The two five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will face-off twice in the second phase of IPL 2026, which begins from April 13. While SRH and RR commence this phase in Hyderabad, the two IPL heavyweights CSK and MI will clash on April 23 in Mumbai and on May 2 in Chennai.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, meanwhile, will not make a trip to Chennai. The two sides will play the marquee clash only once in this year's tournament - at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on April 5. The defending champions will take on MI and KKR in their two games in Raipur on May 10 and May 13 respectively.
The picturesque venue in Dharamsala will welcome a few big India stalwarts as Punjab Kings take on DC, MI and RCB on May 11, May 14 and May 17 (afternoon fixture) respectively. The league stage ends with the last of the eight double headers of this phase - MI vs RR in Mumbai and KKR vs DC in Kolkata - on May 24.
SRH, DC, PBKS and LSG will all play three afternoon fixtures each while the remaining six - CSK, MI, RCB, GT, KKR, RR - play two each.
Teams are split into two virtual groups of five this year, although there is only one table. Sides will play the other four franchises in their group once plus the five sides in the other group twice for a total of 14 group games.
@B0$: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings.
@B1$: Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants.
