IPL 2026: Players to watch out for in RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener

The prestigious T20 league, the Indian Premier League (IPL) once again returns after its successful 18^th edition, which saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) end their trophy drought and claim their maiden title. As the season kickstarts, in the IPL 2026 season opener, the defending champions, RCB will host the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

While it will only the second time in IPL history that the two will be facing each other in an IPL opener, the upcoming game promises a lot with several match-winners poised to shape the contest. Here in this article, we have put down names of four players who are expected to perform as the match sets the tone of the season.

4 Players to watch out for in RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opener

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, who has been the backbone of the franchise since its inception, will definitely be the player to watch out for in the IPL 2026 season opener. Although the 37-year-old has retired from T20I and Test cricket, continues to play for RCB in the franchise league. With a lot of experience backing him, and an exceptional 2025 season, where he scored 657 runs in 15 matches, RCB will look at him to continue his form and open the inning alongside Phil Salt. This new version of Kohli strikes the fastest he has ever hit!

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Rajat Patidar

Another name from the defending champions is their skipper Rajat Patidar. After leading the franchise to their maiden IPL title in 2025, the franchise has a lot of expectations from the top-order batter. The team will hope that Patidar gets a lot of runs on board for the side and help them at crucial phases of the tournament, hoping to repeat the title victory. His spin-hitting abilities are second to none in the IPL!

Abhishek Sharma

The opening Indian batter and hard-hitter of the ball, Abhishek Sharma has been the strength of SRH in the IPL. Abhishek, who was retained by the franchise ahead of IPL 2026 mini-auction, scored 439 runs across 13 innings at a strike rate of 193.39 in IPL 2025. While he will play a key role as an opener, he also proves crucial for SRH – bringing in his bowling to the front as a slow left-arm orthodox. He had an iffy T20 World Cup, but Abhishek would love to play in his attacking style to torment RCB.

Ishan Kishan

Coming from a brilliant T20 World Cup 2026, helping India retain the title of T20 world champions, SRH will have some high expectations from Ishan Kishan. While the franchise has vouched on him to lead the side in absence of Pat Cummins, who is struggling to regain complete fitness, Ishan Kishan will have to shoulder the responsibility with the bat, especially seeing him accumulate 317 runs in 9 innings in the T20 World Cup 2026.

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