The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season kicked off with a high-octane clash as the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), took on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28. While the atmosphere was electric with the ‘home team celebrating their status as reigning kings, a somber undertone touched the opening proceedings. As Rajat Patidar led his side onto the field after winning the toss and electing to bowl, fans quickly noticed the RCB players sporting black armbands, a poignant gesture that transcended the boundaries of the sport.
Why RCB players are wearing black armbands against Sunrisers Hyderabad?
The reason behind the black armbands is deeply emotional and serves as a tribute to the tragic events of June 4, 2025. Following RCB’s historic maiden IPL title win last year, the city of Bengaluru erupted in unprecedented celebrations. Unfortunately, the sheer magnitude of the crowds led to a fatal stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming the lives of 11 devoted fans.
To honor these individuals, the RCB management and players decided to make their 2026 season opener a day of remembrance. Earlier in the day, the team performed their pre-match warm-ups wearing jerseys emblazoned with the number 11. During the match itself, the black armbands served as a visible mark of respect. Furthermore, the franchise has made a permanent gesture by leaving 11 seats vacant in the stadium, ensuring that those fans remain a symbolic part of the RCB family forever. Captain Patidar noted at the toss that while they are eyeing a second star on their jersey, they carry the memory of their supporters in their hearts.
Starting XIs and tactical shifts from both sides in the season opener
The 2026 opener also marked a new era of leadership for both franchises. With Pat Cummins sidelined due to a lumbar bone stress injury, Ishan Kishan stepped up as the interim captain for SRH, fresh off a stellar T20 World Cup campaign. For RCB, Patidar officially began his full-time captaincy stint, looking to replicate the magic of 2025.
The match highlights a significant homecoming for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Philip Salt in RCB colors, while SRH showed faith in young talent like Salil Arora, whom Kishan described as one to watch. Despite the missing frontline pacers like Josh Hazlewood (RCB) and Cummins (SRH), the clash remains a heavyweight battle on a fresh Chinnaswamy track.
Playing XIs of both teams
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk/c), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga.
