International Sports
Kohli shines as RCB open IPL title defence with dominant win
Playing his first match since January, Kohli anchored the chase with a composed 69 not out off 38 balls, guiding Bengaluru to 203-4 in just 15.4 overs in pursuit of a daunting 202-run target.
Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their Indian Premier League title defence with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Playing his first match since January, Kohli anchored the chase with a composed 69 not out off 38 balls, guiding Bengaluru to 203-4 in just 15.4 overs in pursuit of a daunting 202-run target.
He was well supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who blasted 61 from 26 deliveries, and captain Rajat Patidar, who added a quickfire 31 off 12 balls. England’s Phil Salt contributed just eight runs but made a significant impact in the field with a stunning one-handed diving catch.
Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive 201-9, powered by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 80 off 38 balls. However, his dismissal in the 16th over—courtesy of Salt’s brilliance on the boundary—halted their momentum on a batting-friendly surface.
New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy impressed on debut for Bengaluru, returning figures of 3-22, while England left-armer David Payne claimed 2-35 in his first IPL outing for Hyderabad.
Bengaluru’s chase set a new benchmark as the fastest successful pursuit of a 200-plus total in IPL history. Kohli also extended his record for the most 50-plus scores in successful run chases in the tournament.
In other IPL developments, several England players are featuring in this year’s competition. Jos Buttler returns to Gujarat Titans alongside Tom Banton and Luke Wood, while Jofra Archer is back with Rajasthan Royals. Will Jacks joins Mumbai Indians, and Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse are part of the Sunrisers squad.
The IPL continues today, Sunday March 29, with a blockbuster clash as Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be an early-season test for both sides.
Five-time champions Mumbai will look to assert dominance at home, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the charge, while Kolkata will rely on their explosive lineup featuring Andre Russell to make a strong statement.
With both teams aiming to build early momentum in IPL 2026, fans can expect a high-intensity contest packed with big hitting and crucial breakthroughs.
Fans in Afghanistan can catch all the IPL 2026 action live, as Ariana Radio and Television Network holds exclusive broadcast rights across the country.
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