3 Current IPL Teams That Have Never Played a Season Opener

The Indian Premier League (IPL) opener always comes with a lot of thrill. Fans wait for months for the tournament to begin and the inaugural match marks the commencement of the spectacle.

Over the years, some teams have made an appearance in this particular match quite a number of times. Chennai Super Kings has appeared as many as nine times. While Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders have played as many as eight openers.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru too has featured as the IPL opener quite a few times in the past. They are all set to appear as the season opener in the 2026 season of the league. This will be their seventh opening match.

While some teams have opened the IPL season so many times, there are few franchises that are still awaiting their chance to appear as the IPL opener. Here is the list of such teams:

3 Current IPL Teams That Have Never Played a Season Opener

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings is quite a shocker from this list. The franchise has been a part of the IPL since its inaugural season in 2008. During all this time, the franchise has featured some of the most iconic names and have even appeared in the finals twice. However, despite being a part of the league for such a long time, PBKS have never had the chance to be part of an IPL opener.

The fans have quite a few times anticipated them to be chosen for the opener but that moment is yet to arrive.

Rajasthan Royals

The next team on the list of those that have never been part of the IPL opener is Rajasthan Royals. It is interesting that RR won the first ever IPL in the year 2008, captained by the iconic Shane Warne. The team defied all odds to clinch the inaugural trophy. However, despite being the winner of the first-ever IPL, RR never made an appearance as the season opener.

Reports have suggested that RR was supposed to open the IPL season in 2009 but, due to the national elections in the country, the IPL had to be moved out of India and the schedule change resulted in them missing out on an appearance in the opener.

Since then the team has not played in an IPL season opener.

Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants are relatively new to the league and have never appeared in an IPL season opener so far. The franchise joined the league when it was expanded to 10 teams.

Since joining the league, LSG has been quite a strong force in the IPL and has managed to qualify for the playoffs in most of the seasons they have participated in. The team is yet to be a part of an IPL season opener and awaits its turn to make its debut in the inaugural match.

Apart from these teams, Delhi Capitals are also an interesting mention on this list as the franchise has appeared only once in the opener before the year 2013, when it was known as the Delhi Daredevils.

An IPL opener always creates a certain amount of excitement in the league and the wait continues for teams like Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants.