Dhoni’s CSK to face Kohli’s RCB in IPL 2026 opener:PBKS to challenge GT on March 29 in Mullanpur; captains’ photoshoot in Delhi

The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League is set to begin with an exciting start, but the opening match will not feature the finalists from the previous edition. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and runners-up Punjab Kings from the 2025 season will play their first matches separately during the first two days of the tournament. The 19th season of the IPL is scheduled to begin on March 28 in Bengaluru. While the official opening match lineup has not been fully confirmed yet, reports suggest that RCB might face the popular Chennai Super Kings in the curtain-raiser. The IPL traditionally starts with a high-profile match to attract fans around the world. Most of the time, the defending champions are involved in the opening game to create early excitement for the tournament. RCB vs CSK likely to be opening clash According to industry reports and brand valuation studies by Brand Finance and Duff Phelps, four teams stand out as the most valuable and popular franchises in the league. These include Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Because of their massive fan base and strong brand value, these teams are often selected for key matches such as tournament openers or finals. This is why an RCB vs CSK clash is being considered a strong possibility for the first match of the season. Such a match would attract huge viewership and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Punjab Kings to face Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur on March 29 Meanwhile, the runners-up of the previous season, Punjab Kings, will start their campaign against the Gujarat Titans. The match is expected to take place on March 29 at Punjab Kings’ home ground in Mullanpur. This will be an important game for PBKS as they look to begin their new campaign strongly after finishing as runners-up last year. Captains coaches meet in Mumbai on March 25 Ahead of the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has planned several key meetings and promotional activities. The board has informed all franchises that the annual meeting with team captains and coaches will take place in Mumbai on March 25. This meeting is an important part of IPL preparations. During the session, officials usually discuss new rules, playing conditions, and other important updates for the upcoming season. The BCCI has said that the agenda for the meeting will be shared later. Captains’ photoshoot scheduled in New Delhi on March 15 Before the season begins, the IPL captains will also take part in the traditional captains’ photoshoot, which has become a regular feature before every IPL season. This event will be held in New Delhi on March 15. The photoshoot brings together all team captains in one place and helps promote the upcoming season across media and digital platforms. With the tournament set to begin soon, fans across the world are eagerly waiting for another thrilling season of the IPL filled with big matches, star players, and unforgettable moments.