IPL 2026: Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru Set to Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Opening Match

The 19th edition of theIndian Premier League (IPL) 2026is set to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Ahead of the tournament, several players will be unavailable during the initial phase due to injuries and other commitments. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana will miss the entire season after undergoing knee surgery. He sustained the injury during a warm-up game for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa, which also ruled him out of the World Cup. Mohammed Siraj was named as his replacement. In IPL 2026, several members of the Australian contingent, including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, are expected to miss the initial phase of the tournament. Meanwhile, players such as Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, and Jack Edwards will miss the entire tournament.