The Indian Premier League 2026 season is heating up with each passing day, and excitement levels are set to surge further as the first-ever Rivalry Week in this year’s IPL edition gets underway next week.
Now officially into the third week of the season, the points table has begun to take shape. Rajasthan Royals have emerged as the standout side, having won all four of their opening matches against CSK, GT, MI, and RCB. Punjab Kings sit second with seven points and are yet to taste defeat, while defending champions RCB occupy third place after suffering a setback against Rajasthan.
Teams like LSG, SRH, GT, MI, KKR, and CSK are still finding their rhythm and will be looking to gain positive momentum in the rivalry-packed week ahead.
Matches to Watch
The CSK vs KKR clash on April 14 carries special weight, with many former CSK players and coaches now at KKR, the results between these two sides have been evenly split at 3–3 over recent seasons. With both teams currently struggling near the bottom, this is a must-win encounter.
The MI vs Punjab Kings fixture on April 16 features a perfectly tied head-to-head record of 17 wins apiece, making it a deadlock-breaker. Key to watch will be Shreyas Iyer, who was instrumental in knocking Mumbai out of last season’s competition.
RCB vs Delhi Capitals on April 18 carries a personal edge for Virat Kohli, a Delhi native who has made Bengaluru his cricketing home. RCB leads the all-time count at 20–12, but all eyes will be on KL Rahul looking to silence the Bengaluru crowd once more.
Also on April 18, the Southern Derby between SRH and CSK renews a rivalry that dates back to the 2018 IPL final. With SRH having won their last two meetings and playing on a high-scoring home pitch, CSK’s bowling unit faces a stern test.
IPL 2026 Rivalry Week Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 14 | Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai |
| April 16 | Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings | Mumbai |
| April 18 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals | Bengaluru |
| April 18 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings | Hyderabad |
IPL 2026 runs from March 28 to May 31, featuring 10 franchises in a 74-match format, with RCB entering as defending champions. With the table still wide open, Rivalry Week promises to be the turning point that reshapes the season.
