Kohli and Duffy star as defending champions RCB overpower Hyderabad

Bengaluru, 22 March 2026 – Virat Kohli stamped his authority on the 2026 Indian Premier League opener, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a polished six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at a vibrant M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday night.

The India great, leading the defending champions for the first time this season, anchored the chase with characteristic composure as RCB overhauled their target with minimal fuss. Kohli’s innings provided the backbone of the reply after the hosts’ new-ball bowlers, spearheaded by Spencer Johnson’s new-ball partner Duffy, had restricted Hyderabad to a modest total.

Duffy, the evening’s surprise package, struck early and often to leave the Sunrisers wobbling, setting the stage for Kohli to finish the contest in style. The victory not only hands RCB an early two-point cushion but also sends an early-season statement that the champions intend to defend their crown with the same intensity that carried them to glory last year.

The win was achieved in front of a raucous home crowd that erupted when Kohli crunched the winning boundary, capping a clinical performance that blended disciplined bowling with measured batting. With the tournament barely underway, RCB have already laid down a marker for the chasing pack.