Delhi Capitals IPL 2026 Schedule: DC to begin season against LSG in Lucknow on April 1

As the dust settles on India’s historic third ICC T20 World Cup title, achieved in a heart-stopping final against New Zealand just three days ago, the nation’s focus shifts from the glory of the Blue jersey to the high-stakes world of IPL cricket. For the Delhi Capitals, this season represents a pivotal opportunity to translate the international success of their core stars into a maiden IPL trophy

On this Wednesday, the BCCI has officially released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, igniting a fresh wave of excitement across the nation.

As per the first phase of the schedule released by the BCCI, the Delhi Capitals confirmed matches for the initial leg are:

• LSG vs DC – April 1, 2026 (Wednesday), Evening – Lucknow
• DC vs MI – April 4, 2026 (Saturday), Afternoon – Delhi
• DC vs GT – April 8, 2026 (Wednesday), Evening – Delhi
• CSK vs DC – April 11, 2026 (Saturday), Evening – Chennai

The 19th edition of the tournament is officially set to begin on March 28, 2026. However, fans will notice that only the initial itinerary has been made public today.

Also Read | Indian Premier League 2026 Schedule: RCB vs SRH to open season as BCCI unveils first phase; check full match list

The BCCI has opted for a phased announcement strategy this year to navigate the complexities of upcoming state assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

By releasing the schedule in two parts, the board and the Election Commission can coordinate security and logistics effectively, ensuring that the "Roar" of the Delhi fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium remains uninterrupted by polling schedules in other regions.

A review of earlier IPL campaign

The journey toward 2026 is built on the foundation of a gritty 2025 season, where the Delhi Capitals finished in fifth place.

It was a campaign characterised by high-octane finishes and a resilient middle order, as the team secured seven victories from fourteen matches.

Despite their competitive edge, the Capitals were the final team to be eliminated from playoff contention following a narrow defeat to Mumbai Indians. KL Rahul led the batting charts for the franchise with 539 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav’s 15 wickets provided the defensive backbone.

Although falling just short of the top four was a bitter pill to swallow, the performance proved that the squad possessed the tactical depth to compete with the league’s heavyweights.

Also Read | RCB IPL 2026 Schedule: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to face SRH in season opener; check full fixtures

Looking ahead, the Capitals have secured a formidable roster by retaining a core that balances youth with world-class experience.

The franchise has kept hold of their captain and all-round powerhouse Axar Patel, alongside the prolific KL Rahul and spin-wizard Kuldeep Yadav. The international firepower is bolstered by the retention of Mitchell Starc and the explosive Tristan Stubbs.

Furthermore, a significant trade for Nitish Rana has added a new dimension to the batting lineup. With these stalwarts fresh off India’s World Cup triumph, the Delhi Capitals are ready to turn the "almost" of 2025 into the "champions" of 2026.