When will the Indian Premier League 2026 start?

The Indian Premier League 2026 is expected to begin on March 28, 2026.

How many teams are competing in Indian Premier League 2026?

IPL 2026 will feature 10 teams, continuing the format that has been in place since the league expanded in 2022.

Who are the captains of all teams in IPL 2026?

The captaincy line-ups are expected to remain mostly similar to recent seasons, though some changes are always possible before the tournament begins. Chennai Super Kings are likely to be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Mumbai Indians are expected to have Hardik Pandya as captain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue with Rajat Patidar, and Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to be led by Ajinkya Rahane. Delhi Capitals could have Axar Patel, while Rajasthan Royals are expected to continue with Riyan Parag. Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to be captained by Pat Cummins, and Punjab Kings by Shreyas Iyer. Lucknow Super Giants may have Rishabh Pant, while Gujarat Titans are expected to be led by Shubman Gill.

Where will Royal Challengers Bengaluru play their home matches?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play their home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Which stadium will host the opening match of IPL 2026?

The opening match will be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad.

How many matches will each team play in the league stage?

Each team will play 14 league matches, as per the standard IPL format (home and away system).

Where will the IPL 2026 final be played?

The IPL 2026 final is expected to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 31 May 2026.

Which teams are favourites to win IPL 2026?

Since the tournament hasn’t started yet, favourites are based on current strength and recent results. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (defending champions), Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans are considered strong contenders.

5 players who can make a strong comeback in Indian Premier League 2026

IPL 2026 is set to begin in a few days, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The special league has played a major role in the growth of franchise cricket worldwide and in the development of Indian cricket. It has helped create star players, discover new talent, and turn domestic cricketers into well-known names.

However, some star players miss certain IPL seasons due to injuries or poor form. Every team in the league has players who will aim to perform well and make an impact in their roles.

Some players will look to make a strong comeback this season. These include Prithvi Shaw, who was picked by Delhi Capitals late in the auction, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who missed the second half of last season due to injury, and Shubman Gill, who will aim to return to India’s T20I team.

With that in mind, here is a list of five players who could make a strong comeback in IPL 2026.

Also read -IPL 2026: Top 3 Players with the Most Fours in the IPL

Prithvi Shaw

returns to Delhi Capitals, a team where he has enjoyed success in the past

Prithvi Shaw, once seen as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, is a player who can make a strong comeback in IPL 2026. He returns to Delhi Capitals, a team where he has enjoyed success in the past, including strong opening partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner. After a good domestic season following his move to Maharashtra, Shaw will now focus on performing well in the IPL and rebuilding his career. He has played 79 matches for Delhi Capitals and scored 1892 runs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is another player who can make a strong comeback this season. He missed the second half of the previous IPL due to injury. Gaikwad has been part of the Indian team setup and will look to return in form. He will also have the support of experienced players like Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni in leadership matters.

Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan’s career has gone through many phases. He started as a promising uncapped player with RCB, learning under Chris Gayle, but could not fully deliver on his early promise. Later, he performed consistently in domestic cricket and earned a place in India’s Test team. However, he is currently out of contention. Sarfaraz went unsold last season but was picked by Chennai Super Kings in this year’s auction. The Chepauk pitch could suit his style of play, especially against spin. His creative batting makes him a useful T20 player, and he will aim to perform well and move closer to a return to the national team.

Shubman Gill

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will see IPL 2026 as a chance to return to the T20I side. This makes him another strong candidate for a comeback this season. Gill has played 118 IPL matches and scored 3866 runs. He will aim to deliver consistent performances and strengthen his place in the shorter format.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is another player who can make a strong comeback in IPL 2026. The experienced spinner is currently out of the Indian team but remains one of the best bowlers in the league. He is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 221 wickets in 174 matches. Chahal will look to use this season to prove his form and push for a return to international cricket.