RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026: 5 players to keep an eye on in today’s match. cricket news
As Royal Challengers Bangalore return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium as defending champions, their opening encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad promises to be a high-scoring, high-pressure contest. Since both the teams are loaded with explosive batsmen and the conditions are expected to be in favor of runs, individual talent can make a lot of difference.Here are five players who could influence the outcome of today’s game:
1. Virat Kohli
There is no match where Kohli is not in focus and this is no different. The former RCB skipper comes into the season after another stellar year, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 in IPL 2025. Kohli will once again play the responsibility of creating the atmosphere on his home ground. With expectations higher than ever after last season’s title triumph, all eyes will be on how he starts this campaign.
2. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek’s recent form has been a mixture of struggle and liberation. After a quiet T20 World Cup, he bounced back with a crucial half-century in the final. That knock could be the turning point he needs. In IPL 2025, he scored 439 runs in 14 matches, including a brilliant inning of 141 against Punjab Kings at an average of 193.39. SRH will hope to carry that attacking intent into the new season and provide the early momentum.
3. Ishan Kishan
Fresh from an impressive T20 World Cup campaign, where he finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer behind Sanju Samson, Ishan is entering IPL 2026 with added responsibility. Leading SRH in the absence of Pat Cummins, he will be at the center of both their batting and leadership. Last season, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.40 and strike rate of 152.59. A strong start could decide the direction of his captaincy tenure.
4. travis head
One of the most dangerous opening batsmen in T20 cricket, Head brings aggression from the very first ball. The Australian left-hander scored 374 runs in 13 matches for SRH last season while maintaining a strike rate of 162.60. On a batting-friendly surface like Chinnaswamy, his ability to dominate in the powerplay can put RCB under immediate pressure.
5. Phil Salt
After a disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, Salt’s form in the IPL raises questions, but the league gives him a chance to get ready again. He was a key figure in RCB’s title-winning campaign last season, scoring 403 runs in 13 innings at a blistering strike rate of 175.98, which included four fifties. If he finds his rhythm quickly, RCB can once again make a great start at the top.With both teams having powerful batting units and missing key bowlers, this encounter could turn into a run-fest. For RCB, it is all about making a strong start as the defending champions.