IPL 2026 kicks off in Bengaluru as venue cleared, PIL on name dismissed
IPL 2026 kicks off in Bengaluru as venue cleared, PIL on name dismissed
Kerala High Court dismisses PIL against IPL name; Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium cleared for IPL 2026 as opening clash looms.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the use of the name ‘Indian Premier League’ by the BCCI, saying the plea has no merit. The petitioner, Ashique Karoth, argued the league wasn’t an official national tournament, seeking to curb the title’s usage. A division bench noted that IPL has long stood in the public eye and observed that the petitioner had only recently realized its non-national status.
In Bengaluru, the Karnataka government formally cleared the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL 2026 matches, ending months of uncertainty after RCB captured the title. The 19th edition will begin on March 28, with defending champions RCB facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy.
On the player front, Yuzvendra Chahal has quit alcohol as he joins Punjab Kings for IPL 2026, prioritizing fitness and form. Pant is back in the fold, rebuilding his rhythm and aiming for a potential India comeback in 2027. He’s been seen working hard in practice, including time with Yuvraj Singh. Kohli led the first training session at the Chinnaswamy ahead of the season, with rain shortening the session and the team’s fan event, Unbox, cancelled due to scheduling constraints.
With the venue secured and star players sharpening up, IPL 2026 is shaping up to deliver high-octane cricket and fresh narratives for fans across the country.
