Former CSK star Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sunrisers Hyderabad to dominate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 opener, highlighting RCB’s bowling woes.
RCB and SRH have matched over the past two seasons in the IPL, winning three matches apiece since 2022. Momentum tilts towards the Orange army, who, despite the same winning record, have challenged the Challengers more.
The former CSK star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Sunrisers Hyderabad, under their new skipper Ishan Kishan, has gotten the better of the opponent franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and is expected to continue their trend further on Saturday.
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Ravichandran Ashwin gives SRH the upper hand over RCB in IPL 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin cited the example from recent head-to-head matches, as he could tilt the balance in favour of Sunrisers Hyderabad. This is a strong statement on the opening day of the contest for the defending champions.
“SRH have got the better of RCB in the recent past, and they will follow in this game also. I feel that this game will also follow that trend, for strange reasons that RCB are without Hazlewood,” Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
RCB will kickstart their campaign at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which is the home ground of the Red Devils. Ashwin has never backed away from giving his opinion, and this time it seems true as several batters in that lineup are also not in promising form.
“RCB could have it tough, but RCB will find their rhythm.” – Ravichandran Ashwin
The former CSK star had predicted that when RCB played in Lucknow last year, Josh Hazlewood wasn’t there, and he predicted that the Royal Challengers would go on to find their suitable rhythm.
“In that game in Lucknow last year, as well, Hazlewood wasn’t there, if I am not wrong. For this game, I have a little prediction. RCB could have it tough, but RCB will find their rhythm,” Ashwin said.
“I have a feeling that SRH will once again dominate this game because SRH, in the recent past, have got the better of RCB,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin notices RCB’s bowling woes ahead of IPL 2026
Last time in the IPL, when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru did not have Josh Hazlewood in their bowling attack, it was when Ishan Kishan played an unbeaten knock and took SRH to a massive 231 runs. Lungi Ngidi played at that time and was their most expensive player.
Ravichandran Ashwin identified a key factor as they are undergoing a bowling crisis. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar may depend on uncapped pacers like Magesh Yadav and Rasikh Dar. This is because the likes of Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara are not available for selection.
“Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB don’t have much strength to control in the end. In RCB, we always have to remember that death overs bleed. If wickets are in hand, then it isn’t only difficult to stop runs in the death overs; it’s impossible,” Ashwin said.
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