Abhishek Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan (Agency photo)
With Royal Challengers Bengaluru returning to the Chinnaswamy Stadium as defending champions, their opening encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad promises to be a high-scoring, high-pressure contest.
With explosive players on both sides and predictable conditions conducive to a run, individual brilliance can make the difference.Here are five players who could shape the outcome of today’s match:
1. Virat Kohli
There is no match where Kohli was not in the limelight, and this match is no different. The former RCB captain comes into the season after a prolific year, where he scored 657 runs in IPL 2025 from 15 matches at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71.
Back home, Kohli will once again have the responsibility of setting the tone. With expectations higher than ever after winning the title last season, all eyes will be on how he starts this season.
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2. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek’s final form was a mixture of struggle and redemption. After a quiet T20 World Cup, he bounced back with a crucial half-century in the final. That hit could be the turning point he needs. In IPL 2025, he scored 439 runs in 14 matches, including a stunning 141 against Punjab Kings, scoring 193.39.
SRH will hope to carry this attacking intent into the new season and provide early momentum.
3. Ishan Kishan
Fresh off an impressive T20 World Cup where he finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer behind Sanju Samson, Ishan comes into IPL 2026 with added responsibility. Leading SRH in the absence of Pat Cummins, he will be pivotal in batting and captaincy. Last season, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.59.
A strong start could set the tone for his mission as leader.
4. Travis Head
One of the most dangerous openers in T20 cricket, the header brings aggression from the first ball. The Australian left-hander scored 374 runs in 13 matches last season for SRH, maintaining a strike rate of 162.60. On a batsman-friendly surface like Chinnaswamy, his ability to control the power play could put RCB under immediate pressure.
5. Feel Salt
Salt’s form in the Indian Premier League raises questions after a disappointing T20 World Cup, but the league offers him an opportunity to reset himself. He was a key figure in RCB’s title-winning campaign last season, scoring 403 runs in 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 175.98, including four fifties. If he finds the rhythm early, RCB can once again start at the top.With both teams having strong batting units and the absence of key bowlers, this contest could turn into a run-fest. For RCB, it’s about starting strong as defending champions.