NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 is just moments away, with the opening match set to be played between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB will be led by Rajat Patidar, while Ishan Kishan will captain SRH.RCB will also wear black armbands during their match against SRH to pay tribute to fans who tragically lost their lives in the stampede outside the venue following the team’s historic title win last year.
A statement from RCB said, “Royal Challengers Bengaluru will pay tribute to the eleven members of the RCB family who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident on June 4.”“As a mark of respect, players will wear practice jerseys bearing the number 11 during the warm-up, followed by black armbands during the match.”“In a lasting gesture of remembrance, eleven seats at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain unoccupied, serving as a permanent tribute to the fans whose unwavering support will always be a part of the RCB family,” the statement concluded.Eleven people died and several were injured in the stampede outside the stadium during the victory celebrations last year.‘Kohli incredibly hungry’Virat Kohli is hungry and at the “peak of his powers”, with his IPL team RCB set to begin their title defence, coach Andy Flower said.Former captain Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20 internationals, now represents India only in the 50-over format.“Virat is in a really good space mentally,” Flower told reporters.“He’s very comfortable with himself but still incredibly hungry, and watching him strike the ball in training, he looks at the peak of his powers.”
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“It was very satisfying professionally for everyone, of course, but a really emotional time for all sorts of reasons at the end of last season,” Flower told reporters.“It’s another time, so it’s time to move on from that.”
