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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener will not feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locking horns with last edition’s finalists Punjab Kings (PBKS). The two finalists are likely to face other teams in their campaign opener in first two days of the IPL 2026.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, the RCB are highly likely to take on five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the curtain-raiser on March 28. The report further added that CSK, RCB, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are considered the top four marquee sides. RCB have a huge fan base and they ended their title drought in the previous edition.
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While RCB will take on CSK, Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings are likely to take on Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans (GT) in their campaign opener at home on March 29.
It is to be noted that CSK failed to make it to playoffs last season. For the first time in IPL history, they finished at the bottom of the points table with 10 losses from 14 games. On the other side, GT were knocked out by MI in the eliminator clash.
Annual meeting days ahead of IPL 2026 opener
The report further added that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed all franchises that the annual meeting is scheduled to take place on March 25. The meeting will feature captains and coaches. The agenda of the meeting includes a few changes for the upcoming season will be discussed as well. The captains' photoshoot will be held on March 15 in New Delhi.
Meanwhile the schedule of the tournament is yet to be announced. BCCI secretary on March 10 said that the schedule will be announced in stages due to elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
"We will announce the first 20-day schedule of IPL in 2 or 3 days after considering the election dates in a few states and will announce the rest of the tournament schedule later," Saikia was quoted as saying by ANI.
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