Ashwin’s ‘strange feeling’ on under-fire SRH star to have a ‘night to remember’ in IPL 2026 opener vs RCB

Ashwin has backed SRH star to deliver in the IPL 2026 opener, even though the Proteas batter hasn’t been at his best of late.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2026, 17:43:58 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a bold take on the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. With short boundaries and a batting-friendly surface on offer, a run-heavy contest is on the cards, especially with both sides missing key pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. SRH, meanwhile, boast a formidable batting unit, with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan leading the charge at the top. The middle order is equally strong, featuring Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone and Nitish Kumar Reddy, making them a serious threat.

Ashwin predicted SRH to beat RCB in the IPL 2026 opener. (PTI)

Meanwhile, Ashwin has backed Klaasen to deliver in the IPL 2026 opener, even though the Proteas batter hasn’t been at his best of late. Since stepping away from international cricket, Klaasen’s returns in T20 leagues have been patchy. Once known for dominating attacks around the world, he has found it difficult to maintain that level. Following the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where his fighting half-century wasn’t enough, Klaasen has played 65 matches, scoring 1,440 runs in 59 innings. He averages 28.80 with a strike rate of 148.76, including one hundred and seven fifties, reflecting a dip from his earlier consistency.

"I have a strange feeling for this match. In the last 18 months, this guy has not done much wonders. A strange feeling that Heinrich Klaasen is going to have a night to remember, I don't know why. From RCB's side, I think Jacob Bethell will be the power player of the day," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“RCB are without Hazlewood”

Ashwin pointed out that RSH have had the upper hand over RCB in their last two meetings, piling up huge scores each time. In the 2025 clash in Lucknow, SRH racked up 231, powered by Ishan Kishan’s impressive 94, while they had earlier hammered 287 in Bengaluru during the 2024 season. They went on to win those games by 42 and 25 runs respectively. Ashwin believes that pattern could repeat itself, especially with RCB set to miss Josh Hazlewood this time around.

"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. In that game in Lucknow last year, as well, Hazlewood was not there, if I am not wrong," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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