Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head into IPL 2026 with a schedule that offers both symmetry and serious challenges. Their campaign begins with a high-profile clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru on March 28, and fittingly, their league journey will also conclude against the same opponent on May 22 in Hyderabad. This opener-to-finale storyline gives SRH a unique narrative arc, where they could potentially measure their growth across the tournament against one of the strongest teams in the league.

However, the season doesn’t begin on the easiest note for SRH. They will be without their captain Pat Cummins for the initial phase, as he continues to recover from a lumbar stress fracture. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will take charge, stepping into a leadership role at a crucial time. The early fixtures, particularly away games against RCB on March 28 and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 2, will test the squad’s depth and resilience. These matches could set the tone for their campaign, especially as they look to stay competitive without their regular skipper.

The good news for SRH is the strong home advantage they enjoy this season. They will play seven matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, a venue where they have traditionally performed well. A key phase arrives in mid-April, when they play multiple home games in quick succession – against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 13, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 18, and Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 21. This stretch could prove decisive in shaping their playoff chances, as a strong run at home often builds confidence and momentum in a long tournament like the IPL.

Another positive for SRH is their relatively balanced travel schedule. Unlike some teams that have to deal with multiple secondary venues, SRH’s fixtures are spread across familiar cricketing centers such as Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai. This consistency in travel reduces fatigue and allows the team to focus more on performance. Additionally, SRH will feature in two afternoon matches – both on Sundays – against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 5 and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 3, starting at 3:30 PM IST. These games will require adjustments to different pitch conditions and the challenge of playing in afternoon heat.

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SRH Full IPL 2026 Schedule

• March 28 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Bengaluru – 7:30PM IST
• April 2 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kolkata – 7:30PM IST
• April 5 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants – Hyderabad – 3:30PM IST
• April 11 – Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mullanpur – 3:30PM IST
• April 13 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 18 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 21 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 25 – Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• April 29 – Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mumbai – 7:30PM IST
• May 2 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• May 6 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• May 12 – Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Ahmedabad – 7:30PM IST
• May 18 – Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Chennai – 7:30PM IST
• May 22 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST

Note: IST= GMT+ 5:30 hrs

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