RCB’s Virat Kohli, left, points to fans as he walks out with teammate Tim David. (AP photo)
New Delhi: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru started the IPL 2026 by rewriting the record books, pulling off the fastest ever chase of a 200-over target to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.Go beyond boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Chasing 202, RCB raced to 203/4 in just 15.4 overs, sealing the win by 26 balls – the fastest 200-plus ball chase in IPL history. In doing so, they surpassed the previous record set by Rajasthan Royals, who chased down 210 in 15.5 overs against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur last season.
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The emphatic result also improved RCB’s previous standard of chasing 200-plus totals in 16 overs, underscoring the extent of their dominance in the season opener.
Lowest overs taken to complete a 200-over chase in IPL:
| Amounts taken | match | place | year |
| 15.4 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 2026 |
| 15.5 | RR vs GT | Jaipur | 2025 |
| 16.0 | RCB vs GT | Ahmedabad | 2024 |
| 16.3 | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 2023 |
| 17.3 | DC vs GL | Delhi | 2017 |
Kohli-Padikkal partnership achieves record nightThe record-breaking chase was built on a stunning 101 runs off just 45 balls between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.Padikkal set the tone with a 61 off 26 balls, hitting his half-century in just 21 deliveries with a flurry of boundaries. Kohli completed it perfectly with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, showcasing his trademark control and delivery to register his 64th IPL 50th over.
RCB’s intent was clear from the start – 76 runs in the powerplay and 100 runs in just 8.1 overs – as they dismantled SRH’s bowling attack with measured aggression.Captain Rajat Patidar sent down a quick 31 off 12 balls to keep the momentum intact, ensuring there were no hiccups in the chase.Kishan’s efforts have been in vain for sexual and reproductive healthEarlier, SRH scored 201/9 after being put in to bat, with stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan leading the attack with a fluent 80 off 38 balls.After slipping to 29/3, Kishan and Heinrich Klaassen added 97 runs for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings. Klaasen scored 31 runs before falling in a controversial decision over a boundary catch.Debutant Jacob Duffy impressed for RCB with figures of 3/22, leading to the early collapse.Despite the late appearance of Aniket Verma (43), SRH’s total proved insufficient against a rampant RCB side.With this record-breaking chase, RCB not only opened their campaign in style but also sent an early warning to the rest of the league.