Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings insulted as RCB’s IPL 2026 opening match revealed
Published - 11 Mar 2026, 10:42 AM | Updated - 11 Mar 2026, 10:46 AM
The highly anticipated 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is officially set to commence on March 28. However, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by Rajat Patidar, are unlikely to face last season’s finalists, Punjab Kings (PBKS), in the opening match of the marquee event.
The league is reportedly planning a high-profile curtain-raiser to maximize pure box-office pull. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the dates and fixtures in two phases. Devajit Saikia said that the board will announce the schedule keeping elections in Assam, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu in mind.
RCB Likely to Face CSK in IPL 2026 Opening Match; Punjab Kings to Face…
According to a recent report by Cricbuzz, the defending champions will most likely take on the five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28, in IPL 2026 opener.
Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings came close to lifting the prestigious IPL trophy last season but fell short in the final. Despite their spectacular performance, they will completely miss out on the ultimate spotlight of the highly anticipated opening night.
The runners-up will begin their campaign the next day. They are expected to face the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) at their home ground in Mullanpur.
RCB vs CSK Likely To Headline IPL 2026 Opening Blockbuster
Traditionally, the league starts with a match involving the defending champions. According to Brand Finance and Duff & Phelps, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are currently considered among the top marquee sides.
Two massive fan bases together instantly guarantee maximum attention across television and digital platforms. For the Chennai Super Kings, this opening blockbuster presents a massive opportunity to bounce back strongly.
The franchise endured a disappointing campaign last year. They finished at the bottom of the points table for the very first time. The Chennai-based team managed just four wins and suffered ten humiliating defeats during the previous season.
BCCI Begins Official Preparations for IPL 2026 Season
Off the field, official preparations for the new season are already underway. The BCCI has firmly informed all franchises that the traditional captains' photoshoot will be held in New Delhi on March 15.
Following that, the annual pre-season meeting involving captains and coaches is scheduled for March 25 in Mumbai. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait a little longer for the complete tournament fixtures.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently confirmed that the initial schedule will be released in phases due to upcoming assembly elections across several states. The official dates for the first 20 days will most likely be announced on March 12.
“We will announce the first 20-day schedule of IPL in two or three days after considering the election dates in a few states, and the rest of the tournament schedule will be announced later.”
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
