Indian famous person Virat Kohli and proficient batter Devdutt Padikkal stole the present within the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, March 28.
Chasing 202 runs for victory in opposition to the SRH, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal have placed on a large 101-run partnership in simply 45 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Padikkal performed an explosive knock of 61 off 26 balls, whereas Kohli anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69.
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal steal the present in IPL 2026 opener
Their robust and entertaining partnership powered RCB to a shocking six-wicket win with 26 balls to spare in opposition to the SRH on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The defending champions had an ideal begin as Jacob Duffy shined on debut, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs to place SRH on the again foot.
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Nevertheless it was Kohli and Padikkal who completed the job, boosting the scoring fee and holding the momentum in RCB’s favor. Taking part in at his house floor, the Karnataka batter appeared calm and in full management, carrying his glorious home type into the 2026 season opener on Saturday.
Nevertheless, it was Kohli’s method on the crease that impressed the previous India and KKR batter Aakash Chopra essentially the most, and he couldn’t cease praising the RCB icon on social media.
His largest energy is to maintain the ego apart: Aakash Chopra hails Virat Kohli
Chopra identified how Virat Kohli let Padikkal play his pure aggressive recreation, by no means letting ego are available the best way, and centered solely on profitable for his crew.
The cricket pandit stated that the previous Indian captain’s maturity and selflessness confirmed why he stays some of the revered leaders and finishers in cricket.
Chopra posted on X: “Kohli’s largest energy is to maintain the ego apart…if Padikkal is smashing, he’s glad to play second fiddle. He did the identical with Rajat. He by no means takes his eyes off the larger image…which is ‘Successful the sport’ for Ji’s crew. Champion participant. 🙌 #RCBvSRH”
Kohli’s largest energy is to maintain the ego apart…if Padikkal is smashing, he’s glad to play second fiddle. He did the identical with Rajat. He by no means takes his eyes off the larger image…which is ‘Successful the sport’ for Ji’s crew. Champion participant. 🙌 #RCBvSRH
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 28, 2026
He fully took the sport away from the opposition: Virat Kohli hails Devdutt Padikkal
In the meantime, Kohli himself showered wealthy reward on Padikkal for his outstanding efforts in opposition to the SRH in Bengaluru. He stated on the post-match presentation: “Excellent knock. I imply, proper from the phrase go, I had plans of going aggressive within the powerplay. However once I noticed him play, I used to be like, simply hold placing him again on strike and choose the odd boundary right here and there.”
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Kohli added, “He fully took the sport away from the opposition. I even advised him that shot he hit off the slower ball over mid-on for six, at that second I stated, simply hold going. You are hitting the ball amazingly effectively, simply hold pushing and take the sport away from the opposition. If we end with 25-26 balls to spare, we’ll additionally profit when it comes to web run fee.”
Notably, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will subsequent tackle the Chennai Tremendous Kings of their IPL 2026 conflict on April 5 on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru earlier than touring to Guwahati to face Rajasthan Royals on April 10.
