The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) will see its first name at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, March 29 when hosts Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Both sides will enter their first game of the new IPL season with a lot of promise and will want to register two points on the board. MI, however, would be backing on home advantage to beat their long-term rivals in front of a packet sea of blue in the stands. 

The Hardik Pandya-led side will come into the game with a lot of confidence after that happened at the Wankhede Stadium against KKR last time around. Last season, MI registered an emphatic eight-wicket victory after dismissing their opposition for just 116, thanks to Ashwini Kumar’s four-wicket haul. MI chased down the total with ease following an unbeaten 62 from Ryan Rickelton. 

The Wankhede Stadium is renowned to produce some of the best wickets for T20 cricket. Fans therefore can expect an even contest between bat and ball and with the pitches being fresh at the start of the tournament. 

Wankhede Stadium: Pitch Report

Wankhede Stadium is often regarded as having one of the best batting wickets in India. However, that does not mean that there is nothing in offer for the bowlers. Batters often enjoy batting at the Wankhede Stadium due to the ease at which the ball comes on to the bat along with the combination of having shorter boundaries, particularly square of the wicket. 

The bowlers, however, will be looking to make use of the new ball to get early wickets at the start of the innings. The seamers can look to make the most out of the sea breeze on offer to them thanks to the stadium being a stone’s throw away from the Arabian Sea.

IPL Stats and Records at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Also Check: IPL 2026: MI vs KKR Match 2 – Preview

MI vs KKR: Strategies and Match-ups 

Both MI and KKR come into the game with different approaches with the hope of claiming their first victory of the season. MI are a much more balanced side with quality in each area of the game, be it batting or bowling. KKR, on the other hand, are usually known for being heavily reliant on spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. 

MI has had an upper hand over KKR ever since the IPL started back in 2008. The five-time champions have won 24 out of the 35 games contested between the two sides with the Bengal-based side winning just 11. However, in their last five meetings, KKR have won three compared to MI’s two.

The Indian Premier League has always been a volatile league where one can never predict for which team a player will play after a season. Over the years, the auction table has reshaped careers, turning players into journeymen across franchises while also creating stories of adaptability and reinvention.

From seasoned campaigners like Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh, who represented multiple teams during their IPL journeys, the league has seen several players wear a variety of colours over the years.

While some icons became synonymous with a single franchise, many others carved out unique paths by contributing wherever they went. In today’s dynamic IPL system, frequent squad changes mean that even active players often find themselves switching teams in search of opportunity, form, or the right role.

With that in mind, we take a look at active IPL players who have represented four or more franchises in the league.

Marcus Stoinis – 4 teams

The all-rounder from Australia, Marcus Stoinis has been a hit or a miss in the IPL since his debut in the league. The 36-year-old, despite being one of the most talented players in the world, could never make his mark in the IPL for any of his franchises. As a result, he never got settled in any of his IPL teams. He currently plays for Punjab Kings, and was an integral part in their successful campaign in 2025.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings

Ravindra Jadeja – 4 teams

The most surprising name in this list is one of the most successful players in the history of the IPL, Ravindra Jadeja. The legendary all-rounder has represented four IPL teams till date. He started his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals, where he clinched the first ever IPL title with them in 2008.

He briefly played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala before his epic story with Chennai Super Kings began in 2012. During CSK’s ban, Jadeja played for his state side, Gujarat Lions for two seasons. This year, he made his return to RR after being traded for Sanju Samson.

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions.

KL Rahul – 5 teams

KL Rahul’s Indian Premier League journey, spanning from 2013 to the present, is a story of steady evolution, downfall, and eventual dominance. Starting out as a young wicketkeeper-batter with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013, Rahul has grown into one of the most consistent openers and dependable leaders in the league.

With over 5,200 runs, he has firmly established himself among the IPL elite. He currently represents Delhi Capitals in IPL, after he was bought by them for 14 crores INR in the 2025 IPL auction.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals

Ajinkya Rahane – 6 teams

Ajinkya Rahane has been one of the most enduring figures in the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008. With over 5,000 runs in nearly 200 matches, Rahane has created a unique space for himself as a technically sound, classical batter in a format dominated by power-hitters.  

Across his long IPL journey, Rahane has represented multiple franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings.

Despite not being known for explosive hitting, Rahane has delivered consistently at the top order, registering two centuries and 33 half-centuries. In 2026 season, he will lead three-time IPL champions KKR, signifying his important stature in the league.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings.

Quinton de Kock – 6 teams

Quinton de Kock has been one of the most destructive opening batters in the Indian Premier League since his debut in 2013. Combining fearless strokeplay with consistency at the top, the South African wicketkeeper-batter has amassed over 3,300 runs in 115 matches, including two centuries and 24 half-centuries.

Renowned for his aggressive powerplay approach, de Kock has played a key role across multiple franchises, delivering impactful starts that often set the tone for his team’s innings. His ability to dominate both pace and spin early on makes him one of the most dangerous openers in the league.

Teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ishant Sharma – 7 teams

Ishant Sharma has been one of the most experienced fast bowlers in the Indian Premier League, having been part of the tournament since its inaugural season in 2008. Known for his towering height and ability to generate bounce, Ishant has brought a classical fast-bowling presence to a format often dominated by variations and pace-off deliveries.

Over the years, he has featured in 117 matches, picking up 97 wickets, reflecting his longevity and adaptability across different phases of the league. While not always a regular in every season, his experience has made him a valuable asset in various bowling line-ups.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans

Manish Pandey – 7 teams

Manish Pandey holds a special place in Indian Premier League history as the first Indian batter to score a century in the tournament. Over a career spanning from 2008 to 2025, he has been a reliable middle-order presence, combining classical strokeplay with the ability to anchor innings under pressure. Across 174 matches, Pandey has amassed 3,942 runs, including one century and 22 half-centuries.

His longevity in the league is reflected in the number of franchises he has represented, including Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, among others. He will represent KKR in the upcoming IPL season.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants

Jaydev Unadkat – 8 teams

Jaydev Unadkat holds the unique distinction playing for eight franchises, being the player with the most number of IPL teams among active ones in IPL history. Since making his debut, the left-arm pacer has been a regular feature at auctions, often attracting significant bids due to his strong domestic credentials.

While his IPL numbers have seen fluctuations over the years, Unadkat has still managed to deliver impactful spells at crucial moments. His journey reflects both the opportunities and challenges of sustaining success in a highly competitive T20 league, where form and roles can change rapidly.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Indian Premier League (IPL) season is set to return for its 19th season in less than a week’s time. Ahead of the start of the new IPL season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced fixtures of just the first phase, from March 28 to April 12. This is due to the imminent state elections which are set to take place in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The full fixture list would be announced once the poll dates are out. 

In the first phase of the 2026 IPL, The Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to play three away games and just one solitary game at their home ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. That game is against the Rajasthan Royals on April 4. 

This year, BookMyShow and Zomato’s District app are the two official ticketing partners for the 2026 IPL season. Tickets for GT’s home games start from INR 1,000 and go up to INR 25,000 for the Presidential Suites. 

GT IPL 2026 ticket prices (stand-wise):

How to book GT’s IPL 2026 tickets online:

• Visit the BookMyShow website.
• Select the GT vs RR game from their Sports section and click on ‘Book Now’.
• Select your preferred seating category and choose your specific seats using the stadium map.
• Go to your cart and pay the amount along with the booking fees using any payment methods, including UPI, debit and credit cards, mobile wallets and net banking. 
• You will receive an M-ticket which can be viewed through the BookMyShow app or website under ‘My Profile’.
• A few digital tickets require collecting physical tickets from the box office or designated pick-up centres. Fans are advised to check terms and conditions thoroughly.

Gujarat Titans’ full schedule for IPL 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q) Which online platform will sell tickets for the 2026 Indian Premier League?

A) BookMyShow and District by Zomato are the two online platforms fans can secure their match tickets online for 2026 IPL.

Q) When will GT play their opening game of the 2026 IPL?

A) GT play their opening game of the 2026 IPL season on Tuesday, March 31, against Punjab Kings in Chandigarh. Their first home game is against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, April 4.