IPL 2026 schedule: Virat Kohli tasted success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League, edging out Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In IPL 2026, RCB will begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on Saturday, March 28. Check out RCB’s full IPL 2026 schedule for the first phase of the tournament, including key clashes against five-time winners Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
Near-perfect Royal Challengers Bengaluru seemingly start as favourites yet again
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained almost all of the core – those who played a pivotal part in their title win – namely Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Krunal Pandya, Yash Dayal, Tim David, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Nuwan Thushara, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh and Abhinandan Singh.
But given the level of competition, will they start as favourites again? Only Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have successfully defended their trophy in IPL history. Nevertheless, Bengaluru have purchased some good players after retaining their core that won them the trophy in 2025. Bengaluru’s most expensive buy of the auction was Venkatesh Iyer, who fetched ₹7.00 crore. The other players purchased by them were Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Jordan Cox, Satwik Deswal, Kanishk Chauhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 fixtures
| Date | Day | Match | Venue |
| 28th March | Saturday | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru |
| April 5 | Sunday | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru |
| April 10 | Friday | RR vs RCB | Guwahati |
| April 12 | Sunday | MI vs RCB | Mumbai |
RCB squad
Rajat Patidar(C), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Swapnil Singh, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Jordan Cox, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Tushara, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Yash Dayal.
Their opening fixture against the SunRisers at the Chinnaswamy Stadium could be a high-scoring clash, given the short boundaries and bona fide six-hitters in both sides.
