Sri Lankan Pacer Replaces Pat Cummins- SRH Predicted Playing XI Vs RCB, IPL 2026, Match 1

SRH predicted XI Vs RCB [Source: AFP]

The wait is over as the IPL 2026 season kicks off with a riveting battle between the defending champions, RCB and SRH at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Both teams are missing their key players, with RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood unavailable, and SRH skipper Pat Cummins also out of the contest.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to have a flat deck, and with both sides boasting strong batting lineups, expect plenty of runs to be scored on Saturday evening, with both set of batters dominating.

RCB Vs SRH Preview

RCB and SRH rivalry has always been a fierce one, with the teams having some memorable battles against each other. Their rivalry dates back to the 2016 IPL final, when the Orange Army defeated Virat Kohli’s men to win the IPL championship.

In recent years, the contest between the two sides has been high-scoring, and we anticipate a similar pattern will be followed. While both RCB and SRH have a strong batting lineup, the same cannot be said about their bowling department.

RCB will miss Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara, while SRH will be without their captain, Cummins.

SRH Likely playing XI Vs RCB- Match 1

Openers and top order: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan

There is no doubt that SRH has the best top three in the IPL, with three dangerous southpaws dominating the proceedings. In Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, SRH has the most destructive opening pair, and the duo have consistently performed for the last two seasons.

The duo has already shattered multiple IPL records in the last two years, and the RCB bowlers have a tough task ahead of them on Saturday. At number 3, the Orange Army has the man in form, Ishan Kishan.

The left-handed pocket dynamo was India’s best batter, alongside Sanju Samson, in the T20 World Cup, and he will bat at his favourite position.

Middle order and all-rounders: Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma

SRH’s star boy, Nitish Reddy, will bat at 4, and he can also bowl a couple of overs for the Orange Army. Last season, Nitish looked out of touch, but the batter has been backed by Cummins and the SRH management, and he’ll certainly play at number 4.

At number 5, the South African explosive batter, Heinrich Klaasen, is going to be used. Interestingly, Klaasen can be used as a floater, depending on the situation. If the team loses early wickets, Nitish will bat at 4, and if the openers have given an aggressive start, don’t be surprised if the right-handed player gets promoted.

SRH has been a batting-heavy team, and the former IPL champions are likely to use English batter Liam Livingstone and India’s Aniket Verma as finishers. Livingstone, after a poor IPL 2025 season has a point to prove, and he’ll be supported by last season’s find, Aniket.

Also Read: SRH's Record At Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Before IPL 2026

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga

Former RCB star, Harshal Patel will play at 8, as the seam bowler knows Chinnaswamy at the back of his hands, and will use his slower balls to deceive the RCB batters.

The spin bowling department will be taken care by Zeeshan Ansari, and he’ll be accompanied by Livingstone, who can also chip in with the ball.

Sri Lankan pacer, Eshan Malinga will replace Pat Cummins in the playing XI, and the pacer will have the responsibility to take wickets in the death overs. Alongside him, the leader of the pace attack would be India’s Jaydev Unadkat.

SRH Predicted XI Vs RCB- Match 1, IPL 2026- Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(C), Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga

RCB vs SRH Impact Player Options

SRH impact player options- Salil Arora, Kamindu Mendis, Brydon Carse, Harsh Dubey