Southern rivalry

Indian Premier League: The ‘Rivalry Week’ of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 promises a high-voltage sequence of fixtures, with some of the season's most anticipated matchups lined up. On that note, several former Indian cricketers have shared their insights into what fans can expect at this crucial juncture of the tournament.

Sanjay Bangar highlighted the emergence of young talent as a key storyline. “Rivalry Week comes at a crucial juncture in the tournament, where teams will begin to assess their form two weeks in. What has stood out for me so far in the tournament is the emergence of these fearless prodigies, which bodes well for both Indian cricket and the tournament. I’m looking forward to the contest between Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. It promises to be a fascinating battle. Everything is set up beautifully, and fans are in for a treat,” he told JioStar.

The week kicks off on April 12 with a blockbuster clash between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), reigniting the Rohit Sharma–Virat Kohli rivalry. The Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, will face off, while Kohli’s encounter with MI’s Jasprit Bumrah adds another layer of intrigue. While MI lead the overall head-to-head 19–15, RCB have dominated recent meetings and will look to extend that streak.