Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview & Tips - Kohli and RCB to secure opening-day IPL win

By Site Editor

24 Mar 2026

Site Editor 24 Mar 2026

Share this article

RCB are the reigning champions in the IPL
Virat Kohli scored 657 runs in the 2025 IPL (54.75 average)
Preview, stats & head to head

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli (Getty Images)

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Royal Challengers Bangalore Form
Sunrisers Hyderabad Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview & Tips

Royal Challengers Bangalore return to the cricket field looking to build on their stunning grand final win in the 2025 Indian Premier League.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are looking to better a disappointing sixth placed finish in last season's IPL.

RCB have won seven of their last eight T20's (L1)
Virat Kohli averaged 54.75 in the IPL in 2025

Head To Head

RCB have won four of their last 10 against SRH, with the latter winning the other six meetings.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore defied finishing second in the regular season to secure the trophy in 2025 as they beat table toppers Punjab Kings twice in a matter of days.

The regular season ended with nine wins and four defeats in 14 outings, with RCB denied top spot by a slightly inferior net run rate to PBKS. Despite this, they stormed to an eight-wicket win in their meeting in the Qualifier before then beating their opponents by six runs in the grand final.

Virat Kohli was vital in the final in 2025, notching a match-winning 43. This helped RCB's talisman to move onto 657 runs for the tournament at an average of 54.75. Returning to the competition, I predict that Kohli will star with the bat once again as he leads RCB to a win in their opening match.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Form

Sunrisers Hyderabad impressed in the final week of the regular season in 2025, but it was too little too late as they missed out on a top-four spot by three points.

Wins over Lucknow Super Giants (by six wickets), RCB (by 42 runs) and Kolkata Knight Riders (by 110 runs) saw SRH win their final three matches. While they were better than a number of sides last season, they were not on the same level as the teams above them.

This season, SRH need to improve on their ability to win consistently. Winning their final three matches is futile if they are to lose the majority of their opening games. While I predict that SRH will give RCB a good test in their opener, I do not back them to defeat their hosts in game one.

Verdict

RCB v SRH

I am backing Kohli to hit the ground running with the bat as RCB get their title defence of to a winning start.

RCB

Match Winner

@-138.89 - 1 Unit

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Kohli Over 30.5 Runs

Batter Match Runs

@-120.48 - 1 Unit

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com