Bengaluru, March 28 – The opening match of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium saw fans returning with excitement and relief, praising the improved arrangements while enjoying the electric atmosphere.
Supporters from around the world, including India, Ireland, and the United States, gathered to cheer, hoping for a successful start to the season and confident of a smooth and enjoyable matchday experience.
Saturday's game also marked the return of competitive cricket to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium since May 17, 2025, especially after a stampede during RCB's celebrations on June 4, which resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives.
A young Bengaluru cricket fan shared his feelings: "Better start, condolences to the family, but some precautions have been taken. It seems from last year that the management has implemented certain measures, and the arrangements are proper."
Earlier, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gave debuts to pacers Abhinandan Singh and Jacob Duffy as captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first.
Another fan said, "I feel so excited because this is my second time. Last time, due to rain, it was canceled, so I cried a lot. It's always been an energetic atmosphere here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, so we are excited. The government has made good arrangements after the tragic incident last year. Thanks to the police of Karnataka and the Bengaluru police. We are having no problem entering the stadium and the arrangements are quite good. We are here to support RCB and we will win today."
Extensive changes have been made at the stadium, and RCB players will take the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives last season, and they will also be wearing jerseys with the number '11'.
A cricket fan from Dublin, Ireland, said, "Really, really excited for the match, it's going to be a great game between RCB and SRH, and it will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. We are here to support RCB because of Jacob Bethell, a talented young British player. Last year, we had a very good season, and this year we are very excited because the team is very good, and we hope we can repeat what we did last year."
Another fan from Los Angeles said, "Very excited, it's a big game between two big teams. I am a big supporter of Chennai Super Kings, and I hope they have a good season. But all the other teams are also very strong, so I hope for a great game."
Supporters from around the world, including India, Ireland, and the United States, gathered to cheer, hoping for a successful start to the season and confident of a smooth and enjoyable matchday experience.
Saturday's game also marked the return of competitive cricket to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium since May 17, 2025, especially after a stampede during RCB's celebrations on June 4, which resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives.
A young Bengaluru cricket fan shared his feelings: "Better start, condolences to the family, but some precautions have been taken. It seems from last year that the management has implemented certain measures, and the arrangements are proper."
Earlier, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gave debuts to pacers Abhinandan Singh and Jacob Duffy as captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first.
Another fan said, "I feel so excited because this is my second time. Last time, due to rain, it was canceled, so I cried a lot. It's always been an energetic atmosphere here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, so we are excited. The government has made good arrangements after the tragic incident last year. Thanks to the police of Karnataka and the Bengaluru police. We are having no problem entering the stadium and the arrangements are quite good. We are here to support RCB and we will win today."
Extensive changes have been made at the stadium, and RCB players will take the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives last season, and they will also be wearing jerseys with the number '11'.
A cricket fan from Dublin, Ireland, said, "Really, really excited for the match, it's going to be a great game between RCB and SRH, and it will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. We are here to support RCB because of Jacob Bethell, a talented young British player. Last year, we had a very good season, and this year we are very excited because the team is very good, and we hope we can repeat what we did last year."
Another fan from Los Angeles said, "Very excited, it's a big game between two big teams. I am a big supporter of Chennai Super Kings, and I hope they have a good season. But all the other teams are also very strong, so I hope for a great game."