Kolkata: The BJP It managed to capture 207 seats in the West Bengal Assembly elections, leading to a massive victory over the Trinamool Congress, which was reduced to 80 seats after the late declaration of results from Rajarhat New Town – the constituency which recorded the lowest victory margin in this election.Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party won two seats each, while CPM and All India Secular Front (AISF) won one seat each.The final result from Rajarhat New Town came after long counting, in which BJP candidate Pijush Kanoria defeated Trinamool’s Tapas Chatterjee in a close contest by just 316 votes. After 18 rounds of counting, Kanoria got 1,06,564 votes, while Chatterjee got 1,06,248 votes.The BJP also registered other minor victories across the state. In Satgachhi, BJP’s Agnishwar Naskar defeated Trinamool’s Somashree Betal by 401 votes, while in Raina, BJP’s Subhash Patra defeated Trinamool’s Mandira Dalui by 834 votes.The measure of BJP’s victory was visible not only in seat share but also in vote percentage. The party increased its vote share from 38% in the 2021 assembly elections to 45.84% in 2026, a jump of nearly eight percentage points. Meanwhile, Trinamool’s vote share fell from 48% to 40.8%, a decline of nearly seven percentage points.Despite the vote share difference between the BJP and Trinamool being only 5 percentage points – the smallest difference between the two in the last 25 years – the BJP converted that lead into a major one, winning more than 2.5 times the number of seats secured by the ruling party.Geographically, the BJP’s victory was particularly impressive in several districts, where it completely shut out the Trinamool. The party wiped out the ruling party in eight districts – Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling in north Bengal, and Purulia, Bankura, East Burdwan and Jhargram in the south. In Cooch Behar, Trinamool could win only one seat.The BJP was expected to show a strong performance in areas where it had already built momentum in the recent elections, including North Bengal and Jangalmahal. However, its performance in the second phase of voting proved decisive in turning the contest into a landslide.Of the 152 seats that went to polls in the first phase, the BJP won 109 seats, while the Trinamool won 38 seats.In the second phase, 142 constituencies were scheduled to vote on 29 April, however voting in Falta was canceled and will now take place on 21 May, with results expected on 24 May. Excluding Falta, BJP won 98 of the remaining 141 seats, while Trinamool managed to win 42 seats.The numbers underline the scale of the BJP’s success in a state that has long been considered one of the toughest political battlegrounds.All data points are available on Google Pinpoint.

Epicurus (Image: Wikipedia)

There are some ideas that feel immediately comfortable, and there are some that only become meaningful when life forces people to experience them in person. This quote attributed to Epicurus belongs to the second category. It does not promise easy happiness or suggest that life becomes meaningful only during peaceful moments. Instead, it points to something that many people eventually realize through the experience: Comfort can make life pleasant, but struggle often changes people in deep ways.Most people naturally gravitate toward happiness. They want stable relationships, good times, supportive friendships, and circumstances that make life feel secure. No one wakes up expecting heartbreak, disappointment, or emotional exhaustion. No one actively seeks out hard times. People usually spend a lot of time trying to avoid pain because the pain itself feels uncomfortable and uncertain.Yet life doesn’t always cooperate with those plans. Relationships face challenges, expectations are shattered, people leave, mistakes are made, and circumstances change without warning. During such moments, most people focus only on surviving the difficulty because they cannot immediately see anything of value hidden within the experience. However, looking back years later, many people realize that difficult periods have often changed them in a way that easy periods never did.Perhaps this is what makes this quote interesting. Epicurus appears to suggest that courage is not born within comfort. Courage usually appears when people go through a difficult situation and find that they are still standing.

Today’s Quote by the Greek Philosopher Epicurus

“You don’t develop courage in your relationships by being happy every day. You develop it by surviving tough times and challenging adversity.”

Know the meaning behind Epicurus’ quote

This quote seems to separate happiness from courage, not because happiness lacks value, but because happiness and growth sometimes teach different things. Being happy every day in relationships can create comfort and emotional security, which are important parts of life. But comfort rarely demands too much effort from people. When things are going well, individuals move through life without feeling pressured to discover hidden strengths.Difficult situations create completely different situations. During challenging times, people are often forced to confront feelings they want to avoid. They may be dealing with disappointment, uncertainty, rejection, or fear. Those moments are uncomfortable because they eliminate predictability and force people into unfamiliar emotional territory.Epicurus seems to be suggesting that courage does not come as a sudden gift. It develops slowly. People build courage through experiences that ask something difficult of them. A person who survives emotional pain may discover a resiliency he or she never noticed before. A person who goes through failure may realize that even after losing confidence, he or she can start again.The interesting thing is that people usually do not notice these changes when they are happening. Development often becomes visible only later.

Why do humans naturally run away from trouble?

People generally associate difficult experiences with loss. A person loses mental peace, certainty or emotional balance. Because of this, the first reaction to difficulty is usually resistance. Humans prefer situations that they can control because control creates security.This tendency manifests itself in small ways in everyday life. People avoid uncomfortable conversations because they fear confrontation. People delay making difficult decisions because uncertainty feels stressful. Some people remain in familiar situations simply because unfamiliar situations create anxiety.There is nothing unusual in this behavior. It is deeply human.Yet avoiding every challenge creates another problem. People sometimes protect themselves so carefully that they accidentally avoid experiences that could help them grow. Strength develops with use in the same way muscles develop. If something never faces resistance, it is rarely strong.Many of the qualities that people admire in others emerge from difficult situations rather than easy ones. Patience often develops after waiting for a long time. Wisdom often follows mistakes. Emotional maturity often appears after disappointment.Courage seems to work the same way.

Seeing Epicurus beyond common notions

Epicurus is often incorrectly remembered as someone who encouraged only pleasure and leisure. The misconception probably comes from modern usage of terms related to his philosophy. On hearing his name, many people imagine luxury, indulgence and endless happiness.His views were actually much more thoughtful and balanced.Epicurus believed that pleasure mattered, but he saw pleasure as distinct from endless excitement or material satisfaction. He often emphasized peace of mind, meaningful relationships, and freedom from unnecessary fear. He spent a lot of time asking questions about what truly creates satisfaction and what creates unnecessary suffering.That perspective makes this quote particularly interesting because it fits naturally into his broader thinking. He understood that a satisfying life is not made up entirely of comforts. Humans also need emotional flexibility because uncertainty and difficulty eventually come into every life.

Why do relationships often become unexpected teachers?

Relationships are usually where people discover many things about themselves. During peaceful times, relationships may feel comfortable. Conversations flow naturally, disagreements remain small and the emotional connection feels stable.Difficult times create completely different circumstances.Challenges within relationships often expose parts of people that they had never noticed before. Someone may find that they become impatient during times of stress. Someone else may realize that they avoid difficult conversations altogether. Others may recognize powers they never knew existed.Painful moments within relationships rarely seem meaningful while they are happening. During that period, people usually focus on fixing problems or surviving emotionally difficult situations. Much later, they sometimes realize that those experiences have changed them.Someone who has experienced heartbreak may be more emotionally aware. Anyone who has experienced disappointment can become stronger. A person who has gone through struggle can learn patience and understanding.This process usually feels uncomfortable because it is rarely announced while the development is taking place.

Hard times slowly reshape people in strange ways.

People often think of courage as something dramatic. Movies and stories sometimes present adventure as extraordinary moments that involve big decisions and obvious acts of bravery. Real life often looks very different.Courage often develops quietly.Someone wakes up after a grueling week and continues working.A person experiences failure and still tries again.A person loses self-confidence and gradually rebuilds it.One experiences disappointment and continues to move forward despite uncertainty.These moments may not seem extraordinary from the outside. Most people would not even pay attention to them. Yet these ordinary situations sometimes require immense emotional effort.People rarely become courageous because life remains easy every day. They become courageous because difficult experiences forced them to continue even when continuing seemed challenging.

Other famous quotes from Epicurus

Why do these words still matter in everyday life?

Some quotes remain memorable because they seem inspirational. Others survive because people eventually recognize parts of their experiences inside.This quote appears to be from the second group. Most people eventually discover that the moments they feared most were not always periods of pain. Sometimes those difficult times quietly, without any announcement, gave him a new look.Epicurus appears to suggest that courage is rarely born during perfect days when everything seems easy and predictable. Instead, courage often seems to appear in those moments when life becomes uncertain, and people move forward anyway.Many people are able to understand the truth only by looking back. They realize that difficult experiences don’t just test them. Those experiences also introduced him to powers he didn’t previously know he had.

New Delhi: Due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the government is facing a major shortage of bitumen, which is sure to impact the construction and maintenance of tar roads. While the price of VG-40, the most commonly used grade of bitumen, has almost doubled since the conflict began, its availability has fallen short of the estimated requirement of about six lakh tonnes by July 15 for highway projects alone.Industry insiders said crude availability in the country remains comfortable due to Russian oil imports, but this has not led to improvement in bitumen supply. Russia’s sweet crude cannot produce bitumen grades that are suitable for Indian weather conditions.Russian oil has very low sulfur levels, which naturally produces low bitumen grades such as VG-10 or VG-30 without special processing.“VG-40 is produced from crude oil that we get from West Asian countries and even most of the finished products were imported from these nationals through the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has affected this supply and its impact is felt on the maintenance and construction of highways,” said a person familiar with the developments.The issue was also raised in the last meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGOM) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, in which it was highlighted that non-availability of required quality of bitumen has reduced the pace of highway construction by one-fourth in April, sources said. Officials said the impact is similar in case of rural, municipal and state roads.Industry players said the road transport ministry has notified that highway builders in all types of projects will be adequately compensated for the high price of bitumen, but the main challenge is to get the necessary supplies before monsoon for timely maintenance. The price of one tonne VG-40 across various oil marketing companies (OMCs) rose from Rs 53,000-58,000 on March 1 to over Rs 1 lakh on May 1.“The prices are rising further. But the bigger challenge is how do we get bitumen to complete our work even at a higher cost. This has been discussed several times with officials and OMCs as well. Looking at the current availability trend, the supply will be much less than the requirement,” said a senior official of a highway construction company.Officials said although the current availability of bitumen with OMCs is very low, efforts are being made to see how to get more supply, including import at a higher price.

film producer Quentin Tarantino You can prepare for your next film with brad pitt With ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’, but according to the latest reports, tensions were high on the sets of his previous film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.veteran actor bruce dern Her eyebrows raised when she recalled an incident on the set in which the director threatened the star that her Hollywood career would be ‘over’. Speaking to PEOPLE at the premiere of the documentary ‘Dernsey’ at the Cannes Film Festival, Dern opened up about the disagreement on the set.Recalling the scene, he described how he improvised a line during the take, which led to an unexpected reaction from Pitt. He said, “When Brad Pitt wakes me up in ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,’ I’m in bed and wake up and I get a little sad and just say, ‘I’m not really sure what’s going on.’ “I am looking at him. [Pitt] Cut off the camera. He cut off the camera. The look on Quentin’s face – I mean, he was dead serious – and he said, ‘Brad, what did you just do?'”Dern revealed that Pitt further explained that the improvised line was not part of the script and so he ‘cut the camera’. However, this provoked an agitated reaction from Tarantino, who warned him, “Never again in your life will you bite a camera or you will die in this business. This is my domain.”According to Dern, Pitt insisted, “Well, what he said wasn’t in the script.”‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ was both a critical and commercial success. The film earned 10 nominations at the Academy Awards and won two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Pitt.According to the latest reports, Pitt will return as stuntman Cliff Booth in the Netflix film to be released in December this year. Directed by Filmmaker david fincherThe film, written by Tarantino, is the sequel to ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and is set in 1977 Hollywood.The film will open in IMAX theaters globally on November 25 for a two-week exclusive run before coming to Netflix on December 23, Netflix said in a statement.

The ranking of the most technologically developed countries in the world is done based on their degree of digitalization, access to the Internet, mobile phone usage, investment in research and development, and the overall technological competitiveness of the state. The top countries to be considered for the year 2026 include those with high levels of technology integration into daily life, business activities and government affairs. Progress in technology cannot be measured solely by the economic size of a country or its international recognition, but by the practical application of the money invested in scientific research.According to the WorldAtlas report, there are distinct groups of tech leaders who are primarily based in East Asia, Europe, and North America.

list of most advanced countries of the world 2026

most advanced countries of the world

south korea

South Korea is the most technologically advanced country in the world due to its high level of digitalization and industrial innovation. Almost all residents have Internet access, and their mobile connections are some of the fastest in the world. The South Korean government devotes 5% of the nation’s GDP to R&D purposes, facilitating continued innovation in many industries. The electronics industry in the country is highly advanced and includes smartphones, displays and consumer electronics.

United States of America

The United States is one of the most innovative countries in the world due to the volume of research expenditure and the presence of a vibrant private sector environment. Every year, the US spends more than $800 billion on R&D, the largest expenditure in absolute figures among all countries in the world. The country excels in AI, software development, cloud computing and semiconductor design.

taiwan

Taiwan plays an important role in global semiconductor supply chains, particularly advanced chip manufacturing. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) makes a significant portion of the world’s most advanced chips used in artificial intelligence systems, smartphones and computing devices. The country invests about 4% of GDP in research and development, supporting a strong industrial and export-driven economy. Electronics manufacturing, chip design and precision engineering are the main areas. Taiwan’s global importance comes from its dominance in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, which supports almost all modern digital technologies around the world.

denmark

Denmark is known for its pioneering efforts in renewable energy technologies and its pharmaceutical industry. Denmark spends approximately 3% of its GDP on research and development activities, which contributes to continued technological progress. Wind energy is one of the areas where Danish companies have excelled in the development of renewable energy infrastructure globally. The Danish pharmaceutical sector has helped Denmark establish its presence globally, particularly in diabetes-related innovations.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s innovation strength can be seen in its performance in the fields of pharmaceutical products, precision engineering and scientific research. Innovation expenditure is estimated to be 3.4 percent of GDP with the support of private sector enterprises and organizations of excellence. Roche and Novartis are top-tier global pharmaceutical companies leading the healthcare innovation movement. The Swiss have an excellent scientific institute like CERN, which is located close to Geneva.

israel

Israel is among the countries that spend more than 6% of its GDP on research and development. Israel is renowned for being a hub of startup innovation, particularly in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, defense, and software solutions. Many multinational technology companies began as Israeli startups. Unit 8200 has been instrumental in preparing the next generation of cyber security experts. There is high venture capital investment in Israeli startups; This ensures the continued emergence and growth of startups in the country.

finland

Finland demonstrates great technological prowess through telecommunications, gaming, and digitalized public institutions. The country devotes approximately 3% of its GDP to research and development, thus ensuring continuous innovation in all sectors. Nokia is still playing a key role in the deployment of 5G networks globally. The gaming industry has made great strides when it comes to digital esports and contributions to innovative technologies. There is massive digitization of services including education and governance systems.

Netherlands

The Netherlands stands as a top producer of semiconductor equipment and digital infrastructure technology. There is only one manufacturer that produces the machines used in the process of manufacturing semiconductors, known as EUV lithography. The country also has a strong Internet technology infrastructure with equally developed logistics technology as well as significant data exchange facilities. Research is directed towards engineering, agricultural technologies and high-tech manufacturing. The Netherlands holds a very important position in global supply chains due to the technologically advanced nature of chip production machinery and logistics systems.

sweden

Sweden has a highly developed digital economy, facilitated through fintech, telecommunications and consumer technology applications. R&D investment accounts for approximately 3.5% of GDP and reflects a high level of national commitment to innovation activities. A well-developed system of digital payments has been established; Sweden is considered to have a cashless economy. Thus, there is a balance between technologies and traditional industries in the country.

norway

Norway focuses its technological development on renewable energy, marine systems and environmental innovation. Almost all electricity production comes from hydropower and renewable sources, making it one of the most sustainable energy systems globally. Supported by strong government policy and infrastructure, electric vehicle adoption is the highest in the world. R&D spending is about 2% of GDP, lower than some peers but supported by high digital adoption in public services.

Image Credit: PTI&X/@CJP_2029

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor The satirical Cockroach came out in support of the Janata Party (CJP), questioning the blocking of its X account and calling it “disastrous and extremely senseless”.“I’m incredibly intrigued by the rise of #CockroachJantaParty, which has garnered 15 million (now over 19 million) followers on Instagram in just five days,” Tharoor posted on Instagram.

CJP’s X account, which had over two lakh followers, was blocked in India following a legal demand on Wednesday. Founder Abhijeet Dubke confirmed the suspension, writing, “As expected the Cockroach Janata Party account has been blocked in India.” Within hours, the group launched a new account titled “Cockroach is back”, posting: “Did you think you could get rid of us? Hahahaha.”Tharoor said he understands the frustrations of the youth and sees why they are resonating with the satire movement.“This is why blocking the account on He has written.“Democracy needs outlets for dissent, humor, sarcasm and even frustration,” he said.While Tharoor said he is unsure about the future of the movement, he hopes the youth behind it will find a way to channel their energy into mainstream politics.“This is an opportunity which the opposition should take advantage of,” the Congress MP wrote. He suggested that political parties pay attention to the viral trend and work on bringing the youth to their side.Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda also called blocking of CJP’s X account a “cockroach ban” and said it was “completely inappropriate in a democracy.” He said the movement reflects deep-seated anger among the youth against the “flawed system” created by the BJP.The CJP emerged following Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s controversial remarks during a court hearing earlier this month, in which he reportedly compared some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”. The CJI later issued a clarification, saying that his comments were aimed at people using “bogus and bogus degrees” and that reports claiming that he insulted the youth of India were “completely baseless”.But by then, the Cockroach Janata Party had turned the controversy into an internet movement, garnering more than 19.5 million followers on Instagram.The satirical organization describes itself as “a political party for the lazy, unemployed and chronically correct people”, headquartered “wherever WiFi works.” Its manifesto includes demands like ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 20-year election ban for MLAs and MPs who switch parties and 50 percent reservation for women in Parliament.

RCB’s Virat Kohli (Image: X)

Royal Challengers Bangalore legend Virat Kohli is chasing another big feat in IPL 2026 as RCB is set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final league-stage match before the playoffs. The star batsman is now on the verge of setting a new benchmark, leaving behind the historical records of Chris Gayle, David Warner and KL Rahul.Sunrisers Hyderabad will host table-toppers Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 67th match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium tonight, with a direct ticket to the top-two at stake. Both teams have already qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs, but this contest is very important as the winner strengthens their chances of securing a valuable double-chance advantage in the playoffs with Gujarat Titans. Both the teams have faced each other 27 times in IPL history, with SRH holding a slight lead with 14 wins compared to RCB’s 12 wins. Earlier this season, RCB defeated Pat Cummins-less SRH by six wickets in the tournament opener on March 28, comfortably chasing 201 with 26 balls remaining.Kohli is currently placed sixth in the IPL 2026 Orange Cap standings with 542 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 54.20 and a strike rate of 164.74. This is his fourth consecutive IPL season with more than 500 runs and ninth overall in his IPL career.Now, the RCB icon is just 58 runs away from creating history. Kohli is currently tied with Chris Gayle, David Warner and KL Rahul for most consecutive IPL seasons with over 600 runs. Gayle achieved the feat in 2011, 2012 and 2013, David Warner achieved it in 2016,2017 and 2019 (he was unavailable in 2018) and KL Rahul scored in 2020, 2021 and 2022, while Kohli scored 600 in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Equaled the record with more campaigns.If Kohli scores 58 or more runs against SRH, he will become the first batsman in IPL history to score more than 600 runs in four consecutive seasons.

Scores of over 600 in consecutive IPL editions:

Even though Virat failed to score 58 against SRH, he has an opportunity to set a new benchmark and record in his account in the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad started IPL 2026 with different pressures, but both now find themselves where they expected before the ball was bowled. In the playoffs, the momentum, the belief and the feeling that this could still be their season.

When RCB entered the tournament as defending champions, the scrutiny was inevitable. Winning a title changes everything around a franchise. Each performance is judged differently, with each flaw analyzed more closely. The challenge was no longer to become champion. It was about proving that the previous season wasn’t a fluke.

For SRH, the pressure came from the other direction. Over the past few years, Hyderabad had built one of the most explosive teams in the league, yet they often struggled to maintain momentum when it mattered most. Along with the waves of disappointment, a glimpse of dominance was also visible. This season came with the realization that the team finally needed to turn promise into possession.

The two sides will face each other in their final league-stage match on Friday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. What once promised to be an exciting finish in the race for the top two has now largely become a formality, as SRH have little chance of reaching those places due to the huge difference in net run rates.

After this the situation changed Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs A day earlier at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. So, what’s left to play for?

RCB has a strong hold on top 2

RCB currently top the table with 18 points and the best net run rate in the competition. Another win will ensure first place and give them two chances to reach the final, an advantage every team wants at this stage of the tournament.

The strongest feature of Bengaluru’s campaign has been the composure with which they have handled the pressure. There have been very few days off, no long recessions and hardly any panic during difficult moments. Rajat Patidar has captained with calm assurance, creating an environment where experienced names and young players have flourished together.

Virat Kohli has been at the center of all this. Now it is almost expected that Kohli will play another big innings. IPL season, but the familiarity shouldn’t take away from the level it continues to maintain. His 542 runs have once again given RCB a strong base, whether chasing fast runs or on slow surfaces where patience matters as much as aggression.

Devdutt Padikkal has looked much more settled this season and has complemented Kohli beautifully at the top. Patidar has brought stability in the middle overs, while Tim David and Romario Shepherd have provided the late pace that makes RCB dangerous till the last ball.

However, their bowling attack has arguably shaped their season even more.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has put the years behind him with one of his finest IPL campaigns. Movement with the new ball remains dangerous, but his control and understanding of the conditions is what is most important. His 24 wickets in 13 matches have regularly provided early momentum to RCB. The presence of Josh Hazlewood has added discipline and experience, Krunal Pandya has quietly delivered an excellent all-round season, while Suyyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam have stepped up when needed.

SRH Top-2 Qualification Scenario

While it may be almost impossible to make the top-two, SRH is still alive mathematically. In the highly unlikely scenario that they beat RCB by more than 87 runs, or chase down the target of 180 runs within 11 overs, SRH can reverse RCB’s net run rate and finish second behind Gujarat Titans.

Hyderabad is one of the few teams that is capable of destabilizing even the most balanced bowling attacks once their batting finds its rhythm, and that should still give SRH fans some hope.

There is a fearlessness in SRH’s approach that can completely change the direction of a match in a few overs. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan attacked continuously from the beginning and did not give any breathing room to the bowlers during the powerplay. Travis Head hasn’t shown the same consistency as last season, but every opponent knows how quickly he can take games away once he performs well.

Next is Heinrich Klaasen, who has once again become the backbone of Hyderabad’s batting. His 555 runs have often come in situations where SRH needed someone to absorb the pressure before counterattacking. Once Klaasen settles on the crease, few batsmen in world cricket are so devastating against both spin and pace.

What has hurt SRH at times is their inability to maintain that intensity consistently. During their five-match winning streak, they looked unstoppable. But there have also been games where the batting lost direction under pressure and left the team chasing the contest. These inconsistencies are the biggest concern heading into the knockouts.

Still, there is a lot to be confident about in this team.

The return of Pat Cummins midway through the season brought new clarity to the team. Beyond his wickets or tactical decisions, Cummins possesses a calm presence that naturally keeps the dressing room stable during tense moments. Around him, SRH’s bowling unit has continued to strengthen.

Young Sri Lankan fast bowler Ishan Malinga has emerged as one of the discoveries of IPL 2026. His 17 wickets have come from a mix of pace, control and an impressive understanding of match situations. Saqib Hussain and Prafulla Hinge have provided valuable support, giving Hyderabad a far stronger fast bowling unit than earlier in the season.

SRH vs RCB: Battle of the powerplay

Few contests can shape the game more than the battle between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Abhishek Sharma with the new ball. For over a decade, Bhuvneshwar was one of SRH’s most reliable match-winners, and now he returns to Hyderabad in RCB colours. Leading in the race for Purple Cap with 24 wickets.

Awaiting them will be Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless hitting has powered SRH throughout the season. The opener has crossed the 500-run mark at a strike rate of 200 and has often snatched games inside the powerplay. If Bhuvneshwar can attack early, RCB will regain control. If Abhishek survives, Hyderabad can once again make a comeback.

SRH vs RCB: Head to Head

RCB and SRH started IPL 2026 against each other in Bengaluru, where Hyderabad took an early lead while chasing 202 runs. Their rivalry has often produced close, high-scoring contests, with SRH holding a slight edge on the aggregate.

Hyderabad leads 14-12 in head-to-head battles in 26 matches and have been particularly strong on home soil, winning six out of nine games against RCB in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad weather and pitch conditions

Pitch number 2 will be used for Friday’s encounter in Hyderabad, and history suggests another run-fest could be on the cards. Traditionally one of the best batting surfaces at the venue, this pitch has already produced big scores in IPL 2026. SRH scored 242 runs for 2 wickets against Delhi Capitals and followed it up with 234 runs for 4 wickets against Punjab Kings on the same strip, winning both the matches comfortably after electing to bat first.

With a plethora of power-hitters in both line-ups, another high-scoring contest looks likely. The weather is also expected to be clear, the temperature will be around 30 degrees Celsius and there is no forecast of rain.

SRH vs RCB: Team News

RCB got a timely lead before the match Captain Rajat Patidar is ready to make a comeback after missing the last match against Punjab Kings due to injury.. Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed that the captain is fully fit again.

“Silver is good to go. We were cautious and didn’t take any risks with him. We thought we’d give him a little more time to recover and rest, but he’s here, he’s practicing and he’s good to go,” Bobat said.

SRH vs RCB: Predicted Playing XI

RCB’s probable XI: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salaam, Josh Hazlewood.

Meanwhile, SRH are expected to stick with the same combination after consecutive wins. All the players are fit and the management is unlikely to make any changes ahead of such an important match. Travis Head and Saqib Hussain remain potentially impactful player options.

SRH’s predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, R Smrana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (c), Shivang Kumar, Ishan Malinga, Saqib Hussain.

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