IPL 2026 to begin from March 26; Cameron Green Becomes Costliest Overseas Player, Bags ₹25.20 Cr Deal

Mumbai, Dec 16: The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held from March 26 to May 31, but uncertainty remains over whether defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host matches at their home venue, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, following a deadly stampede earlier this year.

As per tradition, the IPL opener is usually staged at the home ground of the previous season’s champions. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to take a final call on Bengaluru hosting the opening match until the full schedule is released.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed chaos in June when RCB’s IPL 2025 title celebrations triggered a stampede that left 11 people dead, forcing authorities to suspend major cricket events at the venue. Although the Karnataka government has granted conditional clearance, the stadium must still meet enhanced safety and security norms.

The RCB franchise faced sharp criticism for encouraging large public celebrations without adequate administrative clearances. Following the incident, Bengaluru also lost the hosting rights for Women’s World Cup matches earlier this year due to security and administrative concerns.

“Every year, the IPL opening match traditionally takes place at the home ground of the team that won the trophy in the previous season,” newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad said in Mysuru. “There was uncertainty due to the stampede during RCB’s championship celebrations. I have discussed the issue with the BCCI, and they are deliberating on it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the IPL 2026 mini-auction is being held in Abu Dhabi, where three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders entered with the biggest purse.

The auction witnessed history as Australia all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history after being bought by KKR for a staggering ₹25.20 crore following an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings.

Green’s name, announced early in the auction, sparked immediate excitement, with Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians setting the initial pace. The bidding later narrowed to a high-stakes duel involving KKR, Rajasthan and eventually CSK, before Kolkata’s financial muscle prevailed.

With the hammer falling at ₹25.20 crore, Green eclipsed previous overseas auction records held by Mitchell Starc and Sam Curran, adding another headline moment ahead of IPL 2026. (Agencies)