IPL 2026: RCB look to regroup, CSK, KKR, MI hunt lost glory, RoKo look to mesmerise
BENGALURU: Besieged defending champions seeking to regroup after an unprecedented tragedy, decorated sides chasing lost glory, two stalwarts fighting for relevance and a clutch of hopefuls eager to impress, the 2026 IPL, starting Saturday, is poised to offer intriguing moments over the next two months.But an austere atmosphere surrounds the match, as the memory of 11 fans who lost their lives in the June 4 stampede outside the stadium during the team’s title celebration dominates the lead-up to the match.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association and RCB management have also taken steps to keep the unfortunate souls’ memory alive.
The KSCA announced leaving 11 permanent empty seats in the stadium, which itself had to go through a few uncertain months before the receiving necessary permissions from state government authorities to host the IPL While these are hugely appreciable measures, cricket on the ground often transcends such emotions and empathetic symbols.
It does not require any trained eyes to understand that both RCB and Sunrisers are thin on bowling resources after missing key players.
RCB will be without the metronomic Josh Hazlewood and left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. Both played significant roles in their triumphant campaign in 2025, but will be absent this year owing to various reasons.
Hazlewood is completing his rehabilitation process in Australia and might join the squad at a laterallegations, will sit out of the entire season.
They will have to rely heavily on veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, spinner Krunal Pandya, Suyash Sharma and left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav.
SRH will be without skipper Pat Cummins at least for the initial phase.can be challenged massively on flat tracks.MI managed to reach the playoffs as the fourth-placed team but it was evident that they were running on reserve gas, and they will certainly eye a campaign that befits the five-time winners tag this time.
KKR and CSK ended up at eighth and 10th respectively. They have rejigged the teams.In bowling, they have two trump cards in Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine but their pace department remains a concern.
Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans will be looking to add to one more trophy to their kitty, while Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Supergiants will hunt for their maiden title.
CSK imported Sanju Samson from RR and added Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad. They will certainly look for one last hurrah from ‘Old Lion’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has maintained the suspense over his IPL future.
Both teams will be hoping to paper over their bowling imperfections with batting fire power.
RCB boasts of Virat Kohli, Tim David, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, skipper Rajat Patidar, Romario Shepherd in their ranks, and SRH can answer them through Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Kishan and
Ishan Kishan has been named the stand-in captain. But their back-up options do not really inspire much confidence. Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey can be challenged massively on flat tracks.