Harmanpreet Singh Praises Virat Kohli's Work Ethic Amid IPL 2026 Schedule Reveal

In a recent Instagram post, Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh lauded cricket star Virat Kohli for his dedication and work ethic, emphasizing the shared mindset of excellence among elite athletes. Meanwhile, the IPL 2026 schedule has been announced, set to commence on March 28, featuring exciting matchups across various venues. The tournament promises thrilling encounters, including the opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fans can look forward to a competitive season filled with action and sportsmanship.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 23:11 IST

Shared Mindset of Excellence

Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men's hockey team, recently expressed his admiration for cricket legend Virat Kohli after their meeting. He highlighted the shared mindset that elite athletes possess across various sports. In a post on Instagram, Harmanpreet conveyed his respect for Kohli's commitment and diligence, stating, "It was great catching up with Virat Kohli paji. I truly admire how he conducts himself and the effort he invests in his game daily."

Despite competing in different sports, Harmanpreet emphasized that the fundamental principles of success are universal. He remarked, "Different sports, but the mindset remains the same: stay disciplined, continuously improve, and give your all for India. It was a good conversation with positive vibes."

IPL 2026 Schedule Announced

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is scheduled to kick off on March 28, with teams preparing for another thrilling season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the schedule for the initial phase of the tournament, which will run from March 28 to April 12. The 19th edition of this premier T20 league will start with the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

A total of 20 matches will be held across 10 venues, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Following the opening match on Saturday, the Mumbai Indians will compete against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Key Matchups and Venues

The first double-header of the IPL season is set for April 4, 2026, featuring the Delhi Capitals against the Mumbai Indians in the afternoon at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, followed by the Gujarat Titans facing the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Rajasthan Royals will kick off their home campaign in Guwahati, hosting the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play their early home matches at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Throughout the season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will have five home games in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. The Punjab Kings will host four matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while the Rajasthan Royals will play three home games in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.