RCB vs SRH Predicted Playing XI — IPL 2026 Match 1, March 28
With IPL 2026 just hours away, fantasy cricket players and match fans are desperate to know the confirmed and predicted playing XI for RCB vs SRH. Here is the complete breakdown of both teams' expected lineups for Match 1 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted XI
- Virat Kohli (Batsman) — Certain starter. RCB's run machine and most reliable fantasy pick
- Faf du Plessis (Batsman) — Opens or comes in at 3, explosive in powerplay
- Rajat Patidar (Batsman, Captain) — Defending champion skipper, strong at home
- Glenn Maxwell (All-rounder) — Match-winner on his day, dangerous in middle overs
- Cameron Green (All-rounder) — Returns from injury, uncertain of batting position
- Dinesh Karthik (Wicket-keeper) — Death-over specialist, will bat 6-7
- Will Jacks (All-rounder) — Useful spin option plus aggressive batting
- Mohammed Siraj (Bowler) — RCB's strike bowler, key in powerplay
- Yash Dayal (Bowler) — Left-arm pace, excellent in death overs
- Akash Deep (Bowler) — Swing bowler, effective early
- Mayank Dagar (Bowler) — Left-arm spin, likely to bowl middle overs
Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI
- Travis Head (Batsman) — Most destructive powerplay batter in world cricket
- Abhishek Sharma (Batsman) — Explosive opener, dangerous at Chinnaswamy
- Aiden Markram (Batsman) — Anchor of SRH's middle order
- Heinrich Klaasen (Wicket-keeper) — World-class finisher, essential fantasy pick
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (All-rounder) — India's rising star, bat and ball
- Abdul Samad (All-rounder) — Big hitter, comes good in death overs
- Pat Cummins (Bowler, Captain) — Best all-round captain option, takes wickets
- Shahbaz Ahmed (All-rounder) — Useful spin in middle overs
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Bowler) — Swing specialist, powerplay threat
- Mayank Markande (Bowler) — Leg spin, middle-overs wicket-taker
- T. Natarajan (Bowler) — Left-arm pace, death-over expert
Key Selection Battles
The biggest selection uncertainty in RCB is Cameron Green's fitness and batting position. If Green is not fully fit, expect a specialist batter like Mahipal Lomror to come in. In SRH, the debate is whether Aiden Markram or a more aggressive option comes in at number three.
Last-minute Playing XI Updates
Confirmed playing XI for both teams will be announced at the toss, approximately 30 minutes before the 7:30 PM IST start time. For live toss updates and confirmed lineups, check our RCB vs SRH match page which updates automatically.
