The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the much-anticipated schedule for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, setting the stage for an intense and decisive stretch of the tournament. With 50 league matches still to be played, the league stage will resume on April 13 and run until May 24, 2026, promising a thrilling battle for playoff spots.

Second phase resumes with a blockbuster clash

The second phase will kick off with an exciting encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad. This fixture is expected to set the tone for what lies ahead, as teams return with renewed focus and urgency. With the league entering its business end, every match will carry significant weight. Teams currently hovering around the mid-table will look to build momentum, while frontrunners aim to solidify their positions in the top four.

Matches spread across 12 cities

To ensure widespread fan engagement, the BCCI has scheduled matches across 12 venues in India. The cities hosting the remaining league matches include Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamshala, Raipur, and New Chandigarh. This diverse venue lineup not only brings the action closer to fans across the country but also introduces varying pitch conditions and climates, adding another layer of complexity for teams as they strategize for crucial games.

The second phase will feature eight double-header days, giving fans the chance to enjoy back-to-back matches. These high-intensity days are expected to play a key role in shaping the points table, as teams could quickly rise or fall depending on their performances. The packed schedule will test squad depth, fitness levels, and tactical flexibility, especially for teams dealing with injuries or form concerns.

Also READ: Irfan Pathan flags ‘key concern’ in Arshdeep Singh’s bowling ahead of IPL 2026

Home advantage and venue adjustments

Several franchises will benefit from playing multiple games at their designated home venues. Punjab Kings will split their home fixtures between New Chandigarh and Dharamshala, including three matches in the picturesque hill venue. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are set to host four matches in Jaipur, giving them a solid home advantage. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play three matches at their home ground in Bengaluru, along with two fixtures scheduled in Raipur. These venue allocations could play a crucial role in determining outcomes, as teams often rely heavily on familiar conditions to gain an edge.

While the league phase schedule has been confirmed, the BCCI has stated that the venues for the playoffs will be announced at a later date. This decision keeps fans and teams guessing, adding to the anticipation surrounding the knockout stage.

Complete schedule of IPL 2026 league stage

Also READ: Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook predict the winner of IPL 2026

Marnus Labuschagne (Screen Grab)

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) had a controversial start on their opening day after an incident saw the regular white ball turn pink during the first match of the season due to colour transfer from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s jerseys. The issue, noted as a first-time occurrence by Marnus Labuschagne which quickly drew attention on social media. The PSL began its 2026 season on March 26, but controversy struck in the opening game itself. The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore unexpectedly turned into what fans described as a ‘pink-ball contest.’ The Hyderabad Kingsmen captain alerted the umpires that the ball was changing colour, explaining that dye from his team’s jerseys was rubbing off onto the white ball, gradually turning it pink and later reddish.“I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like this before,” a baffled Labuschagne told reporters at the post-match press conference.“I’ve seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I’ve never seen this happen with clothing. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” he added.After the conclusion of the match the Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a cheeky post on X after their poor kit jersey turned the match into a ‘pink-ball contest’. Cricketers often polish the ball using their jerseys or a towel to maintain its shine, which helps bowlers generate swing. However, this incident has raised serious concerns, with many calling it an embarrassment for the PSL. Questions are being asked about how such poor-quality kits were approved, allowing jersey colour to transfer onto the match ball. The Australian star expressed hope that the franchise owners would resolve the issue quickly.

Match Summary

Lahore Qalandars began their PSL 2026 campaign with a dominant 69-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen. Batting first, Lahore posted 199/4, powered by Fakhar Zaman’s 53 and an unbeaten 40 from Haseebullah Khan. In response, Hyderabad were bowled out for 130, with Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza, and Haris Rauf taking two wickets each.The tournament is being played behind closed doors due to the West Asia crisis and is limited to Lahore and Karachi. PSL 2026 has also been impacted by the loss of several overseas players, many of whom have joined IPL teams as replacements.

PALGHAR: A self-styled godman from Maharashtra’s Palghar district has been booked for allegedly raping a 35-year-old woman after claiming to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, an official said on Friday.The woman came forward to file a complaint against the 40-year-old accused following the recent arrest of former Merchant Navy officer and self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Nashik, the official added.Police said the woman, a resident of Pune, first came into contact with the accused through Facebook in 2023.“In December of that year, the accused visited Pune to meet the woman. He allegedly deceived her by claiming he was an incarnation of Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and that she was his ‘Parvati’,” said the official, citing the FIR.The complainant alleged that the accused took her to a lodge in Pune’s Manjari area, where he administered a numbing substance before raping her. During the assault, he also allegedly took photographs of her without her knowledge.She told police that the accused, who runs a social organisation in Palghar district, later used these photographs to blackmail her. In May last year, he allegedly called her to a hotel in Vasai and attempted to sexually assault her again.Senior Inspector Hiralal Jadhav of Manikpur police station said the woman decided to come forward after the “Captain” Kharat case in Nashik gave her the courage to share her ordeal.Since the primary offence allegedly took place in Pune, Manikpur police registered a Zero FIR on Wednesday and subsequently transferred the case to Hadapsar police station in Pune for further investigation, he said.A Zero FIR is a first information report that can be filed at any police station in India, irrespective of where the crime occurred or which station has jurisdiction.The complainant has further alleged that the accused used a similar modus operandi to lure and sexually exploit several other women. Efforts are underway to apprehend him, the official added.(With agency inputs)

US President Donald Trump (AP file photo)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday explained why he granted Iran a 10-day cooling-off period, describing it as a response to a “gift” from Tehran, allowing the passage of eight oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, while pausing planned strikes on its high-value energy infrastructure. He also portrayed the move as a sign of progress in ongoing diplomatic efforts amid tensions in the Middle East.Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Iran had approached his administration seeking more time as part of continuing engagement between the two sides.