Match 41Balanced Pitch
SRHSunrisers Hyderabad
VS
RCBRoyal Challengers Bengaluru
Saturday, 18 April 2026 02:00 pm IST Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Captain (2x)
Heinrich Klaasen
Score: 89.9Form: 86/100Credits: 10
In red-hot formVery consistent scorerHigh ceiling (88 pts recent best)WK bonus (catch/stumping pts)
Vice-Captain (1.5x)
Travis Head
Score: 88.4Form: 88/100Credits: 10
In red-hot formVery consistent scorerHigh ceiling (90 pts recent best)
Top 5 Must-Pick Players
CWK-Batter
Heinrich Klaasen
SRH · 10 Cr
Score89.9
Avg (L5)72 pts
7588488268
VCBatter
Travis Head
SRH · 10 Cr
Score88.4
Avg (L5)75 pts
8275559072
3Batter
Virat Kohli
RCB · 10.5 Cr
Score86.2
Avg (L5)72 pts
7588429562
4Bowler
Josh Hazlewood
RCB · 9 Cr
Score84.7
Avg (L5)60 pts
6255724865
5Bowler
Pat Cummins
SRH · 9.5 Cr
Score84
Avg (L5)61 pts
6255724868
Full Player Rankings
| # | Player | Team | Role | Credits | Form | Venue | Pitch | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Heinrich Klaasen | | WK-Batter | 10 | 86 | 15 | 16.5 | 89.9 |
| VC | Travis Head | | Batter | 10 | 88 | 15 | 16.5 | 88.4 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | | Batter | 10.5 | 85 | 15 | 16.5 | 86.2 |
| 4 | Josh Hazlewood | | Bowler | 9 | 78 | 15 | 18 | 84.7 |
| 5 | Pat Cummins | | Bowler | 9.5 | 80 | 15 | 16.5 | 84 |
| 6 | Abhishek Sharma | | All-rounder | 8.5 | 70 | 15 | 16.5 | 83.9 |
| 7 | Mohammed Siraj | | Bowler | 9 | 72 | 15 | 16.5 | 80 |
| 8 | Glenn Maxwell | | All-rounder | 9 | 62 | 15 | 16.5 | 79.8 |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | | Bowler | 8.5 | 68 | 15 | 16.5 | 78.6 |
| 10 | Faf du Plessis | | Batter | 9 | 68 | 15 | 16.5 | 78.3 |
Pitch Report — RGICS
Balanced PitchAvg 1st Innings: 170-180
Hyderabad offers a balanced surface. Pace bowlers get assistance early, while the ball comes onto the bat well in the middle overs. Moderate dew under lights.
Toss Advice
Chase under lights. Moderate dew gives a slight advantage to the chasing team.
Head-to-Head Record
14
SRH wins
in 22 matches
8
RCB wins
Last 5 results:
SRHRCBRCBSRHRCB
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been dominant against Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 14 wins in 22 matches. The Southern Derby between Hyderabad and Bengaluru is one of the most intense regional rivalries in the IPL.
SRH vs RCB — Match Preview
The return fixture of the season opener as SRH host RCB in Hyderabad. Head vs Hazlewood is an Australian teammate rivalry that adds spice. Klaasen's death-over hitting at his home ground could be decisive. Kohli's determination to crack the IPL trophy code keeps RCB in every contest.
Why Watch This Match
- Reverse fixture of the IPL 2026 opener
- Head vs Hazlewood — Australian teammates turned IPL rivals
- Klaasen at home — the most destructive finisher in the IPL
- Kohli's IPL title chase continues