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Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians will kick start their IPL 2026 campaign on Sunday (Mar 28) as they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-octane clash. Chasing their sixth title, MI will look to make a good start to the season, while eyes will also be on KKR as they try to put behind a disappointing IPL 2025 season. Ahead of the key clash, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, head-to-head and other key details.<h2>What is the head-to-head record for the MI vs KKR clash in IPL history?</h2>Not much separates both MI and KKR in overall head-to-head records, with the hosts of Sunday’s match winning 24 while Kolkata have won 11 in 26 previous meetings.&nbsp;<h2>What is the venue for the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2?</h2>The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will be the venue for the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>When will the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 start?</h2>The MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 will start at 7:30 p.m. IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 p.m. IST.<h2>Which channel will broadcast the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2?</h2>The Star Sports Network will broadcast the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 in India.<h2>Which platform will live-stream the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2?</h2>The Jio+Hotstar will live-stream the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 in India.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Squads</h2>Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Sherfane Rutherford, Ryan Rickelton, Quinton De Kock, Danish Malewar, N. Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat, Corbin Bosch, Will Jacks, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Raghu Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Izhar, Allah Ghazanfar.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep

Chasing their sixth title, MI will look to make a good start to the season, while eyes will also be on KKR as they try to put behind a disappointing IPL 2025 season. Ahead of the key clash, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, head-to-head and other key details.

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians will kick start their IPL 2026 campaign on Sunday (Mar 28) as they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-octane clash. Chasing their sixth title, MI will look to make a good start to the season, while eyes will also be on KKR as they try to put behind a disappointing IPL 2025 season. Ahead of the key clash, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, head-to-head and other key details. What is the head-to-head record for the MI vs KKR clash in IPL history? Not much separates both MI and KKR in overall head-to-head records, with the hosts of Sunday’s match winning 24 while Kolkata have won 11 in 26 previous meetings. What is the venue for the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2? The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will be the venue for the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions When will the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 start? The MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 will start at 7:30 p.m. IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 p.m. IST. Which channel will broadcast the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2? The Star Sports Network will broadcast the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 in India. Which platform will live-stream the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2? The Jio+Hotstar will live-stream the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 Match No.2 in India. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Squads Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Sherfane Rutherford, Ryan Rickelton, Quinton De Kock, Danish Malewar, N. Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat, Corbin Bosch, Will Jacks, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Raghu Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Izhar, Allah Ghazanfar. Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep

Chasing their sixth title, MI will look to make a good start to the season, while eyes will also be on KKR as they try to put behind a disappointing IPL 2025 season. Ahead of the key clash, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, head-to-head and other key details.

IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about MI vs KKR match no 2 timing, squad, H2H & more

Former India off-spinner and CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin will pick up the commentator's mic for the first time in IPL 2026 in JioStar's studios. An accomplished storyteller and analyst of the game, Ashwin will bring his insights to live action and will be part of JioStar's special dedicated Hindi digital feed on JioHotstar. Ashwin, who retired from the IPL after the 2025 edition, will be joined by India and IPL legend Virender Sehwag, RCB legend AB de Villiers, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champion Irfan Pathan, CSK’s IPL winners Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Faf du Plessis, former RCB Captain and Mentor Anil Kumble.&nbsp;JioStar’s panel will be bolstered by T20 champions, former internationals, world-class presenters, accomplished experts, seasoned broadcasters such as Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Clake, Eoin Morgan, Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, and Kevin Pietersen, among many others. The presentation of 20+ feeds will be brought to viewers by over 150 presenters and experts across JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.&nbsp;Star Sports Network will present the IPL 2026 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, while JioHotstar will offer fans as many as 12 language options, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Malayalam. These will be enhanced by two audience-inclusive feeds - Indian Sign Language and Audio Descriptive feed.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;Siddharth Sharma, Head of Content, Sports – JioStar, said , “As the IPL continues to scale up in unprecedented ways, our push is to assemble legends and heavyweights of the league together in our studios in a way that will offer a unique insider’s perspective to fans, alongside also making the biggest T20 extravaganza more accessible to all. Along with bringing together the sharpest minds in the game, fans can take control of their viewing experience with numerous options on demand and enjoy an enhanced visual spectacle across devices.”&nbsp;In addition, JioHotstar will once again bring MaxView in Hindi and English, and also allow fans to choose a vantage point from which they can experience the game through a multi-cam experience featuring five camera angles, such as a Hero Cam, Stump Cam, Batter Cam, Field View, and a multi-view angle.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;The dedicated digital feed in Hindi will feature former IPL champions, legends, and some of the best analytical minds for a unique watch-along experience. Apart from Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Aakash Chopra will come together on the feed to regale everyone with first-hand dressing room stories, never-heard-before tales.

Ashwin, who retired from the IPL after the 2025 edition, will be joined by India and IPL legend Virender Sehwag, RCB legend AB de Villiers, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champion Irfan Pathan, CSK’s IPL winners Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Faf du Plessis and Anil Kumble.

Former India off-spinner and CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin will pick up the commentator's mic for the first time in IPL 2026 in JioStar's studios. An accomplished storyteller and analyst of the game, Ashwin will bring his insights to live action and will be part of JioStar's special dedicated Hindi digital feed on JioHotstar. Ashwin, who retired from the IPL after the 2025 edition, will be joined by India and IPL legend Virender Sehwag, RCB legend AB de Villiers, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champion Irfan Pathan, CSK’s IPL winners Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Faf du Plessis, former RCB Captain and Mentor Anil Kumble. JioStar’s panel will be bolstered by T20 champions, former internationals, world-class presenters, accomplished experts, seasoned broadcasters such as Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Clake, Eoin Morgan, Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, and Kevin Pietersen, among many others. The presentation of 20+ feeds will be brought to viewers by over 150 presenters and experts across JioHotstar and Star Sports Network. Star Sports Network will present the IPL 2026 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, while JioHotstar will offer fans as many as 12 language options, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Malayalam. These will be enhanced by two audience-inclusive feeds - Indian Sign Language and Audio Descriptive feed. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Siddharth Sharma, Head of Content, Sports – JioStar, said , “As the IPL continues to scale up in unprecedented ways, our push is to assemble legends and heavyweights of the league together in our studios in a way that will offer a unique insider’s perspective to fans, alongside also making the biggest T20 extravaganza more accessible to all. Along with bringing together the sharpest minds in the game, fans can take control of their viewing experience with numerous options on demand and enjoy an enhanced visual spectacle across devices.” In addition, JioHotstar will once again bring MaxView in Hindi and English, and also allow fans to choose a vantage point from which they can experience the game through a multi-cam experience featuring five camera angles, such as a Hero Cam, Stump Cam, Batter Cam, Field View, and a multi-view angle. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions The dedicated digital feed in Hindi will feature former IPL champions, legends, and some of the best analytical minds for a unique watch-along experience. Apart from Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Aakash Chopra will come together on the feed to regale everyone with first-hand dressing room stories, never-heard-before tales.

Ashwin, who retired from the IPL after the 2025 edition, will be joined by India and IPL legend Virender Sehwag, RCB legend AB de Villiers, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champion Irfan Pathan, CSK’s IPL winners Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Faf du Plessis and Anil Kumble.

From Pitch to Mic: Ravichandran Ashwin to make commentary debut in IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) campaign on Sunday (Mar 29) as they take on three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The contest, however, will come early for some of MI’s key players with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner out of contention. The trio was not part of the mandatory training session on Friday, indicating they will all but miss the opening clash. ‘<h2>Bumrah, Jacks to miss KKR clash</h2>According to prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Bumrah is still undergoing rehabilitation and was recently spotted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. It is likely that Bumrah will be rested for a few matches in the early stage of the tournament. While the injury is not serious, the MI team management is not risking Bumrah’s availability and maintains a long-term vision.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;Santner is yet to arrive in India for the IPL 2026, having traveled to New Zealand to face South Africa in a five-match T20I series. Santner led New Zealand to the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier in the month.<h2>MS Dhoni will also miss IPL opener</h2>Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Indian cricketing icon MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a calf strain, announced the franchise on Saturday. A statement issued by the Yellow franchise said, "MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of the TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala!"&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;CSK will be starting the season on March 30 against the 2008 champions, Rajasthan Royals, at Guwahati, with the former RR player Sanju Samson now having joined the Yellow franchise, and the veteran CSK, India legend Ravindra Jadeja getting a homecoming to RR after a trade ahead of the auction. The trade also involved English all-rounder Sam Curran being traded from CSK to RR, but the pace bowling all-rounder will miss out on the tournament due to injury.

According to prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah is still undergoing rehabilitation and was recently spotted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. It is likely that Bumrah will be rested for a few matches in the early stage of the tournament. 

Mumbai Indians will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) campaign on Sunday (Mar 29) as they take on three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The contest, however, will come early for some of MI’s key players with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner out of contention. The trio was not part of the mandatory training session on Friday, indicating they will all but miss the opening clash. ‘ Bumrah, Jacks to miss KKR clash According to prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Bumrah is still undergoing rehabilitation and was recently spotted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. It is likely that Bumrah will be rested for a few matches in the early stage of the tournament. While the injury is not serious, the MI team management is not risking Bumrah’s availability and maintains a long-term vision. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Santner is yet to arrive in India for the IPL 2026, having traveled to New Zealand to face South Africa in a five-match T20I series. Santner led New Zealand to the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier in the month. MS Dhoni will also miss IPL opener Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Indian cricketing icon MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a calf strain, announced the franchise on Saturday. A statement issued by the Yellow franchise said, "MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of the TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala!" ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL CSK will be starting the season on March 30 against the 2008 champions, Rajasthan Royals, at Guwahati, with the former RR player Sanju Samson now having joined the Yellow franchise, and the veteran CSK, India legend Ravindra Jadeja getting a homecoming to RR after a trade ahead of the auction. The trade also involved English all-rounder Sam Curran being traded from CSK to RR, but the pace bowling all-rounder will miss out on the tournament due to injury.

According to prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah is still undergoing rehabilitation and was recently spotted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. It is likely that Bumrah will be rested for a few matches in the early stage of the tournament.&nbsp;

IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians to miss key players including Jasprit Bumrah, Will Jacks for KKR clash

The Bangladesh government has reversed its earlier stance and is now open to allowing the broadcast of IPL 2026, just weeks after tensions between the two countries had led to a complete suspension of the league’s telecast in the country. The announcement was confirmed by newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan. The earlier ban had followed the exit of Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament, who had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore, but was later released following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).&nbsp;BCCI had directed the team to release Rahman in response to incidents involving the killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. This incident also affected relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the BCCI, even leading Bangladesh to withdraw from the T20 World Cup at the time. However, relations appear to have improved recently, with officials from both cricket boards engaging more positively.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-it-is-not-for-me-to-decide-argentina-manager-scaloni-on-messi-s-availability-for-fifa-world-cup-1774678885862">'It is not for me to decide': Argentina manager Scaloni on Messi’s availability for FIFA World Cup</a>&nbsp;The minister expressed that the government does not want to mix politics with sports, instead, they will look at IPL broadcasting as a business decision. He added that any TV channel that wants to show the IPL can apply, and the government will likely allow it.&nbsp;&nbsp;"No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don’t want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively," Swapan said.&nbsp;“We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports wants to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything," Swapan added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-major-setback-for-chennai-super-kings-as-ms-dhoni-set-to-miss-early-matches-deets-inside-1774673346260">IPL 2026: Major setback for CSK as Dhoni set to miss early matches, deets inside</a>&nbsp;This change comes after a phase of uncertainty during the tenure of the previous interim administration led by Professor Mohammad Younus, which had enforced the initial ban.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh has supported this move, saying there are currently no restrictions on showing IPL matches in the country.

Bangladesh has reversed its stance on the Indian Premier League, as the country’s Information and Broadcasting minister confirmed that the tournament will face no broadcast ban.

The Bangladesh government has reversed its earlier stance and is now open to allowing the broadcast of IPL 2026, just weeks after tensions between the two countries had led to a complete suspension of the league’s telecast in the country. The announcement was confirmed by newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan. The earlier ban had followed the exit of Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament, who had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore, but was later released following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). BCCI had directed the team to release Rahman in response to incidents involving the killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. This incident also affected relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the BCCI, even leading Bangladesh to withdraw from the T20 World Cup at the time. However, relations appear to have improved recently, with officials from both cricket boards engaging more positively. Also Read - 'It is not for me to decide': Argentina manager Scaloni on Messi’s availability for FIFA World Cup The minister expressed that the government does not want to mix politics with sports, instead, they will look at IPL broadcasting as a business decision. He added that any TV channel that wants to show the IPL can apply, and the government will likely allow it. "No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don’t want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively," Swapan said. “We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports wants to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything," Swapan added. Also Read - IPL 2026: Major setback for CSK as Dhoni set to miss early matches, deets inside This change comes after a phase of uncertainty during the tenure of the previous interim administration led by Professor Mohammad Younus, which had enforced the initial ban. Meanwhile, the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh has supported this move, saying there are currently no restrictions on showing IPL matches in the country.

Bangladesh has reversed its stance on the Indian Premier League, as the country’s Information and Broadcasting minister confirmed that the tournament will face no broadcast ban.

IPL 2026 broadcast back in Bangladesh as Tarique Rahman government reverses boycott decision

From Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Sikandar Raza, here's a look at the top five batters to score fastest T20I hundreds. This list also includes Sahil Chauhan, Muhammad Fahad and Finn Allen.

From Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Sikandar Raza, here's a look at the top five batters to score fastest T20I hundreds. This list also includes Sahil Chauhan, Muhammad Fahad and Finn Allen.

Meet top 5 batters with fastest T20I hundreds

Former India captain MS Dhoni is set to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 while undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain, delivering a significant setback to five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, the team confirmed on Saturday (Mar 28). The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, is expected to miss the first four matches of 2026 season for the franchise. In his absence, wicketkeeping duties are likely to be taken over by either Sanju Samson or Urvil Patel.&nbsp;“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala,” CSK wrote in their statement on social media.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Official Statement MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala! 💛🦁 <a href="https://t.co/4dgmt5EWFi">pic.twitter.com/4dgmt5EWFi</a>&mdash; Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL/status/2037749077728010360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-aims-to-help-dc-win-their-maiden-ipl-title-auqib-nabi-dar-on-ipl-2026-goals-1774624021612">‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals</a>&nbsp;Since retiring from international cricket in Aug 2020, Dhoni has focused solely on the Indian Premier League. In the previous season, he played all 14 matches for the Super Kings, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. He also resumed captaincy duties early in the campaign after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with an elbow injury.&nbsp;At the age of 44, any appearance by Dhoni in this edition would make him the oldest Indian to play in the league, surpassing former Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Praveen Tambe.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-when-will-josh-hazlewood-play-rcb-coach-andy-flower-gives-update-1774670541678">IPL 2026: When will Josh Hazlewood play? RCB coach Andy Flower gives update</a>&nbsp;He also continues to hold the record for the most IPL appearances and is one of only four players, along with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey, who have participated in all 19 seasons. Across 278 matches, he has amassed 5,439 runs and recorded 205 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.&nbsp;The 2023 champions will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Mar 30.&nbsp;

The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Mar 30 in Guwahati.

Former India captain MS Dhoni is set to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 while undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain, delivering a significant setback to five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, the team confirmed on Saturday (Mar 28). The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, is expected to miss the first four matches of 2026 season for the franchise. In his absence, wicketkeeping duties are likely to be taken over by either Sanju Samson or Urvil Patel. “MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala,” CSK wrote in their statement on social media.

The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Mar 30 in Guwahati.

IPL 2026: Major setback for Chennai Super Kings as MS Dhoni set to miss early matches, deets inside

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower has indicated that Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is close to returning to action in IPL 2026. The 35-year-old has been out of international cicket since Oct 2025, missing both the Ashes and the 2026 T20 World Cup due to injury. Cricket Australia had earlier confirmed that Hazlewood, along with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, would miss the opening phase of the season, however, Hazlewood has linked up with the RCB squad on March 26 and has begun light training sessions with the team. &nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking at the press conference before the IPL 2026 opener, Flower said Hazlewood looks in good shape and his presence has lifted the dressing room atmosphere. However, he clarified that the pacer won’t be available for the first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the coaching staff plans to keep a close watch on his fitness as they prepare for his comeback in the tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tiger-woods-arrested-on-dui-charge-following-florida-rollover-crash-1774668000648">Tiger Woods arrested on DUI charge following Florida rollover crash</a>&nbsp;“Hazlewood arrived yesterday and he’s looking fit. It’s great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again. He won’t be ready for tomorrow because he’s just arrived, but we’ll monitor his fitness closely and we’re looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL soon," said Flower.&nbsp;Hazlewood previously delivered a strong campaign for RCB, taking 22 wickets in 12 matches at an impressive average of 17.55 and an economy of 8.77, including a four-wicket haul.&nbsp;Meanwhile, RCB will also be without Yash Dayal this season due to personal reasons. The franchise has added Mangesh Yadav and Abhinandan Singh to their squad, while Rasikh Dar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar remain part of the pace attack.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-aims-to-help-dc-win-their-maiden-ipl-title-auqib-nabi-dar-on-ipl-2026-goals-1774624021612">‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals</a>&nbsp;Flower further expressed confidence in the Indian seamers, highlighting their improvement and ability to step up when given the chance. He noted Rasikh’s progress over the past year and praised the potential shown by both Mangesh and Abhinandan.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re happy with the Indian seamers in the squad. Rasikh is a better bowler than he was last year, and he’s worked very hard on his game. We’re also pleased to have recruited Mangesh and we’ve been encouraged by Abhinandan’s progress recently. All three have qualities that put them in good shape if they get their opportunities in this tournament,” the coach added.&nbsp;&nbsp;The defending champions will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower has indicated that Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is close to returning to action in IPL 2026. The 35-year-old has been out of international cicket since Oct 2025, missing both the Ashes and the 2026 T20 World Cup due to injury. Cricket Australia had earlier confirmed that Hazlewood, along with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, would miss the opening phase of the season, however, Hazlewood has linked up with the RCB squad on March 26 and has begun light training sessions with the team. Speaking at the press conference before the IPL 2026 opener, Flower said Hazlewood looks in good shape and his presence has lifted the dressing room atmosphere. However, he clarified that the pacer won’t be available for the first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the coaching staff plans to keep a close watch on his fitness as they prepare for his comeback in the tournament. Also Read - Tiger Woods arrested on DUI charge following Florida rollover crash “Hazlewood arrived yesterday and he’s looking fit. It’s great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again. He won’t be ready for tomorrow because he’s just arrived, but we’ll monitor his fitness closely and we’re looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL soon," said Flower. Hazlewood previously delivered a strong campaign for RCB, taking 22 wickets in 12 matches at an impressive average of 17.55 and an economy of 8.77, including a four-wicket haul. Meanwhile, RCB will also be without Yash Dayal this season due to personal reasons. The franchise has added Mangesh Yadav and Abhinandan Singh to their squad, while Rasikh Dar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar remain part of the pace attack. Also Read - ‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals Flower further expressed confidence in the Indian seamers, highlighting their improvement and ability to step up when given the chance. He noted Rasikh’s progress over the past year and praised the potential shown by both Mangesh and Abhinandan. “We’re happy with the Indian seamers in the squad. Rasikh is a better bowler than he was last year, and he’s worked very hard on his game. We’re also pleased to have recruited Mangesh and we’ve been encouraged by Abhinandan’s progress recently. All three have qualities that put them in good shape if they get their opportunities in this tournament,” the coach added. The defending champions will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

IPL 2026: When will Josh Hazlewood play? RCB coach Andy Flower gives update

SunRisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori has cleared the air on captain Pat Cummins’ availability as the 2016 winners start their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) campaign on Saturday (Mar 28). Cummins, who will miss the initial stage of the season with a lumbar stress injury, is likely to be back in April. However, no definite date has been set for the return, with SRH management ready to take their time and not rush the return.<h2>Vettori clears air on Cummins return</h2>"His fitness has been exceptional because he's been out of the game for an extended period of time, so he's had that time to work on that fitness, a real block of work around strength and conditioning. The only challenge for him was the bowling loads,” Vettori said in a press conference on Friday.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;"So once he got the all clear from Cricket Australia to build those bowling loads, it's obviously a bit of a painstaking process to get the lungs up to where he feels confident and strong about bowling. Hopefully, we can get a definitive timeline, probably in the next 10-12 days, around when he can return to play," Vettori added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Who will lead SRH in IPL 2026 opener?</h2>With Pat Cummins missing the opening few matches, SRH will be led by Ishan Kishan, who gets the nod ahead of Travis Head. Ishan is fresh from the T20 World Cup victory and played a key role in India’s triumph at home. He will have added duties on his shoulders during the initial stage until Cummins makes his return. SRH enjoyed a stellar run in IPL 2024 and reached the final before being outclassed by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pat Cummins, who will miss the initial stage of the season with a lumbar stress injury, is likely to be back in April. However, no definite date has been set for the return, with SRH management ready to take their time and not rush the return.

SunRisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori has cleared the air on captain Pat Cummins’ availability as the 2016 winners start their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) campaign on Saturday (Mar 28). Cummins, who will miss the initial stage of the season with a lumbar stress injury, is likely to be back in April. However, no definite date has been set for the return, with SRH management ready to take their time and not rush the return. Vettori clears air on Cummins return "His fitness has been exceptional because he's been out of the game for an extended period of time, so he's had that time to work on that fitness, a real block of work around strength and conditioning. The only challenge for him was the bowling loads,” Vettori said in a press conference on Friday. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL "So once he got the all clear from Cricket Australia to build those bowling loads, it's obviously a bit of a painstaking process to get the lungs up to where he feels confident and strong about bowling. Hopefully, we can get a definitive timeline, probably in the next 10-12 days, around when he can return to play," Vettori added. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Who will lead SRH in IPL 2026 opener? With Pat Cummins missing the opening few matches, SRH will be led by Ishan Kishan, who gets the nod ahead of Travis Head. Ishan is fresh from the T20 World Cup victory and played a key role in India’s triumph at home. He will have added duties on his shoulders during the initial stage until Cummins makes his return. SRH enjoyed a stellar run in IPL 2024 and reached the final before being outclassed by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pat Cummins, who will miss the initial stage of the season with a lumbar stress injury, is likely to be back in April. However, no definite date has been set for the return, with SRH management ready to take their time and not rush the return.

IPL 2026: Daniel Vettori clears air on Pat Cummins' availability, says 'probably in the next...'

Eight teams will battle to fill the four remaining spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026 from Europe as some of the heavyweights of the game lock horns in the final of the playoff round. After a thrilling semifinal round, the likes of Italy, Sweden, Denmark and others will be out to take their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to start in less than three months' time. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details.<h2>What fixtures will take place in the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2><h3>Path A</h3>Final: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy<h3>Path B</h3>Final: Sweden vs Poland<h3>Path C</h3>Final: Kosovo &nbsp;vs Turkey<h3>Path D</h3>Final: Czech Republic vs Denmark&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>When are the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>The final round of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place on March 31.<h2>Where will the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 be?</h2>Teams have been seeded for both the semifinals in each path. Teams seeded in the semifinal will host the semifinal, while draws have determined the format for the final of the final.<h2>What is the format of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in a single-leg format with seeded teams hosting the match. Draws have determined the team set to host the final and are mentioned above.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Which channel will broadcast the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network.<h2>Which platform will live-stream the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be live-streamed on the Sony Liv App.

After a thrilling semifinal round, the likes of Italy, Sweden, Denmark and others will be out to take their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to start in less than three months time. 

Eight teams will battle to fill the four remaining spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026 from Europe as some of the heavyweights of the game lock horns in the final of the playoff round. After a thrilling semifinal round, the likes of Italy, Sweden, Denmark and others will be out to take their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to start in less than three months' time. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details. What fixtures will take place in the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026? Path A Final: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy Path B Final: Sweden vs Poland Path C Final: Kosovo vs Turkey Path D Final: Czech Republic vs Denmark ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL When are the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026? The final round of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place on March 31. Where will the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 be? Teams have been seeded for both the semifinals in each path. Teams seeded in the semifinal will host the semifinal, while draws have determined the format for the final of the final. What is the format of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in a single-leg format with seeded teams hosting the match. Draws have determined the team set to host the final and are mentioned above. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Which channel will broadcast the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. Which platform will live-stream the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be live-streamed on the Sony Liv App.

After a thrilling semifinal round, the likes of Italy, Sweden, Denmark and others will be out to take their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to start in less than three months' time.&nbsp;

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Playoff final: Here's all you need to know - fixtures, teams, format, live streaming

One of the most talked-about uncapped Indian players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Auqib Nabi Dar is set for his maiden IPL stint after being picked up by the Delhi Capitals for INR 8.4 crore at last December’s auction. The right-arm pacer, who impressed with a brilliant performance in the Ranji Trophy-winning campaign for Jammu and Kashmir, has now turned his focus to delivering for the Capitals in the upcoming season.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking during a pre-season media interaction, Nabi told WION that his goal is to give his best in every tournament he plays. He wants to be a leading wicket-taker for his team and aims to help Delhi Capitals win their maiden IPL trophy by sticking to his strengths and playing his natural game.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-shashank-singh-underlines-ricky-ponting-s-importance-for-punjab-kings-says-he-s-a-very-key-member-1774615368843">IPL 2026: Shashank Singh underlines Ricky Ponting's importance for Punjab Kings, says 'he's a very key member'</a>&nbsp;“In whatever tournament I play, whether it’s domestic or local, I aim to be a key wicket-taker for my team. My endeavor is to help my team (Delhi Capitals) win their maiden trophy and I hope my contribution this time helps us lift the cup,” said Nabi while answering WION's Aditya Bhatia.&nbsp;Known as the “Baramulla Express,” Nabi played a crucial role with both bat and ball in Jammu &amp; Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy victory. He impressed with his accuracy and consistency, picking up 60 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 12.65 during the season.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-here-s-all-you-need-to-know-about-rcb-vs-srh-opening-match-timing-squad-live-streaming-more-1774611868146">IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about RCB vs SRH opening match</a>&nbsp;With Mitchell Starc likely to miss the early part of the tournament, there is strong interest in seeing how Nabi performs, especially if he gets the opportunity to open the bowling for Delhi. The team will begin their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Apr 1.

Delhi Capitals (DC) will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. 

One of the most talked-about uncapped Indian players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Auqib Nabi Dar is set for his maiden IPL stint after being picked up by the Delhi Capitals for INR 8.4 crore at last December’s auction. The right-arm pacer, who impressed with a brilliant performance in the Ranji Trophy-winning campaign for Jammu and Kashmir, has now turned his focus to delivering for the Capitals in the upcoming season. Speaking during a pre-season media interaction, Nabi told WION that his goal is to give his best in every tournament he plays. He wants to be a leading wicket-taker for his team and aims to help Delhi Capitals win their maiden IPL trophy by sticking to his strengths and playing his natural game. Also Read - IPL 2026: Shashank Singh underlines Ricky Ponting's importance for Punjab Kings, says 'he's a very key member' “In whatever tournament I play, whether it’s domestic or local, I aim to be a key wicket-taker for my team. My endeavor is to help my team (Delhi Capitals) win their maiden trophy and I hope my contribution this time helps us lift the cup,” said Nabi while answering WION's Aditya Bhatia. Known as the “Baramulla Express,” Nabi played a crucial role with both bat and ball in Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy victory. He impressed with his accuracy and consistency, picking up 60 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 12.65 during the season. Also Read - IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about RCB vs SRH opening match With Mitchell Starc likely to miss the early part of the tournament, there is strong interest in seeing how Nabi performs, especially if he gets the opportunity to open the bowling for Delhi. The team will begin their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Apr 1.

Delhi Capitals (DC) will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1.&nbsp;

‘Aim is to help DC win their maiden IPL title’: Auqib Nabi Dar on IPL 2026 goals

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season will kick off on Saturday (Mar 28) as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain-raiser clash. While the eyes will be on the champions on Saturday, it won’t be until Tuesday when IPL 2025 runners-up Punjab Kings (PBKS) take the field. They will take on the Gujarat Titans in Chandigarh and will try to start on a winning note, having seen a blend of success stories in IPL 2025.<h2>Shashank opens up on Ricky Ponting</h2>One of the standout performers of the IPL 2025 was batter Shashank Singh, who made a name for himself with explosive batting and match-winning knocks. While PBKS may have missed out on the title, his performances did not go unnoticed and he has been slowly making a name for himself. He answered WION’s Aditya Pimpale on Friday ahead of the season-opener and spoke on the role of Ricky Ponting and how he has helped transform PBKS.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;“His role is very important. He's a very key member of Punjab Kings, the way he handles everyone. And when I talk about everyone, I'm talking about the 25 players we have, plus the support staff. Because obviously, in a tournament like IPL, it's very important to have a good team environment. And obviously, we all know that,” Shashank said while answering WION’s Aditya Pimpale in Jio Star Press Room.&nbsp;“Most likely, 15, 18 guys only play in the 14 matches, or whatever, 17 matches. So, it depends on how he treats the rest of the 7 guys as well. Because, see, end of the day, skill-wise, almost every team is equal.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;“It's… it comes to that, how's the team environment? So Ricky sir made sure that the team environment is really good. Even this year, as well, in the first meeting only, he made sure that we would leverage everyone's performances. And everyone is equal. Shreyas is equal to the newest player, like Vishal Lashar, he's someone from UP,” added Shashank.&nbsp;Punjab Kings will face Gujarat Titans on Tuesday (Mar 31) as they target a positive start with star names like Shashank, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Arshdeep Singh and others.

One of the standout performers of the IPL 2025 was batter Shashank Singh, who made a name for himself with explosive batting and match-winning knocks. While PBKS may have missed out on the title, his performances did not go unnoticed and he has been slowly making a name for himself. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season will kick off on Saturday (Mar 28) as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain-raiser clash. While the eyes will be on the champions on Saturday, it won’t be until Tuesday when IPL 2025 runners-up Punjab Kings (PBKS) take the field. They will take on the Gujarat Titans in Chandigarh and will try to start on a winning note, having seen a blend of success stories in IPL 2025. Shashank opens up on Ricky Ponting One of the standout performers of the IPL 2025 was batter Shashank Singh, who made a name for himself with explosive batting and match-winning knocks. While PBKS may have missed out on the title, his performances did not go unnoticed and he has been slowly making a name for himself. He answered WION’s Aditya Pimpale on Friday ahead of the season-opener and spoke on the role of Ricky Ponting and how he has helped transform PBKS. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions “His role is very important. He's a very key member of Punjab Kings, the way he handles everyone. And when I talk about everyone, I'm talking about the 25 players we have, plus the support staff. Because obviously, in a tournament like IPL, it's very important to have a good team environment. And obviously, we all know that,” Shashank said while answering WION’s Aditya Pimpale in Jio Star Press Room. “Most likely, 15, 18 guys only play in the 14 matches, or whatever, 17 matches. So, it depends on how he treats the rest of the 7 guys as well. Because, see, end of the day, skill-wise, almost every team is equal. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL “It's… it comes to that, how's the team environment? So Ricky sir made sure that the team environment is really good. Even this year, as well, in the first meeting only, he made sure that we would leverage everyone's performances. And everyone is equal. Shreyas is equal to the newest player, like Vishal Lashar, he's someone from UP,” added Shashank. Punjab Kings will face Gujarat Titans on Tuesday (Mar 31) as they target a positive start with star names like Shashank, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Arshdeep Singh and others.

One of the standout performers of the IPL 2025 was batter Shashank Singh, who made a name for himself with explosive batting and match-winning knocks. While PBKS may have missed out on the title, his performances did not go unnoticed and he has been slowly making a name for himself.&nbsp;

IPL 2026: Shashank Singh underlines Ricky Ponting's importance for Punjab Kings, says 'he's a very key member'

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season is all set to start on Saturday (Mar 29) as Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) take on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. IPL 2026 will be the first time RCB will walk out as the defending champions, having won the title in 2025. So ahead of the key clash, here are all the details of the opening match, including match timing, squad, live streaming and more.<h2>Is there an opening ceremony for the IPL 2026?</h2>No. There will be no opening ceremony for the IPL 2026 match as the organisers scrapped the showpiece to pay tribute to the victims of the victory parade that took place on 4 June 2025.<h2>What is the head-to-head record for the RCB vs SRH clash in IPL history?</h2>Not much separates both RCB and SRH in overall head-to-head records, with the hosts of Saturday’s match winning 11 while Hyderabad have won 13 in 26 previous meetings. Two matches have ended without results.<h2>What is the venue for the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match?</h2>The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be the venue for the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>When will the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match start?</h2>The RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match will start at 7:30 p.m. IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 p.m. IST.<h2>Which channel will broadcast the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match?</h2>The Star Sports Network will broadcast the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match in India.<h2>Which platform will live-stream the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match?</h2>The Jio+Hotstar will live-stream the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match in India.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Squads</h2>Royal Challengers Bengaluru&nbsp;Squad: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma(w), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Swapnil Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal.&nbsp;Sunrisers Hyderabad&nbsp;Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, Shivam Mavi, Smaran Ravichandran, Zeeshan Ansari, Salil Arora, Kamindu Mendis, Brydon Carse, David Payne, Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain, Krains Fuletra, Amit Kumar.

IPL 2026 will be the first time RCB will walk out as the defending champions, having won the title in 2025. So ahead of the key clash, here are all the details of the opening match, including match timing, squad, live streaming and more.

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season is all set to start on Saturday (Mar 29) as Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) take on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. IPL 2026 will be the first time RCB will walk out as the defending champions, having won the title in 2025. So ahead of the key clash, here are all the details of the opening match, including match timing, squad, live streaming and more. Is there an opening ceremony for the IPL 2026? No. There will be no opening ceremony for the IPL 2026 match as the organisers scrapped the showpiece to pay tribute to the victims of the victory parade that took place on 4 June 2025. What is the head-to-head record for the RCB vs SRH clash in IPL history? Not much separates both RCB and SRH in overall head-to-head records, with the hosts of Saturday’s match winning 11 while Hyderabad have won 13 in 26 previous meetings. Two matches have ended without results. What is the venue for the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match? The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be the venue for the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL When will the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match start? The RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match will start at 7:30 p.m. IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 p.m. IST. Which channel will broadcast the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match? The Star Sports Network will broadcast the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match in India. Which platform will live-stream the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match? The Jio+Hotstar will live-stream the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 opening match in India. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Squads Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma(w), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Swapnil Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal. Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, Shivam Mavi, Smaran Ravichandran, Zeeshan Ansari, Salil Arora, Kamindu Mendis, Brydon Carse, David Payne, Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain, Krains Fuletra, Amit Kumar.

IPL 2026 will be the first time RCB will walk out as the defending champions, having won the title in 2025. So ahead of the key clash, here are all the details of the opening match, including match timing, squad, live streaming and more.

IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about RCB vs SRH opening match - timing, squad, live streaming & more

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal strongly criticised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a strange incident during the opening match of the 2026 season between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium sparked controversy. During the match, the white ball unexpectedly turned pink after dye from Hyderabad’s jerseys rubbed off on it. The incident soon gained attention on social media, with many dubbing it a “pink-ball game.” Akmal also mocked the situation, joking that the team’s kits looked cheaply dyed as the colour came off so easily.&nbsp;“I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates,” said Kamran Akmal.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/iran-bans-sports-teams-from-visiting-hostile-countries-amid-west-asia-crisis-1774591004794">Iran bans sports teams from visiting 'hostile' countries amid West Asia crisis</a><h3>Watch</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 FORMER PAKISTAN CRICKETER TAKES A BRUTAL DIG AT PSL OVER PINK BALL SAGA &quot;I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates.&quot; 🤣😭🤣 ~Kamran Akmal <a href="https://t.co/7IIkbCXVEV">pic.twitter.com/7IIkbCXVEV</a>&mdash; Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) <a href="https://twitter.com/sarkarstix/status/2037376255440687413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In cricket, players usually polish the ball on their shirts or towels to maintain shine and help with swing, however, this case raised concerns about the quality of the jerseys, with critics calling it an embarrassing moment for the league.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-irfan-pathan-makes-big-csk-claim-says-ms-dhoni-would-want-to-pass-the-baton-to-1774605471416">IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan makes big CSK claim, says 'MS Dhoni would want to...'</a>&nbsp;Hyderabad Kingsmen's captain Marnus Labuschagne also spoke about the incident in the post match conference, noting that he had never seen anything like this before. He mentioned that he noticed the ball changing colour early in the match and even asked the umpires about it. While marks sometimes come from bats or pads, he said it was unusual for clothing to cause this.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I did say to the umpires after the second over, 'What's going on? The ball is red.' It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven't seen anything like this before, I've seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I've never seen this happen with clothing. I'm sure they'll sort it out in the next few games,” Labuschagne told reporters.

Former Pakistan batter Kamran Akmal has criticised the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid the ‘pink ball’ controversy.

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal strongly criticised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a strange incident during the opening match of the 2026 season between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium sparked controversy. During the match, the white ball unexpectedly turned pink after dye from Hyderabad’s jerseys rubbed off on it. The incident soon gained attention on social media, with many dubbing it a “pink-ball game.” Akmal also mocked the situation, joking that the team’s kits looked cheaply dyed as the colour came off so easily. “I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates,” said Kamran Akmal. Also Read - Iran bans sports teams from visiting 'hostile' countries amid West Asia crisis Watch

Former Pakistan batter Kamran Akmal has criticised the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid the ‘pink ball’ controversy.

‘Got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane’: Kamran Akmal slams PSL over jersey colour fiasco

Former India speedster Irfan Pathan has backed Sanju Samson, not Ruturaj Gaikwad, to carry the success baton at five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings. Speaking on the eve of the start of the tournament, Irfan reckons Samson has all the qualities to succeed Dhoni, who has carried the baton for almost two decades. Irfan also reckons this season will be Dhoni’s last at CSK and could bid farewell to the IPL.<h2>Irfan makes bold claim</h2>“It looks like this will be MS Dhoni’s last season. The signs are there because, if you look at the Chennai setup, they have brought in a wicketkeeper-batsman who can play for the next few years. You can build your team around him and he can be the face of the franchise, that is Sanju Samson,” Irfan said while speaking on JioStar’s ‘IPL Today Live’ show.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;“He has also upgraded himself in terms of form in international cricket. He has just won a World Cup and has been batting fantastically well. That is one player MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to - someone who has the caliber to do all that and whom even the fans can identify with and connect to.&nbsp;“With Sanju’s arrival, I feel Dhoni can now say that maybe it is time for him to pass on that baton. But should this have happened earlier? Because I feel that a player like MS Dhoni cannot be just a two-over player. You do not build your legacy like that. So yes, I think the time is right,” Irfan added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;In November, Samson was traded to CSK with Ravindra Jadeja going in the opposite direction. This meant Samson would end his long association with the Rajasthan Royals, where he had served for 12 seasons across two spells. In a productive career, he scored 4027 runs from 149 matches.&nbsp;However, the upcoming season will see him don the colours of CSK, where he will be a key addition with MS Dhoni likely to announce his retirement.

Speaking on the eve of the start of the tournament, Irfan Pathan reckons Samson has all the qualities to succeed Dhoni, who has carried the baton for almost two decades. Irfan also reckons this season will be Dhoni’s last at CSK and could bid farewell to the IPL.

Former India speedster Irfan Pathan has backed Sanju Samson, not Ruturaj Gaikwad, to carry the success baton at five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings. Speaking on the eve of the start of the tournament, Irfan reckons Samson has all the qualities to succeed Dhoni, who has carried the baton for almost two decades. Irfan also reckons this season will be Dhoni’s last at CSK and could bid farewell to the IPL. Irfan makes bold claim “It looks like this will be MS Dhoni’s last season. The signs are there because, if you look at the Chennai setup, they have brought in a wicketkeeper-batsman who can play for the next few years. You can build your team around him and he can be the face of the franchise, that is Sanju Samson,” Irfan said while speaking on JioStar’s ‘IPL Today Live’ show. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions “He has also upgraded himself in terms of form in international cricket. He has just won a World Cup and has been batting fantastically well. That is one player MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to - someone who has the caliber to do all that and whom even the fans can identify with and connect to. “With Sanju’s arrival, I feel Dhoni can now say that maybe it is time for him to pass on that baton. But should this have happened earlier? Because I feel that a player like MS Dhoni cannot be just a two-over player. You do not build your legacy like that. So yes, I think the time is right,” Irfan added. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL In November, Samson was traded to CSK with Ravindra Jadeja going in the opposite direction. This meant Samson would end his long association with the Rajasthan Royals, where he had served for 12 seasons across two spells. In a productive career, he scored 4027 runs from 149 matches. However, the upcoming season will see him don the colours of CSK, where he will be a key addition with MS Dhoni likely to announce his retirement.

Speaking on the eve of the start of the tournament, Irfan Pathan reckons Samson has all the qualities to succeed Dhoni, who has carried the baton for almost two decades. Irfan also reckons this season will be Dhoni’s last at CSK and could bid farewell to the IPL.

IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan makes big CSK claim, says 'MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to...'

From Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, here's a look at the top five bowlers fastest to 150 wickets in Indian Premier League. This list also includes Lasith Malinga, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal

From Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, here's a look at the top five bowlers fastest to 150 wickets in Indian Premier League. This list also includes Lasith Malinga, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal

Meet top 5 bowlers fastest to 150 wickets in Indian Premier League

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill has stated that he is not experiencing any additional pressure ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season and explained that his main objective is to contribute to the team’s success and help secure another title, rather than focusing on individual records. Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, Gill said that his performances over the past few seasons have been consistent and therefore he does not feel the need to prove himself again.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 26-year-old also mentioned that he has been one of the top run-scorers in recent IPL seasons and feels that if the team continues to play well together, they have a strong chance of winning another trophy.&nbsp;"I think if you look at the past three or four seasons, I think I have the most runs in the IPL. So I don't think I have anything to prove in this season particularly. And the four years that I have played for this team, I think we have done decently well as a team. And I think I have done decently well as a batsman," Gill said in the pre-tournament press conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-rcb-pacer-nuwan-thushara-set-to-miss-season-due-to-this-reason-1774584288126">IPL 2026: RCB pacer Nuwan Thushara set to miss season due to THIS reason</a>&nbsp;"So I don't think I need to prove to anyone my worth. I think I need to do what I have been doing for the past four years. And as a team, we need to be consistent, which I think we have been. And if we continue doing that sooner or later, I think we will win that trophy once more,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/carolina-marin-drops-curtains-on-illustrious-career-former-olympic-champion-announces-official-retirement-1774539304209">Former Olympic champion Carolina Marin announces official retirement</a>&nbsp;In his IPL career so far, Gill has played 118 matches and has scored 3,866 runs at an average of 39.44, including four centuries and 26 half-centuries. As the new season approaches, he will look to build on this record and guide Gujarat Titans towards further success.&nbsp;The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Mar 31.

The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Mar 31.

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill has stated that he is not experiencing any additional pressure ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season and explained that his main objective is to contribute to the team’s success and help secure another title, rather than focusing on individual records. Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, Gill said that his performances over the past few seasons have been consistent and therefore he does not feel the need to prove himself again. The 26-year-old also mentioned that he has been one of the top run-scorers in recent IPL seasons and feels that if the team continues to play well together, they have a strong chance of winning another trophy. "I think if you look at the past three or four seasons, I think I have the most runs in the IPL. So I don't think I have anything to prove in this season particularly. And the four years that I have played for this team, I think we have done decently well as a team. And I think I have done decently well as a batsman," Gill said in the pre-tournament press conference. Also Read - IPL 2026: RCB pacer Nuwan Thushara set to miss season due to THIS reason "So I don't think I need to prove to anyone my worth. I think I need to do what I have been doing for the past four years. And as a team, we need to be consistent, which I think we have been. And if we continue doing that sooner or later, I think we will win that trophy once more,” he added. Also Read - Former Olympic champion Carolina Marin announces official retirement In his IPL career so far, Gill has played 118 matches and has scored 3,866 runs at an average of 39.44, including four centuries and 26 half-centuries. As the new season approaches, he will look to build on this record and guide Gujarat Titans towards further success. The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Mar 31.

The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Mar 31.

'I don't think I have anything to prove': GT skipper Shubman Gill ahead of IPL 2026

Sri Lanka speedster Nuwan Thushara is likely to miss the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reportedly declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under its new fitness policy. This comes as a major setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who may be without their overseas pacer for the upcoming season. As per reports, SLC now permits players to participate in overseas leagues only if they meet newly introduced benchmarks aimed at improving overall fitness across the national pool.&nbsp;The 31-year-old, while not injured and available to play, failed to meet the required benchmarks in recent fitness assessments and as a result, he has not been granted the NOC, ruling him out of the tournament unless there is a change in the decision.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/carolina-marin-drops-curtains-on-illustrious-career-former-olympic-champion-announces-official-retirement-1774539304209">Former Olympic champion Carolina Marin announces official retirement</a>&nbsp;Under the new rules, all players must pass fitness tests before they can take part in leagues like the IPL or Pakistan Super League. Thushara’s selection depended on passing these tests, but reports say he could not reach the set standards.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, several Sri Lankan players have cleared the required fitness benchmarks and been granted approval to play in the IPL, including Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-releases-full-ipl-2026-schedule-13-venues-to-host-70-matches-raipur-dharamshala-included-1774530440563">BCCI releases full IPL 2026 schedule, 13 venues to host 70 matches</a><h2>Josh Hazlewood joins RCB camp&nbsp;</h2>Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has linked up with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with the franchise confirming his arrival on Mar 26 through their social media channels.&nbsp;However, the defending champions will have to begin their campaign without the experienced quick as he continues his recovery from hamstring and Achilles issues. The right-arm pacer was earlier sidelined during the home Ashes against England and also missed the T20 World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka speedster Nuwan Thushara is likely to miss the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reportedly declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under its new fitness policy. This comes as a major setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who may be without their overseas pacer for the upcoming season. As per reports, SLC now permits players to participate in overseas leagues only if they meet newly introduced benchmarks aimed at improving overall fitness across the national pool. The 31-year-old, while not injured and available to play, failed to meet the required benchmarks in recent fitness assessments and as a result, he has not been granted the NOC, ruling him out of the tournament unless there is a change in the decision. Also Read - Former Olympic champion Carolina Marin announces official retirement Under the new rules, all players must pass fitness tests before they can take part in leagues like the IPL or Pakistan Super League. Thushara’s selection depended on passing these tests, but reports say he could not reach the set standards. Meanwhile, several Sri Lankan players have cleared the required fitness benchmarks and been granted approval to play in the IPL, including Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis. Also Read - BCCI releases full IPL 2026 schedule, 13 venues to host 70 matches Josh Hazlewood joins RCB camp Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has linked up with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with the franchise confirming his arrival on Mar 26 through their social media channels. However, the defending champions will have to begin their campaign without the experienced quick as he continues his recovery from hamstring and Achilles issues. The right-arm pacer was earlier sidelined during the home Ashes against England and also missed the T20 World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka.

IPL 2026: RCB pacer Nuwan Thushara set to miss season due to THIS reason

Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL) defense on Saturday (Mar 28) as they face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening fixture. However, the team will now have to draw plans for the future as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed fixtures for the rest of the season, having earlier done so for the first phase. So here is a detailed look at the fixtures for RCB and why this season is epic for them.<h2>RCB full IPL 2026 schedule</h2>The defending champions, as mentioned, will start their title defense on Saturday at home at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB’s first away fixture of the season will be against Rajasthan Royals when they take on the 2008 champions in Guwahati on April 10. However, the biggest game of the season for RCB will be the fixture against the Mumbai Indians, first on April 12 in Mumbai and then on May 10 in Raipur. RCB, for the first time, will play two fixtures at an adopted home when they are in Raipur for fixtures against the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;<h2>Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2026 Full Schedule – Match List</h2><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Home</td><td>Away</td><td>Venue</td><td>Date</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Sunrisers Hyderabad</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>28/03/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>5/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Rajasthan Royals</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Guwahati</td><td>10/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Mumbai Indians</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Mumbai</td><td>12/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Lucknow Super Giants</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>15/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Delhi Capitals</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>18/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Gujarat Titans</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>24/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Delhi Capitals</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Delhi</td><td>27/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Gujarat Titans</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Ahmedabad</td><td>30/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Lucknow Super Giants</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Lucknow</td><td>07/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Mumbai Indians</td><td>Raipur</td><td>10/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Kolkata Knight Riders</td><td>Raipur</td><td>13/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Punjab Kings</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Dharamsala</td><td>17/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Sunrisers Hyderabad</td><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Hyderabad</td><td>22/05/2026</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Royal Challengers Bengaluru full IPL 2026 squad&nbsp;</h2>Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.

Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL) defense on Saturday (Mar 28) as they face SRH in the opening fixture. RCB’s first away fixture of the season will be against RR when they take on the 2008 champions in Guwahati on April 10.

Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL) defense on Saturday (Mar 28) as they face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening fixture. However, the team will now have to draw plans for the future as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed fixtures for the rest of the season, having earlier done so for the first phase. So here is a detailed look at the fixtures for RCB and why this season is epic for them. RCB full IPL 2026 schedule The defending champions, as mentioned, will start their title defense on Saturday at home at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB’s first away fixture of the season will be against Rajasthan Royals when they take on the 2008 champions in Guwahati on April 10. However, the biggest game of the season for RCB will be the fixture against the Mumbai Indians, first on April 12 in Mumbai and then on May 10 in Raipur. RCB, for the first time, will play two fixtures at an adopted home when they are in Raipur for fixtures against the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2026 Full Schedule – Match List Home Away Venue Date Royal Challengers Bengaluru Sunrisers Hyderabad Bengaluru 28/03/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chennai Super Kings Bengaluru 5/04/2026 Rajasthan Royals Royal Challengers Bengaluru Guwahati 10/04/2026 Mumbai Indians Royal Challengers Bengaluru Mumbai 12/04/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Lucknow Super Giants Bengaluru 15/04/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Delhi Capitals Bengaluru 18/04/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Gujarat Titans Bengaluru 24/04/2026 Delhi Capitals Royal Challengers Bengaluru Delhi 27/04/2026 Gujarat Titans Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ahmedabad 30/04/2026 Lucknow Super Giants Royal Challengers Bengaluru Lucknow 07/05/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Mumbai Indians Raipur 10/05/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Kolkata Knight Riders Raipur 13/05/2026 Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru Dharamsala 17/05/2026 Sunrisers Hyderabad Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hyderabad 22/05/2026 ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Royal Challengers Bengaluru full IPL 2026 squad Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.

Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) will kick start their Indian Premier League (IPL) defense on Saturday (Mar 28) as they face SRH in the opening fixture. RCB’s first away fixture of the season will be against RR when they take on the 2008 champions in Guwahati on April 10.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026: Full fixtures, venues, dates, squad breakdown & key insights

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) full schedule was announced on Thursday (Mar 26) as 10 teams will compete at 13 venues across 70 matches and then the right to win the biggest franchise cricket league in the world. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time winners, also learnt their fixtures on Thursday. So here’s a detailed look at CSK’s fixtures, key dates, squads and other details as they kick start their IPL 2026 season.<h2>CSK full IPL 2026 schedule&nbsp;</h2>CSK will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati before taking on Punjab Kings on April 3 in their first home game of the season. However, the eyes of the cricket fraternity will be on the fixture against the Mumbai Indians, which takes place on April 23 in Mumbai, before the return leg takes place on May 2 in Chennai.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2026 Full Schedule – Match List</h2><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Home</td><td>Away</td><td>Venue</td><td>Date</td></tr><tr><td>Rajasthan Royals</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Guwahati</td><td>30/03/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Punjab Kings</td><td>Chennai</td><td>03/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Royal Challengers Bengaluru</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Bengaluru</td><td>05/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Delhi Capitals</td><td>Chennai</td><td>11/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Kolkata Knight Riders</td><td>Chennai</td><td>14/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Sunrisers Hyderabad</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Hyderabad</td><td>18/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Mumbai Indians</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Mumbai</td><td>23/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Gujarat Titans</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Ahmedabad</td><td>26/04/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Mumbai Indians</td><td>Chennai</td><td>02/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Delhi Capitals</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Lucknow</td><td>05/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Lucknow Super Giants</td><td>Chennai</td><td>10/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Lucknow Super Giants</td><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Lucknow</td><td>15/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Sunrisers Hyderabad</td><td>Chennai</td><td>18/05/2026</td></tr><tr><td>Chennai Super Kings</td><td>Gujarat Titans</td><td>Chennai</td><td>21/05/2026</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Chennai Super Kings full IPL 2026 squad&nbsp;</h2>Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brewis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Anshuil Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Mathew William Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.

CSK will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati before taking on Punjab Kings on April 3 in their first home game of the season. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) full schedule was announced on Thursday (Mar 26) as 10 teams will compete at 13 venues across 70 matches and then the right to win the biggest franchise cricket league in the world. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time winners, also learnt their fixtures on Thursday. So here’s a detailed look at CSK’s fixtures, key dates, squads and other details as they kick start their IPL 2026 season. CSK full IPL 2026 schedule CSK will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati before taking on Punjab Kings on April 3 in their first home game of the season. However, the eyes of the cricket fraternity will be on the fixture against the Mumbai Indians, which takes place on April 23 in Mumbai, before the return leg takes place on May 2 in Chennai. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2026 Full Schedule – Match List Home Away Venue Date Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super Kings Guwahati 30/03/2026 Chennai Super Kings Punjab Kings Chennai 03/04/2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chennai Super Kings Bengaluru 05/04/2026 Chennai Super Kings Delhi Capitals Chennai 11/04/2026 Chennai Super Kings Kolkata Knight Riders Chennai 14/04/2026 Sunrisers Hyderabad Chennai Super Kings Hyderabad 18/04/2026 Mumbai Indians Chennai Super Kings Mumbai 23/04/2026 Gujarat Titans Chennai Super Kings Ahmedabad 26/04/2026 Chennai Super Kings Mumbai Indians Chennai 02/05/2026 Delhi Capitals Chennai Super Kings Lucknow 05/05/2026 Chennai Super Kings Lucknow Super Giants Chennai 10/05/2026 Lucknow Super Giants Chennai Super Kings Lucknow 15/05/2026 Chennai Super Kings Sunrisers Hyderabad Chennai 18/05/2026 Chennai Super Kings Gujarat Titans Chennai 21/05/2026 ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Chennai Super Kings full IPL 2026 squad Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brewis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Anshuil Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Mathew William Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.

CSK will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati before taking on Punjab Kings on April 3 in their first home game of the season.&nbsp;

Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026: Full fixtures, venues, dates, squad breakdown & key insights

After the BCCI released the IPL 2026 final league match schedule on Thursday (Mar 26), the fans wonder who and where the former five-time winners, Mumbai Indians (MI), will play against. Check out MI’s full first-phase schedule, opponents and venues.

After the BCCI released the IPL 2026 final league match schedule on Thursday (Mar 26), the fans wonder who and where the former five-time winners, Mumbai Indians (MI), will play against. Check out MI’s full first-phase schedule, opponents and venues.

Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 Full Schedule: Check Dates and Venues

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the full schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) with matches spread across 13 venues. In an announcement made on Thursday (Mar 26), the BCCI allotted matches to venues in Jaipur, Dharamshala and Raipur, which had earlier been skipped. The current season of the IPL starts on Saturday with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.<h2>BCCI releases schedule for IPL 2026</h2>With Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu mainly influencing the schedule for the first half of IPL 2026, the BCCI released the full itinerary on Thursday. The schedule released on Thursday sees the allocation of venues for all 70 matches, with fixtures spread across 13 venues. Venues in Raipur, Jaipur and Dharamshala are the latest inductees, having missed out in the first phase.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;Raipur will serve as home ground for RCB for their last two matches in the league stage, while Dharamshala will be the traditional second home for Punjab Kings. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will play their matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the second half, while they start the season at their adopted home ground in Guwahati.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Full schedule of IPL 2026 league phase</h2><ol><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 28 Mar 2026, Sat, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 29 Mar 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings — 30 Mar 2026, Mon, Guwahati, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans — 31 Mar 2026, Tue, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals — 01 Apr 2026, Wed, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 02 Apr 2026, Thu, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings — 03 Apr 2026, Fri, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians — 04 Apr 2026, Sat, Delhi, 3:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals — 04 Apr 2026, Sat, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants — 05 Apr 2026, Sun, Hyderabad, 3:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings — 05 Apr 2026, Sun, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings — 06 Apr 2026, Mon, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians — 07 Apr 2026, Tue, Guwahati, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans — 08 Apr 2026, Wed, Delhi, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants — 09 Apr 2026, Thu, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 10 Apr 2026, Fri, Guwahati, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 11 Apr 2026, Sat, New Chandigarh, 3:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals — 11 Apr 2026, Sat, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans — 12 Apr 2026, Sun, Lucknow, 3:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 12 Apr 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals — 13 Apr 2026, Mon, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 14 Apr 2026, Tue, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants — 15 Apr 2026, Wed, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings — 16 Apr 2026, Thu, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 17 Apr 2026, Fri, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals — 18 Apr 2026, Sat, Bengaluru, 3:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings — 18 Apr 2026, Sat, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals — 19 Apr 2026, Sun, Kolkata, 3:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants — 19 Apr 2026, Sun, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians — 20 Apr 2026, Mon, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals — 21 Apr 2026, Tue, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals — 22 Apr 2026, Wed, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings — 23 Apr 2026, Thu, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans — 24 Apr 2026, Fri, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings — 25 Apr 2026, Sat, Delhi, 3:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 25 Apr 2026, Sat, Jaipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings — 26 Apr 2026, Sun, Ahmedabad, 3:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 26 Apr 2026, Sun, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 27 Apr 2026, Mon, Delhi, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals — 28 Apr 2026, Tue, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 29 Apr 2026, Wed, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 30 Apr 2026, Thu, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals — 01 May 2026, Fri, Jaipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians — 02 May 2026, Sat, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 03 May 2026, Sun, Hyderabad, 3:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings — 03 May 2026, Sun, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants — 04 May 2026, Mon, Mumbai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings — 05 May 2026, Tue, Delhi, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings — 06 May 2026, Wed, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 07 May 2026, Thu, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 08 May 2026, Fri, Delhi, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans — 09 May 2026, Sat, Jaipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants — 10 May 2026, Sun, Chennai, 3:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians — 10 May 2026, Sun, Raipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals — 11 May 2026, Mon, Dharamshala, 7:30 PM</li><li>Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 12 May 2026, Tue, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 13 May 2026, Wed, Raipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians — 14 May 2026, Thu, Dharamshala, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings — 15 May 2026, Fri, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans — 16 May 2026, Sat, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li><li>Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 17 May 2026, Sun, Dharamshala, 3:30 PM</li><li>Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals — 17 May 2026, Sun, Delhi, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 18 May 2026, Mon, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants — 19 May 2026, Tue, Jaipur, 7:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians — 20 May 2026, Wed, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li><li>Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans — 21 May 2026, Thu, Chennai, 7:30 PM</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 22 May 2026, Fri, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings — 23 May 2026, Sat, Lucknow, 7:30 PM</li><li>Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals — 24 May 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 3:30 PM</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals — 24 May 2026, Sun, Kolkata, 7:30 PM</li></ol>

In an announcement made on Thursday (Mar 26), the BCCI allotted matches to venues in Jaipur, Dharamshala and Raipur, which had earlier been skipped.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the full schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) with matches spread across 13 venues. In an announcement made on Thursday (Mar 26), the BCCI allotted matches to venues in Jaipur, Dharamshala and Raipur, which had earlier been skipped. The current season of the IPL starts on Saturday with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. BCCI releases schedule for IPL 2026 With Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu mainly influencing the schedule for the first half of IPL 2026, the BCCI released the full itinerary on Thursday. The schedule released on Thursday sees the allocation of venues for all 70 matches, with fixtures spread across 13 venues. Venues in Raipur, Jaipur and Dharamshala are the latest inductees, having missed out in the first phase. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Raipur will serve as home ground for RCB for their last two matches in the league stage, while Dharamshala will be the traditional second home for Punjab Kings. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will play their matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the second half, while they start the season at their adopted home ground in Guwahati. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Full schedule of IPL 2026 league phase Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 28 Mar 2026, Sat, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 29 Mar 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings — 30 Mar 2026, Mon, Guwahati, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans — 31 Mar 2026, Tue, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals — 01 Apr 2026, Wed, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 02 Apr 2026, Thu, Kolkata, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings — 03 Apr 2026, Fri, Chennai, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians — 04 Apr 2026, Sat, Delhi, 3:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals — 04 Apr 2026, Sat, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants — 05 Apr 2026, Sun, Hyderabad, 3:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings — 05 Apr 2026, Sun, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings — 06 Apr 2026, Mon, Kolkata, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians — 07 Apr 2026, Tue, Guwahati, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans — 08 Apr 2026, Wed, Delhi, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants — 09 Apr 2026, Thu, Kolkata, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 10 Apr 2026, Fri, Guwahati, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 11 Apr 2026, Sat, New Chandigarh, 3:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals — 11 Apr 2026, Sat, Chennai, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans — 12 Apr 2026, Sun, Lucknow, 3:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 12 Apr 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals — 13 Apr 2026, Mon, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 14 Apr 2026, Tue, Chennai, 7:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants — 15 Apr 2026, Wed, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings — 16 Apr 2026, Thu, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 17 Apr 2026, Fri, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals — 18 Apr 2026, Sat, Bengaluru, 3:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings — 18 Apr 2026, Sat, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals — 19 Apr 2026, Sun, Kolkata, 3:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants — 19 Apr 2026, Sun, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians — 20 Apr 2026, Mon, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals — 21 Apr 2026, Tue, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals — 22 Apr 2026, Wed, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings — 23 Apr 2026, Thu, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans — 24 Apr 2026, Fri, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings — 25 Apr 2026, Sat, Delhi, 3:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 25 Apr 2026, Sat, Jaipur, 7:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings — 26 Apr 2026, Sun, Ahmedabad, 3:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 26 Apr 2026, Sun, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 27 Apr 2026, Mon, Delhi, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals — 28 Apr 2026, Tue, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 29 Apr 2026, Wed, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 30 Apr 2026, Thu, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals — 01 May 2026, Fri, Jaipur, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians — 02 May 2026, Sat, Chennai, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 03 May 2026, Sun, Hyderabad, 3:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings — 03 May 2026, Sun, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants — 04 May 2026, Mon, Mumbai, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings — 05 May 2026, Tue, Delhi, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings — 06 May 2026, Wed, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 07 May 2026, Thu, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 08 May 2026, Fri, Delhi, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans — 09 May 2026, Sat, Jaipur, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants — 10 May 2026, Sun, Chennai, 3:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians — 10 May 2026, Sun, Raipur, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals — 11 May 2026, Mon, Dharamshala, 7:30 PM Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 12 May 2026, Tue, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders — 13 May 2026, Wed, Raipur, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians — 14 May 2026, Thu, Dharamshala, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings — 15 May 2026, Fri, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans — 16 May 2026, Sat, Kolkata, 7:30 PM Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 17 May 2026, Sun, Dharamshala, 3:30 PM Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals — 17 May 2026, Sun, Delhi, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — 18 May 2026, Mon, Chennai, 7:30 PM Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants — 19 May 2026, Tue, Jaipur, 7:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians — 20 May 2026, Wed, Kolkata, 7:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans — 21 May 2026, Thu, Chennai, 7:30 PM Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 22 May 2026, Fri, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings — 23 May 2026, Sat, Lucknow, 7:30 PM Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals — 24 May 2026, Sun, Mumbai, 3:30 PM Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals — 24 May 2026, Sun, Kolkata, 7:30 PM

In an announcement made on Thursday (Mar 26), the BCCI allotted matches to venues in Jaipur, Dharamshala and Raipur, which had earlier been skipped.

BCCI releases full IPL 2026 schedule, 13 venues to host 70 matches; Raipur, Dharamshala included

After the BCCI released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, the fans wonder who and where the former one-time winner, Gujarat Titans (GT), will play against. Check out GT’s full first-phase schedule, opponents, match timings and venues. Shubman Gill will lead the franchise this season.

After the BCCI released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, the fans wonder who and where the former one-time winner, Gujarat Titans (GT), will play against. Check out GT’s full first-phase schedule, opponents, match timings and venues. Shubman Gill will lead the franchise this season.

IPL 2026: GT phase 1 schedule, match timings and venue list

After the BCCI released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, the fans wonder who and where the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play against. Check out PBKS’ full first-phase schedule, opponents, match timings and venues. Shreyas Iyer will lead the franchise this season.

After the BCCI released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, the fans wonder who and where the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play against. Check out PBKS’ full first-phase schedule, opponents, match timings and venues. Shreyas Iyer will lead the franchise this season.

IPL 2026: PBKS phase 1 schedule, match timings and venue list

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has a selection headache heading into their tournament opener against Rajasthan Royals in an away IPL 2026 clash on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati. While the two IPL heroes, Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, will hog all the limelight as they face off against their former teams, the biggest question remains unanswered: Who will open for CSK this season? Spilling beans on the number one, two and three spots, with frontline options available, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad broke his silence, picking Samson as his opening partner for the 19th edition.&nbsp;While Samson switched teams ahead of this season, moving to CSK after several years at RR, Jadeja moved to the Royals, his first IPL team, in a trade swap. Samson’s inclusion helped CSK tick plenty of boxes, including having a seasoned keeper and a potential replacement for MS Dhoni. While Samson batted inside the top three for the Royals over the past seasons, he would open this time for his new team alongside the franchise captain Gaikwad.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-cancels-ipl-2026-opening-ceremony-to-honour-june-4-stampede-victims-m-chinnaswamy-11-lives-lost-rcb-srh-opener-closing-ceremony-1774515341506">No Glitz at IPL 2026: BCCI cancels opening ceremony to honour June 4 stampede victims</a> &nbsp;Unlike the last season, where CSK struggled to find a settled opening pair despite trying several options, including debuting current U19 World Cup-winning captain, Mhatre, they have made their choices straight this time, picking Samson and Gaikwad as their opening pair. The rookie batter, however, will come in at number three if picked. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the tournament opener, CSK captain Gaikwad revealed Samson as his opening partner.&nbsp; &nbsp;Watch Video –

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From the skipper himself 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/Ruutu1331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ruutu1331</a> reveals CSK’s opening pair at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CaptainsDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CaptainsDay</a> 🏏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> 2026 👉 Starts 28 Mar, 5:30 PM <a href="https://t.co/xOhS4GOmUC">pic.twitter.com/xOhS4GOmUC</a>&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/2036978946986959274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>CSK's batting woes in IPL 2025</h2>CSK finished at the bottom of the points table, with just four wins in 14 contested matches. Although they failed to click as a unit, mid-tournament injury to their top run-getter and captain, Gaikwad, made things worse; having said that, his injury replacement (Mhatre) left a mark with his top-order exploits, hitting 240 runs in seven outings.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mhatre’s best knock came against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy, where he smashed a brilliant 94 during the run chase. CSK failed to achieve the target and lost that game.&nbsp; &nbsp;On the other hand, Dewald Brevis, who came in as a replacement for injured seamer Gurjapneet Singh, also impressed with his 225 runs in six outings.&nbsp; &nbsp;The two will remain an integral part of CSK’s batting unit this season, with several new additions, including Sarfaraz Khan and the uncapped pair of Karthik Sharma and Prashant Veer, adding spice to the attack and allowing Gaikwad plenty of options to pick from. &nbsp;The CSK captain, however, remained mum on team veteran MS Dhoni’s batting position in IPL 2026.

Ruturaj Gaikwad confirms Sanju Samson as his new opening partner for IPL 2026! As CSK prepares for a high-stakes opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, find out where U19 star Ayush Mhatre will bat and how the historic Samson-Jadeja trade reshapes the "Yellow Army."

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has a selection headache heading into their tournament opener against Rajasthan Royals in an away IPL 2026 clash on Monday (Mar 30) in Guwahati. While the two IPL heroes, Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, will hog all the limelight as they face off against their former teams, the biggest question remains unanswered: Who will open for CSK this season? Spilling beans on the number one, two and three spots, with frontline options available, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad broke his silence, picking Samson as his opening partner for the 19th edition. While Samson switched teams ahead of this season, moving to CSK after several years at RR, Jadeja moved to the Royals, his first IPL team, in a trade swap. Samson’s inclusion helped CSK tick plenty of boxes, including having a seasoned keeper and a potential replacement for MS Dhoni. While Samson batted inside the top three for the Royals over the past seasons, he would open this time for his new team alongside the franchise captain Gaikwad. Also read | No Glitz at IPL 2026: BCCI cancels opening ceremony to honour June 4 stampede victims Unlike the last season, where CSK struggled to find a settled opening pair despite trying several options, including debuting current U19 World Cup-winning captain, Mhatre, they have made their choices straight this time, picking Samson and Gaikwad as their opening pair. The rookie batter, however, will come in at number three if picked. Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the tournament opener, CSK captain Gaikwad revealed Samson as his opening partner. Watch Video –

Ruturaj Gaikwad confirms Sanju Samson as his new opening partner for IPL 2026! As CSK prepares for a high-stakes opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, find out where U19 star Ayush Mhatre will bat and how the historic Samson-Jadeja trade reshapes the "Yellow Army."

IPL 2026: Gaikwad picks Samson as his opening partner for CSK; check Mhatre’s batting position

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday (Mar 26) revealed the Indian men’s team's schedule for the 2026-27 season, featuring a bumper home action. India will play 22 matches at home during the men’s home season with visits from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia. The highlight reel of the season will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts on 21 Jan 2027, and will have bearings on the qualification of the World Test Championship (WTC).<h2>BCCI reveals schedule for 2026-27 season</h2>“The upcoming home season promises an exciting and action-packed calendar, featuring four visiting teams — West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia — in a multi-format schedule. The season will comprise 22 international matches in 17 cities, offering fans across the country the opportunity to witness top-quality international cricket,” the BCCI said in its release.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;“The season will commence with the West Indies tour of India, starting on September 27, 2026. The tour will feature a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. The ODIs will be played in Trivandrum, Guwahati and New Chandigarh, before the action shifts to the T20Is, which will be hosted across Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” the release added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Indian men's team home schedule for 2026-27 season</h2><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="8">WEST INDIES TOUR OF INDIA</td></tr><tr><td>No.</td><td colspan="2">Date (From)</td><td colspan="2">Date (To)</td><td>Time</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Sun</td><td>27-Sep-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>1st ODI</td><td>Trivandrum</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Wed</td><td>30-Sep-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>2nd ODI</td><td>Guwahati</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Sat</td><td>03-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>3rd ODI</td><td>New Chandigarh</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Tue</td><td>06-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>1st T20I</td><td>Lucknow</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Fri</td><td>09-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>2nd T20I</td><td>Ranchi</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Sun</td><td>11-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>3rd T20I</td><td>Indore</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Wed</td><td>14-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>4th T20I</td><td>Hyderabad</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Sat</td><td>17-Oct-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>5th T20I</td><td>Bengaluru</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="8">SRI LANKA TOUR OF INDIA</td></tr><tr><td>No.</td><td colspan="2">Date (From)</td><td colspan="2">Date (To)</td><td>Time</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Sun</td><td>13-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>1st ODI</td><td>Delhi</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Wed</td><td>16-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>2nd ODI</td><td>Bengaluru</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Sat</td><td>19-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>3rd ODI</td><td>Ahmedabad</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Tue</td><td>22-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>1st T20I</td><td>Rajkot</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Thu</td><td>24-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>2nd T20I</td><td>Cuttack</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Sun</td><td>27-Dec-26</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>7:00 PM</td><td>3rd T20I</td><td>Pune</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="8">ZIMBABWE TOUR OF INDIA</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;No.</td><td colspan="2">Date (From)</td><td colspan="2">Date (To)</td><td>Time</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Sun</td><td>03-Jan-27</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>1st ODI</td><td>Kolkata</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Wed</td><td>06-Jan-27</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>2nd ODI</td><td>Hyderabad</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Sat</td><td>09-Jan-27</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>2:00 PM</td><td>3rd ODI</td><td>Mumbai</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="8">AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA</td></tr><tr><td>No.</td><td colspan="2">Date (From)</td><td colspan="2">Date (To)</td><td>Time</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Thu</td><td>21-Jan-27</td><td>Mon</td><td>25-Jan-27</td><td>9:30 AM</td><td>1st Test</td><td>Nagpur</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Fri</td><td>29-Jan-27</td><td>Tue</td><td>02-Feb-27</td><td>9:30 AM</td><td>2nd Test</td><td>Chennai</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Thu</td><td>11-Feb-27</td><td>Mon</td><td>15-Feb-27</td><td>9:00 AM</td><td>3rd Test</td><td>Guwahati</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Fri</td><td>19-Feb-27</td><td>Tue</td><td>23-Feb-27</td><td>9:30 AM</td><td>4th Test</td><td>Ranchi</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Sat</td><td>27-Feb-27</td><td>Wed</td><td>03-Mar-27</td><td>9:30 AM</td><td>5th Test</td><td>Ahmedabad</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

India will play 22 matches at home during the men’s home season in 2026-27 with visits from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday (Mar 26) revealed the Indian men’s team's schedule for the 2026-27 season, featuring a bumper home action. India will play 22 matches at home during the men’s home season with visits from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia. The highlight reel of the season will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts on 21 Jan 2027, and will have bearings on the qualification of the World Test Championship (WTC). BCCI reveals schedule for 2026-27 season “The upcoming home season promises an exciting and action-packed calendar, featuring four visiting teams — West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia — in a multi-format schedule. The season will comprise 22 international matches in 17 cities, offering fans across the country the opportunity to witness top-quality international cricket,” the BCCI said in its release. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions “The season will commence with the West Indies tour of India, starting on September 27, 2026. The tour will feature a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. The ODIs will be played in Trivandrum, Guwahati and New Chandigarh, before the action shifts to the T20Is, which will be hosted across Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” the release added. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Indian men's team home schedule for 2026-27 season WEST INDIES TOUR OF INDIA No. Date (From) Date (To) Time Match Venue 1 Sun 27-Sep-26 2:00 PM 1st ODI Trivandrum 2 Wed 30-Sep-26 2:00 PM 2nd ODI Guwahati 3 Sat 03-Oct-26 2:00 PM 3rd ODI New Chandigarh 4 Tue 06-Oct-26 7:00 PM 1st T20I Lucknow 5 Fri 09-Oct-26 7:00 PM 2nd T20I Ranchi 6 Sun 11-Oct-26 7:00 PM 3rd T20I Indore 7 Wed 14-Oct-26 7:00 PM 4th T20I Hyderabad 8 Sat 17-Oct-26 7:00 PM 5th T20I Bengaluru SRI LANKA TOUR OF INDIA No. Date (From) Date (To) Time Match Venue 1 Sun 13-Dec-26 2:00 PM 1st ODI Delhi 2 Wed 16-Dec-26 2:00 PM 2nd ODI Bengaluru 3 Sat 19-Dec-26 2:00 PM 3rd ODI Ahmedabad 4 Tue 22-Dec-26 7:00 PM 1st T20I Rajkot 5 Thu 24-Dec-26 7:00 PM 2nd T20I Cuttack 6 Sun 27-Dec-26 7:00 PM 3rd T20I Pune ZIMBABWE TOUR OF INDIA No. Date (From) Date (To) Time Match Venue 1 Sun 03-Jan-27 2:00 PM 1st ODI Kolkata 2 Wed 06-Jan-27 2:00 PM 2nd ODI Hyderabad 3 Sat 09-Jan-27 2:00 PM 3rd ODI Mumbai AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA No. Date (From) Date (To) Time Match Venue 1 Thu 21-Jan-27 Mon 25-Jan-27 9:30 AM 1st Test Nagpur 2 Fri 29-Jan-27 Tue 02-Feb-27 9:30 AM 2nd Test Chennai 3 Thu 11-Feb-27 Mon 15-Feb-27 9:00 AM 3rd Test Guwahati 4 Fri 19-Feb-27 Tue 23-Feb-27 9:30 AM 4th Test Ranchi 5 Sat 27-Feb-27 Wed 03-Mar-27 9:30 AM 5th Test Ahmedabad

India will play 22 matches at home during the men’s home season in 2026-27 with visits from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia.&nbsp;

BCCI reveals India's bumper home schedule for 2026-27 season, BGT to start on Jan 21

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has decided against organising an opening ceremony for IPL 2026 starting in two days as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the tragic June 4 stampede episode outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium last year. After RCB won their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings in an exciting final in Ahmedabad, grand celebrations took place at their cricket den in Bengaluru, only for it to turn tragic, as 11 fans lost their lives, including a 14-year-old.&nbsp;With RCB hosting SRH in the tournament opener at the very venue as part of continuing the tradition, the BCCI opted against staging the cultural and glitz show at the start of it.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/vijay-mallya-wishes-godspeed-to-rcb-new-owners-after-ipl-franchise-record-sale-aditya-birla-group-consortium-1-8-billion-inr-450-crore-2008-1774512696041">Vijay Mallya wishes ‘Godspeed’ to RCB’s new owners after IPL franchise’s record sale</a> &nbsp;A Times of India (TOI) report confirmed the development; however, there would definitely be a closing ceremony on the day of the finale this season, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia revealed.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4 last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organising any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on June 4, 2025.&nbsp; &nbsp;“However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31)," Saikia said in a chat with TOI. &nbsp;Last year, a massive IPL opening ceremony took place at the iconic Eden Gardens, the venue of the then-defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Several Bollywood A-listers performed, including KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Karan Aujla, and a dance performance by actress Disha Patani. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the last time the BCCI cancelled an IPL opening ceremony was during the 2019 edition, following the horrific Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of around 40 CRPF personnel earlier that year. The BCCI, then run by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), had cancelled the IPL 2019 opening ceremony, instead donating the allocated funds to the families of the victims.&nbsp; &nbsp;IPL 2026 gets underway on Saturday (Mar 28), with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting SunRisers Hyderabad in the marquee tournament opener at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium.&nbsp;

BCCI cancels the IPL 2026 opening ceremony as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic June 4 stampede. As defending champions, RCB prepare to host SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Secretary Devajit Saikia confirms a solemn start to the season with a grand finale planned for May 31.

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has decided against organising an opening ceremony for IPL 2026 starting in two days as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the tragic June 4 stampede episode outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium last year. After RCB won their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings in an exciting final in Ahmedabad, grand celebrations took place at their cricket den in Bengaluru, only for it to turn tragic, as 11 fans lost their lives, including a 14-year-old. With RCB hosting SRH in the tournament opener at the very venue as part of continuing the tradition, the BCCI opted against staging the cultural and glitz show at the start of it. Also read | Vijay Mallya wishes ‘Godspeed’ to RCB’s new owners after IPL franchise’s record sale A Times of India (TOI) report confirmed the development; however, there would definitely be a closing ceremony on the day of the finale this season, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia revealed. "Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4 last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organising any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on June 4, 2025. “However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31)," Saikia said in a chat with TOI. Last year, a massive IPL opening ceremony took place at the iconic Eden Gardens, the venue of the then-defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Several Bollywood A-listers performed, including KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Karan Aujla, and a dance performance by actress Disha Patani. Meanwhile, the last time the BCCI cancelled an IPL opening ceremony was during the 2019 edition, following the horrific Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of around 40 CRPF personnel earlier that year. The BCCI, then run by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), had cancelled the IPL 2019 opening ceremony, instead donating the allocated funds to the families of the victims. IPL 2026 gets underway on Saturday (Mar 28), with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting SunRisers Hyderabad in the marquee tournament opener at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

BCCI cancels the IPL 2026 opening ceremony as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic June 4 stampede. As defending champions, RCB prepare to host SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Secretary Devajit Saikia confirms a solemn start to the season with a grand finale planned for May 31.

No Glitz at IPL 2026: BCCI cancels opening ceremony to honour June 4 stampede victims

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No Glitz at IPL 2026: BCCI cancels opening ceremony to honour stampede victims