India, March 11 -- IPL 2026 is set to begin without a rematch of last season's final, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings preparing to launch their campaigns on separate days. Cricbuzz has reported that defending champions RCB are in line to feature in the season opener on March 28 in Bengaluru, while PBKS are expected to begin a day later against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur on March 29.

That immediately makes the opening-week framing interesting. On paper, a repeat of the previous final would have offered an easy hook for the new season. Instead, the tournament appears ready to open with a different kind of statement, one built less around unfinished business and more around pure box-office pull.

That is why a possible RC...