey at mid-off. Too little too late for SRH. B1$,

David Payne to Rajat Patidar, B0$ Caught!!

David Payne to Virat Kohli, 1 run, slower ball dug into the pitch, Kohli pulls to deep midwicket

B0$

Eshan Malinga to Virat Kohli, 1 run, tad short outside off, slapped to mid-off for one. The over finally comes to an end - B0$

Eshan Malinga to Virat Kohli, B0$, goes wide outside off and misses the tramline once again. That's the fourth wide of the over

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, 1 run, B0$ This was worked through the leg-side with soft hands by Rajat Patidar

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, B0$, B1$ RCB - the defending champions. They are playing like champions. Living upto all those expectations. Captain leading from the front. A length delivery by Eshan Malinga, right into the slot and it has been smoked over deep mid-wicket by the skipper

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, B0$, slower one attempted, but it's a wide ball outside off. SRH have reviewed the umpire's decision. They think this is inside the tramline. Replays suggest this is clearly outside the guideline. Was close to the bat as Rajat Patidar tried to reach out for it, but UltraEdge confirms there was no bat involved, there was clear daylight

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, B0$, what a convincing shot! Another clean strike. Eshan Malinga goes full this time around, right into the slot, Rajat Patidar picks the length to perfection and launches it over long-on for a towering six. Couldn't have hit it any better

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, B0$, yet another wide ball by Eshan Malinga. Goes short outside off and once again the ball sails over the batter

Eshan Malinga to Rajat Patidar, no run, fraction short outside off, Rajat Patidar looks to cut this away, miscues it into the off-side