IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals to Launch Second Phase, CSK to Duel MI Twice
Synopsis
The IPL 2026 season is set to resume with an exciting match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on April 13. This marks the beginning of the second phase of the tournament, featuring thrilling matchups including CSK taking on MI twice.
Key Takeaways
The second phase of IPL 2026 starts on April 13.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals to kick off the phase.
50 matches are scheduled from April 13 to May 24.
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will compete against each other twice.
The final group match will be held on May 24 at Eden Gardens.
New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Thursday that the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on April 13 will mark the beginning of the second phase of the 2026 IPL season. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that the sites for the playoffs will be revealed at a later date.
Previously, the BCCI had released the schedule for the initial 20 matches of IPL 2026, considering the elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Following the approval of dates and timelines by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BCCI has now unveiled the schedule for the second phase, featuring 50 matches across 12 venues from April 13 to May 24.
The league will resume with SRH, the champions of 2016, facing off against the inaugural champions RR at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 13. Matches during this phase will take place in cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur, and New Chandigarh.
The schedule includes eight double-headers, with afternoon matches starting at 3:30 p.m. IST and evening games at 7:30 p.m. Punjab Kings will distribute their home matches between PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh and HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, where three games will take place.
Rajasthan Royals will conduct their remaining four matches at their main home ground – the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Meanwhile, the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host three games in Bengaluru before playing their other two home matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
In the second phase, the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will clash twice. Their first encounter is scheduled for April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, followed by a match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 2.
Last year, an evening match between DC and PBKS was interrupted in Dharamsala due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. This year, the same matchup will occur on May 11 at the HPCA Stadium. The final group stage match is set to take place between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals on May 24 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The first leg will commence with a match featuring the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) going up against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.
Point of View
Cricket fans can anticipate thrilling matches and strategic showdowns. With prominent teams like CSK and MI set to clash multiple times, the excitement is palpable. The BCCI's careful planning amidst elections showcases its commitment to delivering a seamless sporting experience.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the second phase of IPL 2026 start?
The second phase of IPL 2026 begins on April 13 with the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
Where will the IPL 2026 playoffs be held?
The venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs will be announced later by the BCCI.
How many matches will be played in the second phase?
A total of 50 matches will be played across 12 venues from April 13 to May 24.
Which teams will face each other twice in the second phase?
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will meet twice during the second phase of IPL 2026.
What is the significance of the match on May 11?
On May 11, the HPCA Stadium will host a rematch of the DC-PBKS clash that was previously interrupted last year.
