RCB vs SRH Match Prediction: Who will win today’s IPL 2026 match?

The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will kick off with a rematch of the summit clash from a decade ago. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) are two teams with a rich history, and their clash in the opening encounter of the new season will certainly be one to watch out for.

RCB, who had their hearts broken on that fateful day in 2016, have come a long way. Fresh off their first-ever title, Rajat Patidar and his men will be keen on mounting a title defense, something which has become near-impossible in the modern era.

SRH, on the other hand, arrive in IPL 2026 on the back of solid reinforcements at the auction. With a power-packed batting unit and talented uncapped youngsters in the ranks, the Orange Army will back themselves to overcome the disappointment of the previous campaign.

Both teams won’t be at full strength. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins won’t feature, while there are also question marks over Tim David.

RCB’s squad for IPL 2026: Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Vihaan Malhotra (INR 30 lakh), Jordan Cox (INR 75 lakh), Venkatesh Iyer (INR 7 Cr), Satvik Deswal (INR 30 lakh), Mangesh Yadav (INR 5.20 Cr), Vicky Ostwal (INR 30 lakh), Kanishk Chouhan (INR 30 lakh), Jacob Duffy (INR 2 Cr).

SRH’s squad for IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins, Smaran R, Travis Head, Zeeshan Ansari, Salil Arora (INR 1.50 Cr), Shivang Kumar (INR 30 lakh), Liam Livingstone (INR 13 Cr), Jack Edwards (INR 3 Cr), Amit Kumar (INR 30 lakh), Krains Fuletra (INR 30 lakh), Sakib Hussain (INR 30 lakh), Onkar Tarmale (INR 30 lakh), Praful Hinge (INR 30 lakh), Shivam Mavi (INR 75 lakh).

---

IPL 2026: Can the defending champions make a winning start to their campaign?

Without Hazlewood, it might be difficult for RCB to contain SRH’s power-packed unit. The Hyderabad top four is as destructive as possible, with head coach Daniel Vettori announcing that Heinrich Klaasen will bat at No. 4, ahead of the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Aniket Verma.

Jacob Duffy was carted for a few runs in the lead-up to and during the T20 World Cup, while Mangesh Yadav is a relatively untried prospect. Bengaluru might also be without Tim David, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the Big Bash League.

SRH have a few concerns of their own. Their bowling unit doesn’t inspire any confidence, and although they have experience, their pace attack seems deficient in multiple areas. Hyderabad will need their youngsters to step up if they are to have a good start to their season.

It’s hard to predict a winner of any game at the start of the season, but Hazlewood’s absence could tilt the scales in SRH’s favor.

Prediction: SRH to win Match 1 of IPL 2026.