Indian Premier League

The nineteenth edition of the Indian Premier League arrives with unprecedented excitement as cricket's most celebrated franchise tournament prepares to light up stadiums across India from March 26 to May 31, 2026. The tournament will feature 10 teams competing in 84 matches, marking a significant expansion from previous formats.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru enters the season as defending champions after their emotional first-ever title triumph in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. The tournament expansion to 84 matches represents the BCCI's commitment to providing fans with more high-quality cricket, with plans to further expand to 94 matches from 2028 onwards.

The 2026 season arrives amid heightened anticipation following controversies from the previous year, including mid-tournament suspensions due to geopolitical tensions and debates surrounding player eligibility. These challenges have only intensified fans' eagerness for the upcoming season, where ten franchises will battle for cricket's most coveted domestic trophy.

The Indian Premier League emerged from the spectacular success of India's 2007 T20 World Cup victory under MS Dhoni's captaincy. On 13 September 2007, as the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 began, the BCCI launched the Indian Premier League, an annual franchise-based Twenty20 cricket competition. BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi spearheaded this revolutionary initiative, presenting a tournament that would blend cricket excellence with entertainment spectacle.

The Birth of a Revolution

The IPL was partially a response to the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL), which the BCCI did not recognize. By creating an official, franchise-based T20 league, the BCCI aimed to provide cricketers with legitimate opportunities while maintaining control over Indian cricket's commercial future.

The inaugural season was scheduled to start in April 2008, commencing with a "high-profile ceremony" in New Delhi. Eight franchises were sold through a bidding process in January 2008, generating a combined $723.59 million. The franchises represented major Indian cities: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur, Mohali, and Hyderabad.

The Inaugural Season

The 2008 Indian Premier League season was the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, established by the BCCI in 2007. The season commenced on 18 April 2008 with the final match was held on 1 June 2008. The very first match, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw New Zealand's Brendon McCullum score an astonishing 158 runs off 73 balls, immediately establishing the IPL's reputation for explosive cricket.

Rajasthan Royals, led by legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne, emerged as the inaugural champions, defeating Chennai Super Kings in a last-ball thriller. The tournament captured India's imagination, attracting massive television audiences and establishing a template that would be copied by T20 leagues worldwide.

The IPL Mega Auction represents the tournament's most dramatic off-field event, where franchises rebuild their squads with fresh talent and strategic acquisitions. For IPL 2026, the franchises were required to submit their retention lists before 15 November 2025, and a total of 173 players were retained ahead of the auction.

2026 Auction Details

The auction was held on 16 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the auction purse for each franchise set at ₹125 crore. This marked the third consecutive year the auction was held outside India, following Dubai in 2024 and Jeddah for the 2025 mega auction.

The 2026 auction witnessed several record-breaking acquisitions:

Most Expensive Players:

• Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player and the third most expensive player in the history of IPL when he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹25.20 crore
• Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma became the joint-most expensive uncapped players in the history of IPL when they were both bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹14.20 crore each
• Matheesha Pathirana joined Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹18 crore
• Venkatesh Iyer joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹7 crore and Ravi Bishnoi headed to Rajasthan Royals for ₹7.20 crore

Retention Rules

Franchises could retain up to six players (five capped and two uncapped) before the auction. The retention framework allowed teams to secure their core players while maintaining competitive balance across the league. Notable teams approached the auction with vastly different strategies, with Kolkata Knight Riders possessing the largest available purse of ₹64.30 crore after releasing several major names, while Mumbai Indians had only ₹2.75 crore remaining after securing an expensive core group.

The IPL has witnessed significant franchise changes since its inception, evolving from eight teams to the current ten-team format.

Original Eight Franchises (2008)

The inaugural season featured:

• Mumbai Indians
• Chennai Super Kings
• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Royal Challengers Bangalore
• Rajasthan Royals
• Deccan Chargers
• Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings)
• Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)

Teams That Departed

Deccan Chargers were terminated in 2012 due to financial issues and were replaced by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. Kochi Tuskers Kerala debuted in 2011 but lasted only one season before being terminated for contract breaches. Pune Warriors India participated from 2011 IPL to 2013 IPL but withdrew due to financial disputes.

Temporary Suspensions

In 2016, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were suspended for two years due to the 2013 betting scandal, leading to the temporary inclusion of Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions, both of which played in 2016 IPL and 2017 IPL before being dissolved when CSK and RR returned in 2018 IPL.

Current Ten-Team Format

In 2022, the league expanded to ten teams with the addition of:

• Gujarat Titans - Won the championship in their debut season
• Lucknow Super Giants - Reached playoffs in their inaugural year

This ten-team format has been maintained for IPL 2026, with all franchises bringing distinct identities, passionate fan bases, and competitive squads to the tournament.

The IPL 2026 format builds upon the group-stage structure introduced in 2022, designed to maximize competitive balance while accommodating ten teams.

League Stage Structure

Since 2022, the ten teams are divided into two groups of five teams as determined by a random draw. Each team plays two matches against the other four teams in their group and a randomly chosen team from the other group, while playing a single match against the other four teams.

For IPL 2026:

Group A:

• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Rajasthan Royals
• Chennai Super Kings
• Punjab Kings

Group B:

• Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Delhi Capitals
• Gujarat Titans
• Mumbai Indians
• Lucknow Super Giants

Match Distribution

Each team plays 14 league matches (7 home, 7 away), resulting in a total of 70 league-stage matches. The additional 14 matches in the 84-match total come from the playoff structure and possible eliminator/qualifier matches.

Points System

Teams earn:

• 2 points for a win
• 1 point for a no-result or abandoned match
• 0 points for a loss

In case of teams finishing with equal points, Net Run Rate (NRR) serves as the primary tiebreaker, making every run and over crucial throughout the tournament.

Basis the points accumulated in the group stage, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the top two teams from the group stage compete with each other in the first qualifier and the winner qualifies directly for the final. The loser of the qualifier competes with the winner of an eliminator match between the third and fourth placed teams, to determine the other finalist.

Playoff Structure Breakdown

Qualifier 1:

• Teams finishing 1st vs 2nd in league stage
• Winner advances directly to Final
• Loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2

Eliminator:

• Teams finishing 3rd vs 4th in league stage
• Winner advances to Qualifier 2
• Loser is eliminated from tournament

Qualifier 2:

• Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator
• Winner advances to Final
• Loser is eliminated from tournament

Final:

• Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2
• Champion is crowned

This format rewards consistency by giving the top two teams two chances to reach the final, while teams finishing third and fourth must win every playoff match to claim the title. The system balances merit-based progression with the excitement of knockout cricket.

The IPL features an impressive array of business tycoons, corporate houses, and celebrities as franchise owners, bringing both financial muscle and star power to the league.

Team Ownership Structure (2026)

Mumbai Indians

• Owner: Reliance Industries (Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani)
• Net Worth: Over $100 billion (Mukesh Ambani's wealth)
• Titles: 5 (Most alongside CSK)

Chennai Super Kings

• Owner: India Cements (N. Srinivasan)
• Net Worth: $10 billion
• Titles: 5

Kolkata Knight Riders

• Owners: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta (Red Chillies Entertainment)
• SRK Net Worth: $780 million
• Titles: 3

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Owner: United Spirits Limited (Diageo Group)
• Potential New Ownership: Discussions ongoing with Hombale Films
• Titles: 1 (2025)

Rajasthan Royals

• Owner: Emerging Media (Manoj Badale)
• Additional stakeholders include RedBird Capital
• Titles: 1 (2008)

Delhi Capitals

• Co-owners: GMR Group, JSW Group
• Corporate ownership structure
• Titles: 0

Punjab Kings

• Co-owners: Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, Karan Paul
• Mixed celebrity-business ownership
• Titles: 0

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Owner: Sun TV Network (Kalanithi Maran family, operated by Kavya Maran)
• Media conglomerate backing
• Titles: 1 (2016)

Gujarat Titans

• Owner: CVC Capital Partners
• Global private equity ownership
• Titles: 1 (2022)

Lucknow Super Giants

• Owner: RPSG Group (Sanjiv Goenka)
• Industrial conglomerate backing
• Titles: 0

Title Sponsorship

The Tata Group renewed their contract as the title sponsors of the IPL for a tenure of 5 years (2024–2028) for ₹2,500 crore. The tournament is officially branded as "TATA IPL 2026."

Team-Specific Sponsors

Each franchise maintains individual sponsorship portfolios featuring jersey sponsors, principal partners, and official associates. Royal Challengers Bengaluru leads with the most diverse sponsor lineup for 2026, including Nothing (jersey sponsor), KEI, Delhivery, Jio, PUMA, Boat, and Bisleri.

The IPL has evolved into a commercial juggernaut, with franchise valuations reaching unprecedented heights.

Top Franchises by Brand Value (2025-2026)

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru - $269 Million Following their maiden championship in 2025, RCB overtook all competitors to become the most valuable franchise, despite never winning a title in their first 17 seasons.

2. Mumbai Indians - $242 Million The five-time champions maintain strong commercial appeal through their association with Reliance Industries and consistent on-field success.

3. Chennai Super Kings - $235 Million CSK's loyal "Yellow Army" fanbase and five titles keep them among the league's most valuable properties, though they slightly trail RCB following the latter's 2025 triumph.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders - $222 Million Shah Rukh Khan's celebrity ownership and three championships ensure strong commercial performance and global brand recognition.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad Strong media network backing and consistent playoff appearances maintain solid franchise value.

Revenue Streams

IPL franchises generate revenue through multiple channels:

1. Central Pool Distribution - Share of broadcasting rights, title sponsorship, and central commercial deals distributed by BCCI
2. Franchise Sponsorships - Individual team sponsors and partners
3. Ticket Sales - Gate receipts from home matches
4. Merchandise - Team jerseys, accessories, and licensed products
5. Digital Engagement - Social media monetization and content creation

The total valuation of all IPL franchises combined represents a multi-billion dollar ecosystem, with the league valued at approximately ₹76,100 crore ($8.8 billion) as of 2025.

The IPL operates under T20 cricket rules with several unique variations that distinguish it from other cricket competitions.

Core Playing Rules

Strategic Time-Outs: Each team receives two 2.5-minute breaks during their bowling innings, allowing tactical discussions and sponsor integration.

Decision Review System (DRS): Since 2018, teams can challenge umpiring decisions using technology, with each team allowed one unsuccessful review per innings.

Impact Player Rule: Introduced in recent seasons, teams can substitute one player during the match who can both bat and bowl, adding tactical flexibility.

Bouncer Regulations: Since the 2024 season, bowlers have been allowed to deliver two bouncers an over, increased from the previous limit of one per over.

Squad and Playing XI Rules

• Maximum squad size: 25 players
• Maximum overseas players in playing XI: 4
• Minimum of 7 Indian players must feature in every playing XI
• Teams must have at least one certified wicketkeeper in the squad

Auction and Salary Cap

• Auction purse for 2026: ₹125 crore per team
• Salary payments include auction price, performance bonuses, and match fees
• Uncapped Indian players (those without significant international experience) can be retained at lower cost brackets

Fair Play Points

Teams earn points for sportsmanship, respect for opponents and officials, and adherence to the spirit of cricket. The Fair Play Award recognizes the team with the highest average points per match.

The IPL has crowned 18 champions across its history, with some franchises dominating while others continue their quest for a maiden title.

Championship Winners by Year

Most Successful Franchises

5 Titles:

• Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)
• Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)

3 Titles:

• Kolkata Knight Riders (2012, 2014, 2024)

1 Title:

• Rajasthan Royals (2008)
• Deccan Chargers (2009)
• Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016)
• Gujarat Titans (2022)
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025)

0 Titles:

• Punjab Kings (Runners-up: 2014, 2025)
• Delhi Capitals (Runners-up: 2020)
• Lucknow Super Giants (New franchise)

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award recognizes the tournament's most impactful performer based on a comprehensive points system evaluating batting, bowling, and fielding contributions.

MVP Points Calculation

• Every four: 2.5 points
• Every six: 3.5 points
• Every wicket: 3.5 points
• Every dot ball: 1 point
• Every catch/stumping: 2.5 points

MVP Winners by Year

Multiple-Time Winners

• Sunil Narine: 3 times (2012, 2018, 2024) - Most MVP awards
• Shane Watson: 2 times (2008, 2013)
• Andre Russell: 2 times (2015, 2019)

Sunil Narine's 2024 performance, earning 450 fantasy points, represents the highest MVP score in IPL history, showcasing his dominance as a genuine all-rounder

The Emerging Player Award celebrates young talent breaking through at the IPL level. Only players who have played fewer than 5 Tests, 20 One Day Internationals, and 25 IPL matches at the start of the season are eligible for the award and can only win the award once.

Award Evolution

• 2008: Best Under-19 Player
• 2009-2010: Best Under-23 Player
• 2011-2012: Rising Star of the Year
• 2013: Best Young Player of the Season
• 2014-Present: Emerging Player of the Year

Notable Winners

Mustafizur Rahman is the only foreign player to win this award, having claimed it in 2016 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Many Emerging Player winners have gone on to become Indian cricket stars, including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel, demonstrating the award's ability to identify future talent.

The Fair Play Award honors the team demonstrating the best sportsmanship, respect for opponents and officials, and adherence to cricket's spirit throughout the season.

Scoring System

After each match, on-field umpires and the third umpire award points (maximum 10 per match):

• 4 points: Upholding the spirit of the game
• 2 points: Respect for opponents
• 2 points: Respect for umpires
• 2 points: Respect for match officials and rules

The team with the highest average points per match wins the award.

Fair Play Award Winners

Most Fair Play Awards

Chennai Super Kings leads with 7 Fair Play Awards (including 2025), followed by:

• Rajasthan Royals: 3 times
• Mumbai Indians: 2 times
• Sunrisers Hyderabad: 3 times

CSK's dominance in this category reflects MS Dhoni's leadership philosophy emphasizing calm composure and respect for cricket's traditions, earning them the nickname "the most disciplined team in IPL."

IPL 2026 will be broadcast across multiple platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage for fans worldwide.

India - Television

Star Sports Network: The domestic streaming and pay television rights to the IPL from 2023 through 2027 are currently held by JioStar, with streaming rights held by JioHotstar, and pay television rights held by Star Sports.

Available channels:

• Star Sports 1 (English)
• Star Sports 1 HD (English)
• Star Sports 1 Hindi
• Star Sports 1 HD Hindi
• Star Sports 1 Tamil
• Star Sports 1 HD Tamil
• Star Sports 1 Telugu
• Star Sports 1 HD Telugu
• Star Sports 1 Kannada

India - Digital Streaming

JioHotstar: In November 2024, the IPL's media rights were unified when Disney merged its Indian television and streaming businesses with Reliance/Viacom18 to form JioStar. Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema then merged in February 2025 to form JioHotstar.

The unified platform offers:

• 4K streaming with Dolby Vision (premium plans)
• Multi-language commentary
• Interactive features and statistics
• Mobile, tablet, and smart TV apps

Subscription tiers start from ₹149 for three months of mobile-only access.

International Broadcasting

United Kingdom: Sky Sports holds broadcasting rights through 2027, with coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and NOW Sports streaming service.

Australia: Kayo Sports provides comprehensive IPL streaming with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

United States: Willow TV maintains exclusive rights for IPL broadcasts across cable, satellite, and streaming platforms.

Other Markets: YuppTV serves viewers in New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, and China through regional licensing agreements.

Broadcasting Rights Value

The IPL sold the rights in packages for domestic television, domestic digital, and international rights; the domestic and international rights packages fetched a total of approximately US$6.4 billion, causing the IPL to overtake the Premier League as the second highest-valued media property in sports worldwide, behind only the National Football League.

IPL captaincy demands tactical acumen, man-management skills, and the ability to perform under immense pressure. The tournament has produced legendary leaders who have shaped their franchises' identities.

Most Successful IPL Captains

MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

• Titles: 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
• Matches as Captain: 250+
• Win Percentage: ~60%
• Known for: Calm composure, finishing ability, tactical brilliance

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)

• Titles: 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)
• Matches as Captain: 158
• Win Percentage: 60.5%
• Known for: Aggressive batting, strategic field placements, big-match temperament

Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders)

• Titles: 2 (2012, 2014)
• Matches as Captain: 129
• Win Percentage: 51.2%
• Known for: Aggressive approach, backing young talent, fearless decision-making

Hardik Pandya (Gujarat Titans)

• Titles: 1 (2022)
• Matches as Captain: 38
• Win Percentage: 65.8%
• Known for: Leading from the front, impact all-rounder performances

Longest-Serving Captains

MS Dhoni holds the record for captaining a team in the most IPL matches (250+), followed by Rohit Sharma (158) and Virat Kohli (143). Dhoni's tenure with Chennai Super Kings from 2008-2025 (excluding the 2016-2017 suspension period) represents the longest continuous captain-franchise association in IPL history.

Captaincy Changes and Impact

IPL franchises frequently change captains seeking improved results. Notable mid-season changes include Mumbai Indians appointing Hardik Pandya over Rohit Sharma before IPL 2024, creating significant controversy. Kolkata Knight Riders' appointment of Shreyas Iyer as captain in 2024 led to their third title that same season.

The captaincy role involves managing international superstars, nurturing young talent, coordinating with coaches, and making split-second tactical decisions under the scrutiny of millions of fans.

The Orange Cap is awarded to the tournament's leading run-scorer, with the player wearing the cap whenever they're on the field. The award celebrates batting excellence throughout the grueling T20 tournament.

Orange Cap Winners by Year

Record Performances

Most Runs in a Single Season: Virat Kohli's 973 runs in 2016 remains the all-time record, featuring 4 centuries (also a record) and 7 fifties in 16 matches at an average of 81.08.

Multiple Orange Caps:

• David Warner: 3 times (2015, 2017, 2019)
• Chris Gayle: 2 times (2011, 2012)
• Virat Kohli: 2 times (2016, 2024)

Indian Players: Among Indian cricketers, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Uthappa, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav have claimed the Orange Cap.

Consistency: Jos Buttler's 863 runs in 2022 included 4 centuries, making him the second player after Virat Kohli to score four centuries in a single IPL season.

The Purple Cap recognizes the tournament's leading wicket-taker, worn by the player whenever they're on the field. The award celebrates bowling excellence in the batsman-dominated T20 format.

Purple Cap Winners by Year

Record Performances

Most Wickets in a Single Season: Dwayne Bravo (2013) and Harshal Patel (2021) share the record with 32 wickets each. Bravo's 2013 performance came with an economy of 7.95, while Harshal's 2021 campaign featured an economy of 8.14.

Multiple Purple Caps:

• Dwayne Bravo: 2 times (2013, 2015)
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 2 times (2016, 2017)
• Harshal Patel: 2 times (2021, 2024)

Indian Bowlers: Among Indian bowlers, Pragyan Ojha, Mohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mohammed Shami have won the Purple Cap.

Death Bowling Excellence: Harshal Patel's 2021 performance was particularly notable for his death-overs mastery, while Dwayne Bravo's variations and slower deliveries revolutionized death bowling strategies in T20 cricket.

Spin Dominance: Yuzvendra Chahal's 2022 Purple Cap win highlighted the continued importance of quality leg-spin in T20 cricket, while Imran Tahir's 2019 performance showcased the effectiveness of experienced wrist-spinners.