🏏TATA IPL 2026 Build-up Live Updates🏏 - Page 4

IPL 2026 Build-Up Live: Dubey named a replacement for Akash Deep

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have named Saurabh Dubey and David Payne as replacements for the injured Akash Deep and Jack Edwards, respectively, ahead of the IPL beginning on March 28.

India pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the tournament with a lumbar stress injury. He will remain under the supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

"Saurabh, a left-arm pacer, will replace Akash at KKR. He will join KKR for Rs 30 lakh," an IPL media advisory stated.

Saurabh, the 28-year-old Vidarbha bowler, who is yet to make his IPL debut, was previously part of the SRH squad.

Meanwhile, England pacer Payne has been signed by SRH as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who has been sidelined with a foot injury. Edwards had earlier been picked up by SRH for Rs 3 crore following a bidding contest with Chennai Super Kings.

Payne, who has featured in one ODI for England and played 233 T20 matches, claiming 304 wickets, will join SRH for Rs 1.5 crore.

IPL 2026 Build-up Live: What IPL teams can and can't do

The BCCI has barred IPL teams from holding practice sessions on match days in IPL 2026, according to a note sent to team managers. Teams will be allotted two nets in the practice area and one side wicket on the main square for range-hitting during practice. At Wankhede Stadium, if both teams train at the same time, each side will get two wickets.

A list of do’s and dont’s

- No open nets will be allowed.

- If one team ends practice early, the other cannot use its allotted wickets.

- No fitness tests will be allowed on the main square on match days.

- On practice days, players must travel to the stadium in the team bus, though teams may split into two batches.

Players must travel separately from family members, while family and friends can come in separate vehicles and watch from the hospitality area.

Match-day rules include

- Players are asked not to hit balls onto LED boards despite the provision of hitting nets.

- Players and support staff cannot sit in front of LED boards. Designated seating for substitutes with towels and water bottles will be marked.

- Players must wear orange and purple caps; if not, they should wear them for at least the first two overs so broadcasters can capture them.

- Sleeveless jerseys and slippers are banned during post-match presentations. First violation will bring a warning; second will attract a financial penalty.

IPL 2026 Build-up Live: 'I don't have to think, players do'

Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra is confident of a strong comeback in IPL 2026.

The team, led by Shubman Gill, aims to compete and win, a mindset that has been consistent since their debut. Gujarat Titans will commence their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31.

12:14 (IST) Mar 24

IPL 2026 Build-up Live: RCB to honour Chinnaswamy stampede victims

M Chinnaswamy Stadium will honour 11 fans lost in a tragedy. A memorial plaque and 11 reserved seats will be unveiled.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lead tributes before the match. The stadium remembers the lives lost during celebrations. This tribute ensures their memory remains part of the venue.

IPL 2026 Build-up Live: KL Rahul to open for Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel explained that KL Rahul batted in the middle order last year due to the team's composition, which included two foreign top-order players.

He emphasised that Rahul has historically excelled as an opener and believes that giving him a top-order slot will provide strong starts in T20 matches, easing the role for the middle-order batters.

IPL is set to kick off from March 28, while Delhi Capitals will start their campaign with a match against LSG on April 1 in Lucknow.

"Last year, he was playing in the middle order because of our team combination. The players we had there were two foreign players, who could play in the top order, and, if you make foreign players play in the middle order, then teams use spin more," Patel told the reporters.

"So, because of this, we used KL Rahul in the middle order last year. He has always been good, in the opening slot, he has made a lot of runs. And if you get a good start in T20 cricket, then it becomes easier for the ones at the back. So, I think till now, we will keep him as an opener," he added.

RCB owners changed.

From underdogs to billion-dollar franchise

Once valued at just $67 million in 2008, Rajasthan Royals have witnessed a dramatic rise in valuation. The inaugural champions under Shane Warne have evolved into a global asset, reflecting the IPL’s transformation into one of the world’s most lucrative sporting leagues.

7:29 PM

IPL 2026 live news updates: Somani-led consortium acquires Rajasthan Royals

A consortium headed by Kal Somani has taken full ownership of Rajasthan Royals in a deal worth $1.63 billion. Backed by global investors including Walmart, the group will assume control after IPL 2026, marking one of the biggest ownership transitions in the league’s history.

RCB ownership changes hands in massive deal

A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has acquired Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.78 billion. The deal, signed with United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, includes both IPL and WPL teams, marking one of the biggest franchise transactions in cricket.

Mumbai Indians wait on Bumrah

Update from the MI camp is that overseas players Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch and Sherfane Rutherford have already joined the camp, with the MI also showing the squad back at Wankhede in pre-season training.

The one watch point is Jasprit Bumrah. There is no official MI or IPL announcement ruling him out, but he has not yet been publicly confirmed in the camp, and a report earlier said he had reached the BCCI Centre of Excellence shortly before the season start.

GT get timely boost

Gujarat Titans have no confirmed withdrawals or replacements on the books for IPL 2026. Pre-season team update: GT have their entire squad fit and available, with Sai Sudharsan, who suffered a rib fracture in January, also set to start the season. Jos Buttler, meanwhile, is also expected to join up with the franchise for the new campaign. So, for now, GT's availability picture is relatively clean.

: Just three more days before the annual carnival kicks off with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But ahead of the start of the tournament, IPL finds itself grappling with conversations on its standing in global sports leagues after the soaring valuations of Rajasthan Royals and Bengaluru, whose acquisition was completed on Tuesday evening for a mouth-watering deal.

Meanwhile, the BCCI announced the schedule for only the first phase of IPL 2026, which comprises 20 matches, running until April 12. The timeline for the remaining 54 matches is yet to be finalised and will be announced after key election announcements in states such as Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.