Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori revealed that all-rounder Brydon Carse missed the IPL 2026 opener due to an unfortunate injury sustained during a nets session. The English pacer was struck on his bowling hand while batting, ruling him out of the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Speaking after the match, Daniel Vettori explained the situation in detail. “He got hit on the hand in the nets when he was batting, on his bowling hand. It’s cleared of any break, but there is quite a lot of swelling,” he said.
Despite attempting to recover in time, Carse was unable to take the field. “He tried to push for the game, but it was difficult for him to hold the ball,” Daniel Vettori added, expressing hope that the all-rounder could return for SRH’s next fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2.
ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin Highlights Virat Kohli’s Energy Levels in RCB’s Dominant IPL 2026 Win
On the field, however, it was a tough outing for Hyderabad. Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli powered Bengaluru to a dominant six-wicket win with a clinical chase of 202. The duo stitched together a match-winning 101-run stand for the second wicket in just 45 balls, effectively taking the game away from SRH.
Padikkal was at his fluent best, smashing 61 off just 26 deliveries with a blend of elegance and aggression. Kohli, meanwhile, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69, showcasing his trademark composure and precision. The Hyderabad bowling unit struggled to contain the onslaught. The quartet of David Payne, Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, and Harshal Patel leaked 144 runs in just 11 overs, leaving little room for recovery.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli’s Bold Claim on Burnout and Team Cause After Match-Winning IPL 2026 Knock
Padikkal’s strokeplay stood out, particularly his aggressive assault on Payne and Dubey, as he raced to a 21-ball half-century. His wristy elegance complemented Kohli’s classical approach, making it a near-perfect batting display.
RCB eventually finished at 203/4 in under 16 overs, launching their title defence in emphatic fashion while SRH were left searching for answers ahead of their next game.
