TATA IPL 2026

Yash Dayal was a fundamental part of RCB’s maiden trophy win in 2025, where his ability to swing the ball early and maintain composure at the death made him a mainstay in the XI.

This Match 2 encounter sees a revamped KKR side, led by Mumbai local Ajinkya Rahane, attempting to overcome a historically poor record at this venue against Hardik Pandya’s star-studded outfit.

The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) reaches its first weekend as the rebranded Multan Sultans prepare to face three-time champions Islamabad United.

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commences today, 28 March 2026, as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With Match 2 of the tournament set to begin in the evening, cricket fans and players alike are preparing for the signature heat and humidity of the Maharashtra coast.

A statement from RCB said, "Royal Challengers Bengaluru will pay tribute to the eleven members of the RCB family who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident on June 4."

Royal Challengers Bengaluru announce a series of poignant tributes, including reserving 11 permanent empty seats at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, to honour the victims of a tragic stampede during their IPL 2025 victory celebrations, ahead of the IPL 2026 opener.

The encounter, held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, marks the debut of the Rawalpindi franchise following their acquisition and relocation from Multan earlier this year.

MS Dhoni will miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 due to a calf strain, as confirmed by CSK. Newly traded Sanju Samson is set to take over wicketkeeping duties for the season opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Despite the injury, Dhoni showed strong form in recent practice matches at Chepauk as CSK aims for a record sixth title.

Google's latest Doodle marks the start of IPL 2026, featuring an interactive cricket animation. The 19th edition kicks off with defending champions RCB facing SRH. Users can click the artwork for live scores and AI-powered stats. The 74-match tournament spans 13 cities, concluding with the final in Bengaluru on May 31.

Both franchises enter the 19th edition of the IPL under revised leadership. Rajat Patidar, who steered RCB to their 2025 triumph, continues as captain. In contrast, Sunrisers Hyderabad have appointed Ishan Kishan as interim captain, with Abhishek Sharma as his deputy, as regular skipper Pat Cummins continues to rehabilitate a back injury.

This second fixture of the 11th edition marks a significant debut for David Warner as the Karachi captain, while Quetta, led by Saud Shakeel, look to go one step further after finishing as runners-up in the 2025 season.