IPL 2026 faces new challenge as overseas players remain uncertain due to Middle East tensions

Just when IPL franchises were beginning to shift focus from the T20 World Cup to pre-season planning, a new challenge has emerged. A headache that is not in their hands. It has nothing to do with injuries or something else. Again, it is geopolitics. No India vs Pakistan conflict issue, but more serious and at a larger level.

With tensions escalating in the Middle East and airspace shut across multiple countries, the arrival of overseas players for IPL 2026 is suddenly uncertain. With less than a month remaining for the new IPL season to start, teams have begun preparations, holding pre-season camps. However, there are no signs of overseas players as the Airspace has been affected as well.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are pressing ahead regardless. Their preparatory camp begins on March 1 at the franchise’s high-performance centre in Chennai. CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that MS Dhoni will be part of the camp and that all available Indian players are expected to assemble.

Around 15 domestic players will report initially. India internationals such as Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, currently involved in the T20 World Cup, will join after the tournament concludes on March 7.