IPL, PSL set to clash again

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is expected to take place from March 26 to May 31, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially confirm the schedule or announce the dates.

The report noted that the 19th season of the tournament is likely to start roughly three weeks after the T20 World Cup, scheduled from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka, with the league wrapping up toward the end of May.

If the proposed window holds, the IPL will clash with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the second year in a row, as the PSL is slated to run from March 26 to May 3.

Despite the absence of an official schedule, IPL preparations are well underway, with franchises set to participate in the player auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. A total of 369 players have been shortlisted, competing for 77 available slots, including 31 designated for overseas cricketers.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the most openings, with 13 spots to fill, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad with ten. KKR also possess the largest remaining budget at INR 64.30 crore (approximately USD 7.1 million), while Chennai Super Kings have the second-highest purse at INR 43.40 crore (around USD 4.8 million).

The IPL 2025 season had a similar timeframe, initially scheduled from March 22 to May 25, but was temporarily halted on May 9 due to rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The tournament resumed on May 15 and concluded on June 3.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went on to lift the trophy, securing a six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final in Ahmedabad to claim their maiden title. However, celebrations in Bengaluru turned tragic, as stampede-like incidents outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium led to 11 fatalities. A subsequent investigation later deemed the venue unfit for hosting major events.