{ "id": "191668", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "Kohli, Suryavanshi To Light Up IPL As Stampede Dead Remembered", "lang": "en", "series": "664", "cup_year": "2026", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "The IPL roars back into action on Saturday super-charged by India's home T20 World Cup triumph, but with sombre memories of the 11 fans who died in a stampede celebrating Virat Kohli and Royal Cha", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

The IPL roars back into action on Saturday super-charged by India's home T20 World Cup triumph, but with sombre memories of the 11 fans who died in a stampede celebrating Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title last season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The richest league in cricket launches with RCB hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where June's title party turned to tragedy a day after Bengaluru's first IPL crown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Eleven supporters aged between 14 and 29 died outside the stadium in a crush.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The club, sold on Tuesday for nearly $1.8 billion to an Indian-US consortium, will leave 11 seats permanently empty at the stadium while players will wear black armbands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20 internationals, guided RCB to their maiden title on the 18th attempt and shows no sign of slowing down aged 37.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"He will be hungrier than ever, especially after lifting the IPL trophy last season," former India pace bowler Irfan Pathan told host broadcaster JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"He will have the same kind of passion when he comes back this season. He will want to lift the trophy once again."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The spotlight will also be on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Suryavanshi, who turns 15 on Friday, will open the batting for Rajasthan Royals this season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The prodigy starred for India in their U19 World Cup win in Harare last month, smashing a record-breaking 175 off 80 balls in the final against England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

- 'Go hit, don't worry' -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Suryavanshi burst onto the IPL scene last year as a 14-year-old, hitting a six off the first ball he faced on his debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

A few days later he romped to a 35-ball century, the second fastest in IPL history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Royals and fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal are keen to shield Suryavanshi from the glare of publicity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"There will be hype and pressure naturally," said captain Riyan Parag.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Jaiswal is more than capable of handling that. For Vaibhav, the role will be just to go, hit, and not to worry."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

India's T20 World Cup win produced new heroes, including opener-wicketkeeper Sanju Samson and all-rounder Shivam Dube, who are both with five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Samson, named player of the World Cup after his 321 runs in India's last three matches propelled them to the title, begins his first season with Chennai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Two-time World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 44, will continue to defy age in CSK's yellow, batting at number seven under skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Some overseas stars will miss the start, including Australia's pace trio Pat Cummins (Hyderabad), Mitchell Starc (Delhi) and Josh Hazlewood (RCB) because of fitness concerns and workload management.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

England's Ben Duckett (Delhi) has withdrawn to focus on international cricket, leaving him facing a potential two-season IPL ban.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Live Cricket Score<\/a><\/h5>

The final is scheduled for May 31, but only the fixtures for the first two weeks have been announced because of elections in several Indian states.
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