RCB 172-all out (19.3 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Champions Sunrisers Hyderabad start off their title defence in convincing fashion as they outclass a depleted Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs.

After being put into bat, Sunrisers posted a massive 207 for four with Yuvraj smashing an entertaining 62 from 27 balls.

Moises Henriques' 52 off 37 balls also went a long way in contributing to Sunrisers' total. The Yuvraj-Henriques pair added 58 runs runs in only 4.5 overs after Shikhar Dhawan (40) was involved in a 74-run stand for the second wicket with the Australian all-rounder.

With the ball, Sunrisers never let RCB off the hook. Debutant Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan made a dream start to his IPL career as he claimed two for 26, while Nehra and Bhuvneshwar also picked up two wickets each.

Gayle was RCB's top scorer with 32 as they struggled to cope with the absence of captain Kohli and AB de Villiers and were bowled out for 172.

RCB 172-all out (19.3 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Mills makes room and slashes Bhuvneshwar over the off-side for a six but perishes off the very next ball. He looks for a big hit down the ground but ends up holing out to Warner at long-on to be dismissed for six.

Superb spell from Bhuvi as he registers good figures of two for 27 in four overs.

Cutting to bowl the final over. Chahal survives a run out chance as the fielder at midwicket misses the direct hit with the batsman way out of his crease.

Debutant Aniket Choudhary swats a short ball from Cutting over fine leg for a six to get off the mark in grand style.

He pulls the next ball to midwicket but non-striker Chahal has already come down halfway as substitute fielder gets the direct hit from midwicket to end the RCB innings.

RCB 156-8 (18 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

The wickets keep tumbling for RCB as this time Watson mistimes a full toss from Nehra and is caught by Henriques on the off-side after scoring 22.

RCB are 156 for seven in 17.3 overs needing another 52 runs from 15 balls for victory.

Nehra makes it worse for RCB as he castles Sreenath Aravind with a superb yorker which crashes into his stumps, which also brings up 100 wickets for the veteran pacer in the IPL.

Chahal manages to avoid the hat-trick as he defends the last two balls of the over.

Two wickets for two runs in the over as Nehra finishes with two for 42 in four overs.

RCB 154-6 (17 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Binny is beaten by the slower ball from Cutting before he smashes the next ball from the pacer over midwicket for a six.

He mishits the next ball which lobs on the off-side but the fielder inside the circle at short thirdman is slow to react.

Cutting overpitches as Watson hammers it through the covers for a four to keep RCB's hopes alive in this run chase.

Death overs specialist Bhuvneshwar comes back into the attack. Binny again miscues one as it goes high on the off-side but wicketkeeper Naman Ojha puts down a simple catch. However, the all-rounder is unable to make most of the lifeline as he lobs another catch which is taken by Yuvraj at short thirdman.

RCB 139-5 (15 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Rashid comes back as he bowls a full toss to Head who despatches it over square leg for a four. However, he perishes off the very next delivery as he holes out to Yuvraj at long-on in his attempt to clear the boundary.

Head perishes for 30 as RCB slip into further trouble with wickets falling regularly.

Binny struggling against Rashid as he fails to pick the googly before he looks to sweep but misses and survives a close shout for LBW.

Watson spoils the over as he carts the last ball over long-on for a six as RCB reach 139 for five in 15 overs, needing another 69 runs for victory in five overs.

An excellent debut by Afghanistan's leg-spinner Rashid as he picks up two for 36 in his four overs.

RCB 118-3 (12 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Pacer Henriques comes into the attack. He starts with a no-ball as he oversteps and Head smashes the free hit delivery back past long-on for a four. Three singles before Jadhav smashes the last ball straight back at the bowler who does well to avoid as it goes for another four.

In the next over, Jadhav goes after Nehra as he swats the veteran over midwicket for a four and then swings the next ball past short fine leg for the same result to get 13 runs from the over.

Just when Jadhav threatens to run away with game, Sunrisers strike against the run of play. The right-hander takes on the arm of Cutting but in vain as the Australian's powerful throw from fine leg strikes the stumps to leave Jadhav short of his crease as he attempts the second run.

Jadhav is run out for a quickfire 31 from 16 balls as RCB are reduced to 116 for three, in the 12th over.

RCB 85-2 (9 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Australian Travis Head drives Rashid through the covers for a four as RCB look to get the momentum back in their innings. He turns the next ball on the leg side for a couple and then picks one.

The last ball is short as Kedar Jadhav pulls it over midwicket for a four to get 13 runs from the over.

Pacer Cutting comes back into the attack as Hooda is taken off despite taking a wicket in his first over.

Jadhav pulls another short ball over midwicket for a six to take RCB to 85 for two in nine overs, needing another 123 runs from 11 overs for victory.

RCB 61-2 (7 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan comes on to bowl on his debut in the IPL as he becomes the first player from the war-torn nation to play in the T20 league.

Mandeep hits the second ball for a four before the leg-spinner gets revenge two balls later as he dismisses the right-hander bowled off an inside edge.

Mandeep has given RCB a good start as he made 24 from 16 balls, putting on 52 runs for the opening wicket with Gayle.

Part-time off-spinner Deepak Hooda comes on from the other end. He gifts Gayle a full toss which he despatches over long-off for a six. Gayle tries another big hit off the next ball but this time he hits straight into the hands of Warner at long-off to perish for 32.

With Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers missing, the RCB's batting line-up has their task cut out. They have made 61 for two in six overs, but still need another 147 runs from 78 balls for victory.

RCB 48-0 (5 ovs) vs Sunrisers 207-4 | Scorecard

Veteran Ashish Nehra to open the bowling for Sunrisers and facing him is the dangerous Chris Gayle with the young Mandeep Singh at the other end.

Gayle steers the first ball to thirdman for one before Mandeep pulls the fourth ball on the leg side for two runs. He then lofts the fifth ball over midwicket before steering the last ball past point to end the over with successive boundaries.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to open the bowling from the other end. He beats Gayle with a full outswinger before he gets one to thirdman off the third ball and Mandeep can't get a run from the next three balls. A superb start from Bhuvi as he concedes just a single against the opposition who are chasing a huge target of 208.

Gayle gets going as he pulls Nehra through fine leg for a four and Mandeep picks the fourth ball over midwicket for the second boundary of the over.

Gayle lofts the last ball high and wide as it sails over the midwicket fence for a six as RCB reach 28 for no loss in three overs.

After a slow start, Gayle looks to break free. In the next over, he crashes Bhuvneshwar over long-on for a six and Mandeep despatches the last ball for a four as 15 runs come from the over.

Ben Cutting comes into the attack in place of Nehra, who was hit for 27 runs in his two overs.

He starts with a short ball which Gayle ducks under before he is foxed by the slower ball and then throws his bat at a wide ball but can't get to it.

Just a wide from the first five balls before Gayle heaves the last ball over midwicket for a four as RCB race to 48 for no loss in five overs.

Sunrisers 207-4 (20 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Yuvraj and Moises hit half-centuries to lift Sunrisers to a huge 207 for four in their 20 overs after they were put into bat in the tournament opener.

Moises made 52 from 37 balls but Yuvraj, who was dropped on 26, stole the show with an entertaining innings of 62 from just 27 balls to give the innings the much-needed impetus in the middle overs.

Earlier, Dhawan had rallied Hyderabad as he hit 40 after captain David Warner perished cheaply for just 14.

Cutting provided the fireworks at the end with a quickfire 16 not out from six balls as champions Sunrisers made most of batting first on a good wicket.

Sunrisers 207-4 (20 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Mills attempts a very slow bouncer as Hooda waits and waits before he pulls it to fine leg for a single.

Yuvraj then goes after the England pacer as he flicks the next ball past short fine leg for a four before he pulls a short ball over midwicket for a six.

Mills bowls a quick delivery right up as Yuvraj plays all over it and is bowled after an entertaining knock of 62 from just 27 balls, having hit three sixes and seven fours.

Captain Watson takes the responsibility upon himself to bowl the final over of the innings. Two singles from the first two balls before Ben Cutting smashes it through the covers for a four and then hits the next ball straight back past the bowler for a couple to long-off for two runs to bring up the 200 for his team.

Watson bowls a slow bouncer which deceives Cutting before he pulls the last ball which is similar over midwicket for a huge six.

Sunrisers 179-3 (178 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Pacer Mills comes back into the attack. Yuvraj looks to cut one which is closer to the stumps as he is beaten. The next ball is short as Yuvraj pulls it through square leg for a four and then drives the slower ball through the covers for one.

Mills bowls the slow bouncer which deceives Hooda all ends up as he looks to duck under before he taps the last ball on the off-side for one.

Choudhary comes back and sees another catch dropped off his bowling. Hooda lofts one over the leg side as Chahal drops a high catch and also ends up flicking it over the ropes at midwicket to give away a six.

Yuvraj smashes a wide delivery past point for a cracking boundary to race to his half-century from just 23 balls, his fastest fifty in IPL.

Hooda top edges the pull shot as it goes over the wicketkeeper for a couple of runs before he takes one.

Sunrisers 155-3 (16 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

A desperate RCB bring back their best bowler Chahal back into the attack. And the young leg-spinner gets the key wicket of Henriques who looks for a big hit down the track but is caught by Sachin Baby at long-off just inches inside the ropes.

Henriques played a good innings of 52 from 37 balls, adding 58 runs from 29 balls for the third wicket with Yuvraj.

Chahal nearly gets the big wicket of Yuvraj with the next ball who gets the leading edge but it falls short of Watson in the covers.

New batsman Deepak Hooda gets off the mark with a single and Yuvraj smashes the next over long-off where Mandeep does well to retrieve the ball in and concede just a single before Hooda gets one from the last ball.

Sunrisers 151-2 (15 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Aravind comes back into the attack. Three singles from the first four balls before Yuvraj plays his trademark flick over midwicket for a four.

The Indian left-hander cuts loose in the next over. He throws his bat a wide delivery but gets an inside edge which passes close to the stumps and goes past the wicketkeeper for a four.

The next ball is lofted straight back over the bowler's head for a six followed by a pull shot over midwicket for a four.

Choudhary tries the slower ball but ends up giving a wide before Yuvraj steers it past point for two runs.

He pulls the last ball straight into the hands of Arvind at deep square leg who puts down a straightforward chance to give Yuvraj (26) a lifeline.

That would have been the perfect redemption for Choudhary, who shakes his head in disappointment as he ends up giving 18 runs in his third over.

Watson comes back after an expensive start. Yuvraj continues his attacking approach as he lofts Watson over the leg side for a four before he gets one from the next delivery to thirdman.

Watson gets his length right as he bowls it full and up to the stumps and gives away just three runs in his remaining four deliveries.

Aravind comes back as RCB keep juggling their bowlers. Henriques comes down the track and smashes it through the off-side for a four followed by a single.

Aravind, who dropped Yuvraj, now gifts him a short ball which he pulls over midwicket for a six followed by one as he races to 40 from 17 balls.

Aravind drops short again as this time Moises smashes it over midwicket for a six to bring up the first half-century of IPL 10, from 34 balls and bring up RCB's 150.

Sunrisers 98-2 (11 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Choudhary comes back in place of part-timer Head, who bowled just one over in which he gave away 11 runs.

Dhawan has a wild swing off the first ball but misses it completely and has another close shave as he looks to swing it over the leg side but mishits as Watson is unable to get to the ball from mid-off.

A good over from Choudhary giving away just four runs as Sunrisers reach 88 for one in 10 overs at the halfway stage.

Stuart Binny comes into the attack, replacing Chahal, who bowled a good first spell of three overs for 18 runs.

Henriques takes a single from the first ball before Dhawan pulls a slower ball past short fine leg for a four. He comes down the track to the next delivery but only manages to hole out to the fielder at long-on after a good innings of 40 from 31 balls.

Henriques picks a single before Yuvraj steers Binny past point for a couple and then steers the last ball fine on the off-side for another couple.

Sunrisers 84-1 (9 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

RCB captain Shane Watson brings himself into the attack to bowl the final over the of the Powerplay.

Dhawan changes gears as he hits the first two balls of the over for boundaries to bring up Hyderabad's 50.

Two balls later the left-hander smashes a wide full delivery through the covers for the third four of the over. Watson drops short again as Dhawan pulls him behind square on the leg side for the fourth boundary of the over before taking a single from the last ball to take Sunrisers to 59 for one in six overs.

Chahal restores normalcy for RCB as he bowls another quiet over, giving away just six singles.

Part-time off-spinner Travis Head comes into the attack. Three singles from the first three balls before Henriques chips down the track and lofts it straight down the ground for a six followed by two more singles to get 11 from the over.

Sunrisers sensibly deciding not to take too many risks against Chahal though Dhawan gives him the charge and is nearly done in by the wide delivery as he somehow gets his bat on it.

Hyderabad are looking good for a huge total as they reach 84 for one in nine overs with Dhawan on 34 from 25 balls and Henriques on 32 from 22 balls.

Sunrisers 42-1 (5 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Mills bowls a yorker on the stumps which Dhawan behind square on the leg side for a couple and Henriques cuts the next but can't find the gap. Mills tries a slower ball which the right-hander defends before he flicks the next ball through the leg side for three runs followed by two singles from the last two balls.

Spin introduced early as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack. Henriques gets a single from the second ball and Dhawan does the same two balls later. Henriques nearly loses his wicket as he looks for the second run but is sent halfway down the track and is lucky that the throw was at the wrong end.

Dhawan gets one from the last ball as Chahal makes a tidy start, conceding just four runs in his first over, bowled in the Powerplay.

Left-arm pacer Sreenath Aravind comes into the attack as Mills gets a break after a good first spell of two overs for 12 runs on his IPL debut.

Three singles from the first three balls before Henriques plays the inside out chip shot over the covers for a couple. The next ball is short as the Australian pulls it through the leg side for a four as the hosts race to 42 for one in five overs.

Sunrisers 23-1 (2 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Left-arm pacers from both ends as Rajasthan's debutant fast bowler Aniket Choudhary comes into the attack from the other end.

Dhawan picks a quick single from the first ball before Warner smashes a wide delivery over mid-off for another cracking boundary.

Choudhary then bowls a no-ball to give away the first free hit of the tournament. Warner doesn't need any second invitation as he despatches the free hit ball over midwicket for the first six of IPL 10.

However, the young pacer gets revenge off the very next delivery. Warner throws his bat at a wide delivery but only manages to hit it straight to Mandeep  at point to fall for 14.

Moises Henriques gets off the mark with a bang as he smashes the last ball past point for a boundary as 16 runs come from the over.

Sunrisers 7-0 (1 ov) vs RCB | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Tymal Mills to open the bowling for RCB. The first ball is short of length as Warner punches it on the off-side but can't find the gap and he taps the next on the leg side as the two batsmen hesitate before deciding against the run.

The next ball is again a bit short and this time Warner opens the face of the bat and hits it square on the off-side for a four to get off the mark in some style in IPL 10.

Mills bowls a wide down the leg side which RCB wicketkeeper Kedar Jadhav fails to collect and gives two extra runs. The last ball is on the pads as Shikhar Dhawan misses the flick but takes a quick leg bye  as seven come from the first over.

Check out how the two teams line up today's match:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Shane Watson (captain), Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav (w/k), Travis Head, Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Tymal Mills, Sreenath Aravind, Aniket Choudhary, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, Yuvraj Singh, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha (w/k), Ben Cutting, Bipul Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Ashish Nehra.

RCB's stand-in captain Shane Watson has won the first toss of IPL and has elected to bowl against Hyderabad led by his former Australia team mate David Warner.

England pacer Tymal Mills will make his debut for RCB, while for the hosts Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan will play his first match in the IPL.

Welcome to the coverage of the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League. The T20 tournament kicks-off with a high-voltage opening encounter between champions Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The IPL, which this year runs from April 5 until May 21, has been a trailblazer of sorts, inspiring similar tournaments elsewhere and even other sports.

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has been named interim captain of the depleted RCB team who are missing batting mainstays Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers because of injuries. In-form batsman KL Rahul will also miss the tournament because of a shoulder injury.

Defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad with David Warner at the helm will once again be one of the title contenders.

Yuvraj Singh, Deepak Hooda and Shikhar Dhawan are capable of changing the course of the match, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra and Mustafizur Rahaman would look to continue their superb showing with the ball from the last year.