The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Launched in 2008, the competition brings together Indian and international cricketers to represent city-based franchises. It has grown into one of the biggest competitions in franchise cricket, attracting global audiences through its fast-paced matches, star players and competitive format.
The IPL began with eight teams and expanded to ten franchises in 2022. Across its history, the tournament has produced several championship-winning sides, including Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden title in 2025 and successfully defended it in 2026, becoming only the third franchise to retain the IPL championship.
What Is the Indian Premier League?
The Indian Premier League is a franchise-based T20 cricket competition in which teams representing different Indian cities compete for the championship. The BCCI launched the tournament in 2008, and it has been held annually apart from exceptional circumstances that affected the schedule.
Each team builds its squad through player auctions and retention rules. The franchises feature Indian international players, domestic cricketers and overseas professionals, creating opportunities for players from different cricketing backgrounds to compete together.
The IPL follows the Twenty20 format, with each side receiving a maximum of 20 overs in a standard innings. Teams earn points during the league stage, and the leading four qualify for the playoffs. The season ends with a final that decides the IPL champion.
History of the Indian Premier League
The first IPL season took place in 2008, with eight teams competing for the inaugural championship. Rajasthan Royals won the title under Shane Warne’s captaincy after defeating Chennai Super Kings in the final. The victory established Rajasthan as the competition’s first champion.
Deccan Chargers won the 2009 edition, while Chennai Super Kings claimed consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011. Kolkata Knight Riders then won their first championship in 2012, followed by Mumbai Indians’ maiden title in 2013.
The competition continued to expand its history through new champions and changing franchise lineups. Sunrisers Hyderabad won in 2016, while the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings built successful title-winning records. Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants joined the tournament in 2022, taking the competition to ten teams.
Gujarat Titans won the title in their debut season in 2022, and Chennai Super Kings returned to the top in 2023. Kolkata Knight Riders won in 2024, ending a decade-long wait for their third championship. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won their first title in 2025 and repeated the achievement in 2026 by defeating Gujarat Titans in the final.
IPL Winners List From 2008 to 2026
The following table lists every IPL champion and runner-up from the inaugural season through 2026.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up |
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2014 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Punjab Kings |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | Rising Pune Supergiant |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | Gujarat Titans |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Punjab Kings |
| 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Gujarat Titans |
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have won five titles each, making them the most successful franchises in IPL history. Kolkata Knight Riders have three championships, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have two after their consecutive victories in 2025 and 2026.
Most Successful Teams in IPL History
Several franchises have established themselves through repeated championship victories. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings lead the title count, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also won multiple trophies.
| Team | IPL Titles | Winning Seasons |
| Mumbai Indians | 5 | 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 5 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 3 | 2012, 2014, 2024 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 | 2025, 2026 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1 | 2008 |
| Deccan Chargers | 1 | 2009 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 | 2016 |
| Gujarat Titans | 1 | 2022 |
Deccan Chargers won the 2009 title but are no longer an active IPL franchise. Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions also competed during the temporary suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in 2016 and 2017.
IPL Teams
The IPL featured ten franchises in the 2026 season. Each team represents a city or region and competes for the championship.
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful teams in IPL history, with five titles. The franchise won championships in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Its home ground is the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have won five IPL titles, matching Chennai Super Kings for the competition’s highest championship total. Their title-winning seasons were 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. The team plays its home matches at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders have won three IPL championships, in 2012, 2014 and 2024. The franchise represents Kolkata and plays at Eden Gardens, one of India’s most recognised cricket venues.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL championship in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in the final. They followed that victory with another title in 2026, beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets. The team plays at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, although venue arrangements can vary by season.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL season in 2008 under Shane Warne. The franchise represents Rajasthan and has played home matches in Jaipur and, in selected seasons, other venues.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the IPL in 2013 after the Deccan Chargers franchise was discontinued. The team won its first championship in 2016 and reached the final again in 2018 and 2024.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans entered the IPL in 2022 and won the championship in their debut season. They reached the final again in 2023 and 2026, finishing as runners-up in both campaigns.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals, formerly Delhi Daredevils, have competed in the IPL since 2008. Their best result came in 2020, when they reached the final against Mumbai Indians. The franchise plays its home matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings were originally known as Kings XI Punjab before changing their name in 2021. They reached the final in 2014 and 2025 but have not yet won the championship. Their home venue has included the stadium in New Chandigarh, alongside other grounds in selected seasons.
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants joined the IPL in 2022. The team reached the playoffs in its first two seasons, in 2022 and 2023, and represents Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Its home venue is the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
IPL Format and Rules
The IPL uses the Twenty20 format, with each team batting for up to 20 overs in a standard innings. The competition includes a league stage followed by playoffs and a final.
League Stage
The ten teams compete in the league stage, with each side playing 14 matches. The results determine the points table, and the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
Teams earn two points for a win, one point for a no-result or abandoned match, and no points for a defeat. Net run rate is used as a key tiebreaker when teams finish level on points.
Playoffs
The IPL playoffs use a four-team format:
- Qualifier 1: The teams finishing first and second play for a direct place in the final.
- Eliminator: The third- and fourth-placed teams compete, with the loser eliminated.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner for the remaining final place.
- Final: The winners of the two qualifying routes compete for the IPL title.
This format rewards teams that finish near the top of the league table by giving the first two sides an additional route to the final.
Indian Premier League 2026
The 2026 IPL season ran from March 28 to May 31, with ten teams competing across the league stage and playoffs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished the tournament as champions after defeating Gujarat Titans in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans batted first and scored 155/8. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased the target successfully, reaching 161/5 in 18 overs to win by five wickets with 12 balls remaining.
RCB’s victory secured their second IPL title and made them only the third franchise, after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to successfully defend the championship. The win also marked the first time RCB has won consecutive IPL titles.
IPL 2026 Awards and Leading Performers
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals had a standout season, scoring 776 runs and winning the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. He also received the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards.
Kagiso Rabada finished as the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets, earning the Purple Cap. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans also had productive seasons, finishing among the leading run-scorers with 732 and 722 runs, respectively.
Key IPL Records and Achievements
The IPL has produced several major team and individual achievements since 2008.
- Most IPL titles: Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, with five each.
- Most recent champions: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won in 2025 and 2026.
- First IPL champions: Rajasthan Royals in 2008.
- First team to win consecutive titles: Chennai Super Kings, in 2010 and 2011.
- 2022 champions: Gujarat Titans, in their debut season.
- 2026 Orange Cap: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with 776 runs.
- 2026 Purple Cap: Kagiso Rabada, with 29 wickets.
- 2026 final result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets.
Indian Premier League at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Indian Premier League |
| Abbreviation | IPL |
| Governing Body | Board of Control for Cricket in India |
| First Season | 2008 |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| 2026 Teams | 10 |
| 2026 Champion | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2026 Runner-up | Gujarat Titans |
| Most Successful Teams | Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings |
| Titles Held by Each | 5 |
| 2026 Orange Cap | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
| 2026 Purple Cap | Kagiso Rabada |
| 2026 Final Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
FAQs
Q. When did the IPL begin?
A. The IPL began in 2008.
Q. Who won the IPL in 2026?
A. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the 2026 title.
Q. Which teams have won the most IPL titles?
A. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have five titles each.
Q. How many teams played in the IPL in 2026?
A. Ten teams competed in the 2026 season.
Q. Who won the Orange Cap in IPL 2026?
A. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won the Orange Cap with 776 runs.
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