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The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only the first 20 matches has been released due to the state elections.
The tournament-opening match is scheduled to be played between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Ahead of the tournament, legendary Team India spinner Anil Kumble stated that it would be difficult for RCB to win back-to-back titles.
“It`s not going to be easy for Rajat Patidar`s RCB to win back-to-back titles. Only CSK and MI have managed to win trophies on a continuous basis before,” he said.
He also heaped praise on Rajat Patidar, under whom the Bengaluru-based franchise scripted history by winning their first title in the cash-rich league. The former cricketer also said that the task will be challenging for the skipper as there will be high expectations.
“I think Rajat Patidar has done well as captain in his first season. When he was announced as skipper, many of us were surprised because everyone expected Virat to handle the duties again. But the team management decided to go with Patidar, and it paid off. He only had experience of captaining Madhya Pradesh and did well in domestic cricket. He was identified as the skipper, and with the experience he had, he led really well,” said Kumble.
“Now it will be challenging because expectations will be high. But he looks very composed and calm under pressure. That is his USP. That should work for him,” he added.
IPL 2026: Update on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Earlier this month, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary, Santosh Menon, confirmed that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of the RCB`s IPL 2026 home games. The venue will also host one of the play-off matches and the title clash of the tournament.
Bengaluru`s remaining two home matches will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Cricket at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been suspended since June last year. Following RCB`s triumph, fans gathered in huge numbers outside the stadium. During the celebrations, 11 people lost their lives, and several were left injured in a stampede.
(With ANI Inputs)
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