Royal Challengers Bangalore

Rajasthan Royals' Chetan Sakariya, like his team mates, could not add to his tally of six wickets on Thursday as RCB openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal's 181-run partnership helped them win the match by 10 wickets.

"We spoke about it (on the 100). He told me to finish it off, I told him to get to it first. He said many will come, I told him you tell me that after you get the first one. He deserved to get the three-figure mark," said Kohli.

Chasing 178 for victory, Padikkal, who is coming off a remarkable domestic season in which he scored 737 runs at an average of 147.4, raced to an unbeaten 101 off 52 deliveries to lead the charge, while Kohli got his first half-century of this IPL season, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 47 deliveries.

"Well, I said at the halfway mark we have 200 because of two genius innings back-to-back. Maxwell was outstanding and AB to follow," said Kohli in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Andre Russell's 31 off 20 balls late in the KKR innings gave them hope of pulling off an epic chase but Mohammed Siraj ended up giving away just one run in the penultimate over, at the start of which KKR needed 44 to win.

"It's a very nice start, a new franchise for me and they have given me a specific role. To start like this is really nice. It's nice to have batters behind you, you have freedom with AB to come and it's a very similar role I have in the Australian cricket team," said Maxwell, who was awarded man of the match for his 41-ball 59.

While South African wicketkeeping-batsman Quinton de Kock missed out for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore were forced to pick a replacement for their opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who was a find for them last season."Quinny (Quinton de Kock) is in quarantine, so he isn't available. Lynn will make debut," said MI skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the tournament opener.

Speaking to the media in a virtual interaction on Thursday, a day before RCB open their 2021 season against Mumbai Indians, the Aussie said, "It has been nice to slip straight into the squad. These guys have been welcoming and I have come in unnoticed. I feel like I can bring some energy. Every team I play for, I play with enthusiasm and with energy."

Both Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj weren't big names in the previous edition of IPL in UAE just six months ago. However, in the last six months, they have performed well for India in Test series against Australia and England to become RCB's star players.Pace bowler Navdeep Saini is the other one who played in Australia and although he got injured, a stint with the India Test team will likely benefit him in the IPL 2021.

"There is nothing quite like playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium (RCB's home ground in Bengaluru) in front of your home crowd. I understand and agree with that. Obviously, the fans are going to miss watching us play -- such is the time that we in right now," said Kohli on the eve of his franchise's season-opener against Mumbai Indians.