IPL 2026 News Bulletin: Schedule, Gambhir’s World Cup Plan, Shaw Engagement

With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 now concluded, attention in the cricketing world has quickly shifted to the Indian Premier League 2026, which is set to begin later this month. Broadcast deals, sponsorships, fan offers, and player news are already shaping the build-up to the new season, while Team India's long-term planning has also begun after their World Cup triumph.

Here are the top stories making headlines.

1. IPL 2026 Set to Begin on March 28

The Indian Premier League 2026 is expected to kick off on March 28, according to updates on JioHotstar. The opening match is likely to feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with Punjab Kings emerging as the probable opponents for the season opener.

The match is expected to take place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while the full schedule for the tournament is expected to be announced soon. The final of the 2026 season is currently slated for May 31.

2. Gambhir Targets ODI World Cup 2027 Blueprint After IPL

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has already begun planning for the ODI World Cup 2027, stating that the team management aims to finalise a roadmap by the end of IPL 2026.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the tournament, and Gambhir emphasised the importance of preparing early for the conditions.

"We will start planning after the IPL. There are around 25 to 30 ODIs before the World Cup, so the earlier we begin identifying players and combinations, the better," Gambhir said.

3. Jio Launches New Recharge Plans for IPL Streaming

With IPL 2026 approaching, Reliance Jio has launched new recharge plans bundled with JioHotstar subscriptions to attract cricket viewers.

One of the key offers includes a ₹949 plan that provides 84 days of validity, 2GB of data per day, unlimited calls, and a JioHotstar subscription. Other add-on packs provide smaller data bundles with streaming access for shorter durations.

The plans are designed to boost digital viewership as IPL remains one of India's biggest live-streamed sporting events.

4. JioStar Secures Major Sponsors for IPL 2026 Broadcast

Media rights holder JioStar has already secured six digital sponsors and five television sponsors** ahead of IPL 2026.

On JioHotstar, brands such as Birla Opus, Rapido, AMFI, Amazon, Vimal and MRF have joined as sponsors, while Star Sports has partnered with Rapido, AMFI, Vimal, Asian Paints and Hero MotoCorp for television coverage.

IPL continues to be one of India's most lucrative advertising platforms, attracting hundreds of brands across categories every season.

5. Prithvi Shaw Gets Engaged Ahead of IPL 2026

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw has announced his engagement to actor and social media influencer Akriti Agarwal, sharing pictures from the ceremony on Instagram.

Agarwal, who has millions of followers on social media, has also appeared in the Telugu film Trimukha.

Shaw is set to represent Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 after being picked up for his base price of 75 lakh. The opener will be hoping to revive his career with a strong season after struggling with form and fitness in recent years.

As the cricket calendar moves swiftly from a World Cup triumph to the IPL carnival, the coming weeks promise another intense phase of action - both on the field and in the business of the sport.