IPL 2026: RCB start title defence with statement win over Sunrisers

After Jacob Duffy made his best Josh Hazlewood impersonation on IPL debut, Devdutt Padikkal, who had replaced him as the Impact Sub, took centerstage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their title defence with a drubbing of Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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Duffy bowled a nerveless spell, taking the new ball and delivering four overs on the trot to come away with 4-0-22-3, including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.

Duffy then put his feet up in his dressing room while Padikkal ripped the heart out of SRH’s attack with a high-intent 61 off 26 balls.

Virat Kohli did his thing and knocked off a fifty (69* off 38) of his own as RCB mowed down 202 with six wickets and 26 balls to spare.

Ishan Kishan had marked his IPL captaincy debut with 80 off 38 balls, but Duffy and Padikkal combined to put that in the shade.

Game Two on Sunday will pit Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders from 10:00h. (ESPNcricinfo)