KKR vs GT: Why are there no double-headers on Saturday, May 16 in IPL 2026?

Shubman Gill GT IPL 2026 04122026

KKR vs GT: Why are there no double-headers on Saturday, May 16 in IPL 2026? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Indian Premier League season 19 is running from March 28, 2026, to May 31, 2026, featuring 10 franchises.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the season as defending champions after winning the 2025 title.
• The league retains its 74-match format.
• There won't be any double-headers on Saturday in May.

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

Why are there no double-headers on Saturday, May 16, in IPL 2026?

If you were hoping to catch two IPL matches this Saturday, May 16, you are out of luck. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had built 12 double-headers into the IPL 2026 calendar, but that chapter is now firmly closed for Saturdays.

All eight of those twin-fixture days were wrapped up through the month of April, spread across both weekend days. Going forward into May, the double-header treatment belongs exclusively to Sundays, while Saturdays go back to hosting just one game.

The shift became visible immediately in the first week of May. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians played out a standalone Saturday fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The following Saturday brought another standout contest, with Rajasthan Royals taking on Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.

Now the spotlight turns to Kolkata, where the Knight Riders will welcome Gujarat Titans to the historic Eden Gardens. Few venues in world cricket carry the same electric atmosphere, and this match promises to deliver the kind of tension that needs no warm-up act.

This is a crucial match as both teams are desperate for two points to keep pushing for a playoff berth.

IPL 2026 double-header format explained

The double-header games are usually scheduled on weekends, and mostly on Sundays.

These matches give a boost to the tournament, and the table often changes rapidly as the games take place one after the other.

On the double-header days, the timings are as follows:

• Afternoon games (Match 1): 3:30 p.m. IST
• Evening games (Match 2): 7:30 p.m. IST

Full list of IPL 2026 double headers

MORE:What is the role of Sachin Tendulkar in the Mumbai Indians setup?

Where to watch the IPL 2026

• Australia: Fox Cricket
• **United Kingdom:**Sky Sports
• India: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network
• Middle East & North Africa: Cricbuzz, Elife, Switch TV, StarzPlay
• **Pakistan:**Tapmad TV
• **USA & Canada:**Willow TV

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