IPL 2026 Begins Today: RCB vs SRH Lights Up the Biggest Cricket Carnival on Earth
IPL 2026 is officially here. The world’s biggest cricket tournament begins today, March 28, with RCB taking on SRH at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. One trophy. Ten teams. Seventy-four matches. Twelve venues. Two months of cricket that will have the entire world watching. Check the complete IPL 2026 schedule and fixtures to plan every match you cannot afford to miss.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | March 28, 2026 |
| Opening Match | RCB vs SRH |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Total Matches | 74 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Venues | 12 |
| Tournament End | May 31, 2026 |
| Defending Champions | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
RCB vs SRH: The Perfect Opening Act
Cricket could not have scripted a better opening fixture. RCB, the defending champions returning to their home fortress at Chinnaswamy with the trophy fresh in their cabinet, against SRH, the most explosively batting side in recent IPL history who posted 287 in a single innings last season.
Chinnaswamy’s short square boundaries, high altitude and electric atmosphere make it one of the most batter-friendly venues in world cricket. SRH’s power-hitting lineup absolutely loves these conditions. RCB know that better than anyone. The last time these two met in IPL 2026’s opening fixture, the match set the tone for the entire tournament.
This is not just a cricket match. It is a statement game. RCB want to say they are here to defend. SRH want to say last season’s batting records were just the beginning.
The 10 Teams Fighting for One Trophy
Every franchise comes into IPL 2026 believing this could be their year. Here is where each team stands heading into the tournament.
| Team | IPL 2026 Key Factor | Title Odds |
|---|---|---|
| RCB | Defending champions, home opener vs SRH | Strong favourites |
| MI | Bumrah confirmed fit, five-time champions | Dangerous |
| CSK | Experience and depth, Dhoni factor remains | Always in contention |
| KKR | 2024 champions, strong squad retained | Genuine contenders |
| RR | Jofra Archer confirmed, 2025 runners-up | Dark horses |
| PBKS | 2025 runners-up, in-form squad | Looking to go one better |
| SRH | Explosive batting, 287 in one innings last season | Unpredictable threat |
| GT | Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharshan both firing | Built for the long run |
| DC | Rebuilding with young talent, hungry | Wildcard |
| LSG | Improving each season, consistent | Playoff hopefuls |
What Makes IPL 2026 Different From Any Previous Season
This is not just another IPL. Several factors make the 2026 edition genuinely special.
- RCB defending their first ever title adds a storyline the IPL has never had before. A franchise ending 18 years of hurt and then trying to build a dynasty is compelling television regardless of the cricket
- Both the 2024 champion KKR and 2025 champion RCB are in the same tournament, meaning two title holders from back-to-back years are competing directly
- Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah both confirmed fit means the two best pace bowlers in world cricket are in the same tournament playing for different sides
- PBKS and RR both came agonisingly close in 2025 and 2022 respectively and carry the motivation of near misses
- SRH’s batting unit which broke multiple records last season is intact and hungry for a title to match their stats
Browse all the IPL 2026 team squads and player details to see exactly how every franchise has assembled their playing group for this season.
12 Venues Across India
IPL 2026 spreads its 74 matches across 12 different venues, giving cricket fans from every corner of India their home tournament experience.
| Venue | City | Team Association |
|---|---|---|
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | RCB |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | MI |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | KKR |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | CSK |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | GT |
| Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | Hyderabad | SRH |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | RR |
| PCA Stadium | New Chandigarh | PBKS |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | DC |
| BRSABV Ekana Stadium | Lucknow | LSG |
| Plus 2 additional neutral venues | Various | Rotating fixtures |
Twelve venues means twelve different pitch characters, boundary sizes and crowd atmospheres. A team that can adapt across formats, from the small Chinnaswamy boundaries to the larger Wankhede outfield, from Hyderabad’s batting-friendly surface to Chennai’s spin tracks, will have the best chance of going all the way. Follow all the latest IPL 2026 updates and news as the tournament unfolds across the country.
The Players to Watch in IPL 2026
Ten teams means ten sets of match-winners. These are the individual storylines that will define the next two months.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Can he win back-to-back Orange Caps and lead RCB to a title defence?
- Jasprit Bumrah (MI): Fit and confirmed. Purple Cap favourite and MI’s biggest weapon
- Jofra Archer (RR): Back at his original franchise after injury. Can he finally win an IPL title?
- Travis Head (SRH): The most explosive opener in T20 cricket coming off a brilliant 2024 season
- Sai Sudharshan (GT): Defending Orange Cap holder, the quiet destroyer who nobody stops once he gets going
- Shreyas Iyer (KKR): The captain who led KKR to their 2024 title, same task again in 2026
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): One of the most exciting young batters in world cricket entering his prime years
How to Watch IPL 2026 Live
Every match of IPL 2026 is available across multiple platforms. Star Sports carries the Hindi commentary with legends like Navjot Singh Sidhu, Gavaskar, Kaif and more. JioHotstar has their dedicated Championswaali Commentary stream with Raina, Harbhajan, Ashwin and Sehwag. The English panel on both platforms features Ravi Shastri, Harsha Bhogle, AB de Villiers, Ian Bishop and Graeme Swann among others.
For the complete breakdown of where to watch every match live on TV and online, the IPL 2026 live streaming guide has everything you need in one place.
Track Every Match as the Season Unfolds
74 matches across 12 venues over two months means the points table shifts almost every single day. Some teams will start slow and peak in the playoffs. Others will burn bright early and fade. The team that handles the schedule, the travel, the pressure and the knockout moments best will lift the trophy on May 31.
Keep live track of where every team sits throughout the season on the IPL 2026 live points table updated after every match.
FAQs
When does IPL 2026 start and which teams are playing?
IPL 2026 starts on March 28, 2026 with RCB vs SRH at Chinnaswamy Stadium. All 10 teams, RCB, MI, CSK, KKR, RR, PBKS, SRH, GT, DC and LSG are participating across 74 matches until May 31.
Who are the defending champions in IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending IPL 2026 champions after winning their maiden title in the 2025 final against Punjab Kings by 6 runs.
How many matches are in IPL 2026?
IPL 2026 features 74 matches played across 12 venues in India from March 28 to May 31, 2026.
Which venue is hosting the IPL 2026 opening match?
The IPL 2026 opening match between RCB and SRH is being held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, RCB’s home ground.
Where can I watch IPL 2026 live today?
IPL 2026 is live on Star Sports for TV viewers and on JioHotstar for streaming. Full details of all platforms and language options are on the IPL 2026 live streaming guide.
Who are the favourites to win IPL 2026?
RCB as defending champions, MI with Bumrah fit, KKR as 2024 champions and RR with Archer confirmed are all genuine title contenders. The tournament is wide open with at least five teams capable of going all the way.
