Having retired from T20 internationals, the knock was Virat Kohli's first since a 50-over hundred against New Zealand on 18 January.

Indian Premier League, Bengaluru
Sunrisers Hyderabad 201-9 (20 overs): Kishan 80 (38); Duffy 3-22
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203-4 (15.4 overs): Kohli 69* (38), Padikkal 61 (26)
RCB won by six wickets

Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 69 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru began the defence of their Indian Premier League title by cruising past Sunrisers Hyderabad.

India great Kohli, 37, batting for the first time since January, played the anchor role perfectly as RCB chased down 202 in just 15.4 overs in the tournament's season opener.

Devdutt Padikkal added 61 from 26 balls and RCB captain Rajat Patidar 31 from 12, although England opener Phil Salt sliced a catch to cover for eight.

Salt, who comes into the IPL after a quiet T20 World Cup, did take a sensational diving catch on the deep cover boundary in Sunrisers' 201-9.

Salt's one-handed effort dismissed India's Ishan Kishan on 80 from 38 balls in the 16th over, after which Sunrisers were unable to kick on further on a flat pitch perfect for batting.

New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy, playing in the place of injured Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood, was impressive for his 3-22.

Gloucestershire and England left-armer David Payne also took 2-35 on his IPL debut - he was signed as a late injury replacement at Sunrisers - but his side were unable to stop RCB's rampant chase.

It was the quickest successful pursuit of a score in excess of 200 in the IPL while Kohli now has 21 scores of 50-plus in successful chases - another record in the competition.

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians host Kolkata Knight Riders in the second match of the competition on Sunday.

Watch Strategic Timeout - the BBC's new IPL iPlayer show A look ahead to the IPL 2026 with Faraaz Noor and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala.

Twelve England players are set to feature in the latest edition of the IPL.

Former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler will hope to find form after a disappointing World Cup as he returns to Gujarat Titans, where he is joined by batter Tom Banton and left-arm seamer Luke Wood.

Salt is joined by Jacob Bethell at RCB, alongside a new addition in middle-order batter Jordan Cox, though neither Bethell nor Cox played against Sunrisers.

Seamer Jofra Archer is back at Rajasthan Royals, while all-rounder Jamie Overton returns to Chennai Super Kings.

All-rounder Will Jacks will look to build on a promising winter at Mumbai Indians, while Liam Livingstone and Brydon Carse are at Sunrisers with Payne. Neither played in the opening match.

Batter Ben Duckett had been signed by Delhi Capitals but has pulled out to play in the County Championship as he looks to ensure he keeps his place in the Test team after a lean Ashes, while all-rounder Sam Curran has been ruled out of playing for Rajasthan Royals with an injury.

Quiz: Name top 20 run-scorers in IPL history.

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