IPL 2026, RCB vs SRH Probable XIIs: IPL 2026 will start with the match played between defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match will start at 7:30 pm at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match will also be special for Chinnaswamy Stadium because top-level cricket is returning here after about 10 months.

But in this match both the teams will enter without their star bowlers.

Which players will RCB bet on?

RCB is the champion of last season and is looking strong on home ground. However, the team has suffered initial setbacks. Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will not be able to play in the opening match, while Yash Dayal is out of the entire season. Nuwan Thushara has also failed in the fitness test. In such a situation, the command of bowling can be with bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyyash Sharma and Jacob Duffy.

Romerio Shepherd and Krunal Pandya can also be seen playing important roles. At the same time, Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar are going to be the first choice among batsmen.

SRH will enter with a new captain

SRH team is also known for aggressive batting. But Pat Cummins is not playing in the initial matches, so Ishan Kishan will take over the captaincy. Apart from Ishan Kishan, there will also be a big responsibility on Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. At the same time, everyone's eyes are going to be on Heinrich Klaasen.

Young players like Salil Arora, Aniket Verma and Harsh Dubey can be seen debuting in the team.

Probable playing 11 of both the teams

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethel/Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyyash Sharma, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Salaam.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Ishan Kishan (captain, wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone/Ishan Malinga, Salil Arora, Aniket Verma, Harsh Dubey, Braydon Carse, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat.