BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia [Source: AFP]In a significant development, the BCCI finally issued an official statement on the release date of the IPL 2026 schedule. The IPL 2026 kicks off on Saturday, March 28, with RCB taking on SRH in the tournament opener. Ahead of the season opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has issued an official statement on the IPL 2026 schedule. BCCI released IPL 2026 schedule for first 20 matchesThe BCCI had earlier released the fixtures for the first twenty matches. As the tournament coincides with elections in several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam- the governing body had decided to announce the IPL 2026 schedule in two phases to deal with security challenges. As per the released schedule, RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the high-voltage curtain-raiser at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With barely two days left for the first match, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia finally broke silence on when the board would reveal the remainder of the IPL schedule. Devajit Saikia reveals when will BCCI announce IPL scheduleSpeaking to the Times of India, the BCCI secretary revealed that the board would confirm the schedule for the remaining 54 matches in IPL 2026 in a few day's time. Four days ago, Cricbuzz reported that the IPL schedule might be released within 72-96 hours. However, Saikia's statement hints at a further delay in the announcement of the IPL 2026 schedule, with fans eagerly awaiting the official fixtures. “We will announce the remaining IPL 2026 schedule in a few days’ time,” Devajit Saikia told TOI. Why is the IPL 2026 schedule announcement delayed?As mentioned earlier, the assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam will collide with the IPL 2026. Therefore, it will be a daunting task for the state authorities to manage an event as grand as the IPL amid the elections. Also read: IPL 2026 Players List- Injury Replacements, Withdrawals From All TeamsThere could be a shortage of security personnel for the IPL crowd management, as they will be deployed to monitor safety in more sensitive zones during the elections. The security reasons may force the IPL governing council to relocate several fixtures. That's why the BCCI has delayed the announcement of the IPL 2026 schedule. The Indian cricket board will coordinate with the state authorities and confirm the final set of 54 fixtures in the next few days. IPL schedule at a glanceAs per the released schedule, RCB will take on SRH in the IPL 2026 opener in Bengaluru. The fixture marks the return of competitive cricket to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium following the infamous stampede incident last year. Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against KKR at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29. Chennai Super Kings are set to cross swords against the Rajasthan Royals in their tournament opener, with Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants taking on Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals in their respective inaugural fixtures. Also read: RCB's Nuwan Thushara Set To Miss IPL 2026
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