Bengaluru, 29 March (H.S.):

Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off the 19th Indian Premier League season with a bang Saturday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, chasing down Sunrisers Hyderabad's 202 in just 15.4 overs for a commanding six-wicket win to thrill the home crowd.

Defending champions RCB romped home at 203 for 4, powered by explosive half-centuries from Devdutt Padikkal (61 off 26 balls) and Virat Kohli (69 not out off 38), their 101-run stand off 45 balls turning the chase into a procession.

SRH Stumble Early

Sent in after losing the toss, Hyderabad slumped to 29 for 3 before stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan unleashed 80 off 38 balls (8 fours, 5 sixes) in a captain's knock, backed by Heinrich Klaasen (31) and Aniket Verma (43) to post 201 for 9.

Bowling Stars Shine

Jacob Duffy spearheaded RCB's attack with 3 for 22 in four overs, matched by Romario Shepherd's 3 wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, and Abhinandan Singh chipped in with one apiece to keep the pressure on.

Current title holders RCB sent a statement in their opener, while SRH rued a bowling meltdown despite a fighting total.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar