The wait is almost over. IPL 2026 is just three days away and the excitement across India is at its peak. The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League officially kicks off on March 28, 2026, with a blockbuster opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Defending champions, home crowd, a packed Chinnaswamy Stadium — this is exactly how a new season should begin.
Before we get into the action, there is a lot happening around the tournament already. From injury shocks hitting multiple squads to Virat Kohli going viral before a single ball is bowled, IPL 2026 is already generating the kind of noise that only this competition can produce. Here is everything you need to know as the season gets underway.
RCB vs SRH: The Opening Night Cricket Fans Have Been Waiting For
The first match of IPL 2026 will be played on March 28 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, starting at 7:30 PM IST. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will step out as defending champions for the very first time in their history. After years of heartbreak, they finally lifted the trophy last season and now they get to begin the title defence on home soil. If you want to watch this live online, touchcric live is one of the most popular free streaming options fans use to follow IPL matches in real time.
This is the seventh time RCB will be playing the opening match of an IPL season but the first as champions. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, it is their second IPL opener. The last time these two sides faced each other in a season opener was back in 2017, when SRH were the defending champions and RCB were the runners-up. History has a funny way of repeating itself in cricket.
The return to Chinnaswamy itself carries emotional weight. The stadium was under uncertainty following the tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations last June, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives. After security inspections and clearances from the Karnataka government, the stadium has been approved to host matches again. RCB have confirmed that 11 seats will remain reserved and a memorial plaque will be placed to honour the victims. Cricket fans across Pakistan following PSL 2026 alongside this tournament will also have a packed season of cricket to enjoy through both competitions running in a similar window.
On the pitch, the contest looks genuinely exciting. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli are expected to open for RCB, bringing two aggressive top-order batters who can dismantle any bowling attack in the powerplay. Rajat Patidar continues as captain and will be crucial in the middle order. For SRH, Ishan Kishan leads a new-look batting unit that includes Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Liam Livingstone. That is possibly one of the most dangerous lineups across all ten teams this season. Expect a high-scoring game as the Chinnaswamy pitch is flat and short on boundaries, where 180 is a standard total and anything above 200 is what both sides will target.
Weather could be a factor though. There is a 60 percent chance of rain on match night which may delay proceedings. Fans heading to the stadium should plan accordingly.
Injury Wave Hits Multiple Teams Before Season Even Starts
While fans are gearing up for the cricket, several franchises are already managing squad problems heading into the tournament.
Chennai Super Kings are among the worst hit. Pace bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season after suffering a hamstring injury. CSK quickly moved to bring in Australian pacer Spencer Johnson as a replacement at a base price of Rs 1.5 crore. However, Johnson himself is managing a back injury and is not expected to join the team before April 21-23, meaning CSK will be without both Ellis and Johnson for at least the first four matches. That is a significant gap in their bowling department.
Rajasthan Royals are dealing with their own setback. Sam Curran has been ruled out and RR are in the process of signing Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement. Shanaka brings lower-order hitting alongside genuine bowling ability, so he could prove a useful addition once the deal is confirmed.
Kolkata Knight Riders have not been spared either. Pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out due to injury and replaced by Saurabh Dubey. KKR will need their remaining pace options to step up in the early rounds of the tournament.
These pre-season setbacks are not unusual in T20 cricket but the timing creates real problems for franchises that built their strategies around specific overseas players.
| Team | Player Out | Player In | Reason |
| CSK | Nathan Ellis | Spencer Johnson | Hamstring injury |
| RR | Sam Curran | Dasun Shanaka | Injury |
| KKR | Akash Deep | Saurabh Dubey | Injury |
Virat Kohli Goes Viral Before IPL Even Starts
Off the field, Virat Kohli grabbed headlines even before facing a single delivery this season. Reports circulated claiming Kohli had demanded chartered flights between India and London as a special arrangement during IPL 2026. Kohli had zero time for the story. He reposted it on his Instagram with just two laughing emojis and no words. That reaction alone was enough to go viral, with fans across social media backing him instantly.
The whole episode is a reminder of how closely every move of a player like Kohli gets watched. Whether on the pitch or off it, the attention never really stops.
Meanwhile, CSK launched their Roar 2026 event which featured a Hall of Fame announcement for Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden, two absolute legends of the franchise. The event got a warm response from fans across the country. On the other side, RCB ticket prices sparked debate online with some supporters raising concerns about affordability for the season opener.
IPL 2026 Opening Fixtures
| Match | Teams | Date | Venue |
| Match 1 | RCB vs SRH | March 28 | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru |
| Match 2 | MI vs KKR | March 29 | Wankhede, Mumbai |
| First Double Header | Multiple | April 4-5 | Various |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 starts on March 28, 2026, with the opening match between RCB and SRH at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Who is playing in the IPL 2026 opener?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending IPL champions, will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first match of the season.
What time does the RCB vs SRH match start?
The match starts at 7:30 PM IST on March 28, 2026.
Which players are injured ahead of IPL 2026?
Nathan Ellis (CSK), Sam Curran (RR), and Akash Deep (KKR) have all been ruled out with injuries. Replacements have been confirmed or are being finalised for each squad.
Who is captaining SRH in the opener?
With Pat Cummins unavailable, Ishan Kishan is expected to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad against RCB on March 28.
Is Chinnaswamy Stadium cleared to host IPL 2026?
Yes. Following security inspections after the 2025 stampede tragedy, the Karnataka government has cleared M Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL 2026 matches.
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