Indian Premier League

Overview

The Indian Premier League is a professional Twenty20 franchise league organised by the BCCI and first played in 2008. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the reigning champions after beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the 2026 final.

The BCCI launched the IPL on 13 September 2007, as the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 began, with Lalit Modi leading the project. It came shortly after the unrecognised Indian Cricket League had been launched, and the BCCI responded by banning players who joined that rebel league. Eight franchises were sold at an auction on 24 January 2008, and Rajasthan Royals won the first season by beating Chennai Super Kings in the final.

The league has changed shape several times. Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors India joined in 2011, but Kochi was terminated after one season and Pune withdrew in 2013. Deccan Chargers, the 2009 champions, were terminated in 2012 and replaced by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons from 2016, and Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants joined in 2022 to take the league to ten teams.

Several seasons were played partly or wholly outside India: South Africa in 2009, the UAE for the opening matches of 2014, the UAE in 2020, and the UAE for the second half of 2021. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have won five titles each and Kolkata Knight Riders three. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first title in 2025 and retained it in 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

How it works

Ten teams are split into two groups of five by draw, and each plays 14 group-stage matches. The top four teams then reach the playoffs: Qualifier 1 between the top two, an Eliminator between third and fourth, a Qualifier 2 and then the final, for 74 matches in all. Each team can use an "impact player" substitute, and bowlers have been allowed two bouncers an over since 2024.

Who has won it most?

Titles won by each team across all 19 editions.

Chennai Super Kings 5 titles

2023, 2021, 2018, 2011, 2010
Mumbai Indians 5 titles

2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013
Kolkata Knight Riders 3 titles

2024, 2014, 2012
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2 titles

2026, 2025
Rajasthan Royals 1 title

2008
Deccan Chargers 1 title

2009
Sunrisers Hyderabad 1 title

2016
Gujarat Titans 1 title

2022

Winners by year

Newest first.

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Host	Result
2026	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Gujarat Titans	India	Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 5 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Vaibhav SooryavanshiFinal played on 31 May 2026; Virat Kohli was Player of the Match. Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the third team to win consecutive titles. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) scored the most runs (776) and Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) took the most wickets (29).
2025	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Punjab Kings	India	Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 runsPlayer of the tournament: Suryakumar YadavRoyal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden title. The season was suspended on 9 May 2025 during the India-Pakistan conflict and resumed on 17 May; the final was played on 3 June.
2024	Kolkata Knight Riders	Sunrisers Hyderabad	India	Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Sunil Narine
2023	Chennai Super Kings	Gujarat Titans	India	Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets (DLS method)Player of the tournament: Shubman GillFinal played on the reserve day; Chennai's chase was shortened to 15 overs under the DLS method.
2022	Gujarat Titans	Rajasthan Royals	India	Gujarat Titans won by 7 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Jos ButtlerGujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants joined; Gujarat won the title in their first season.
2021	Chennai Super Kings	Kolkata Knight Riders	India and United Arab Emirates	Chennai Super Kings won by 27 runsPlayer of the tournament: Harshal PatelSuspended in India in May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic; the remaining matches were played in the UAE. Punjab Kings were renamed from Kings XI Punjab before this season.
2020	Mumbai Indians	Delhi Capitals	United Arab Emirates	Mumbai Indians won by 5 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Jofra ArcherPlayed in the UAE because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019	Mumbai Indians	Chennai Super Kings	India	Mumbai Indians won by 1 runPlayer of the tournament: Andre Russell
2018	Chennai Super Kings	Sunrisers Hyderabad	India	Chennai Super Kings won by 8 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Sunil NarineChennai Super Kings returned after a two-season suspension.
2017	Mumbai Indians	Rising Pune Supergiant	India	Mumbai Indians won by 1 runPlayer of the tournament: Ben StokesRising Pune Supergiant were a temporary franchise that played in 2016 and 2017 while Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended.
2016	Sunrisers Hyderabad	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	India	Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 8 runsPlayer of the tournament: Virat KohliRunner-up played as Royal Challengers Bangalore at the time.
2015	Mumbai Indians	Chennai Super Kings	India	Mumbai Indians won by 41 runsPlayer of the tournament: Andre Russell
2014	Kolkata Knight Riders	Punjab Kings	India and United Arab Emirates	Kolkata Knight Riders won by 3 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Glenn MaxwellThe opening 20 matches were played in the UAE because of India's general elections. Runner-up played as Kings XI Punjab at the time.
2013	Mumbai Indians	Chennai Super Kings	India	Mumbai Indians won by 23 runsPlayer of the tournament: Shane WatsonSunrisers Hyderabad replaced Deccan Chargers this season.
2012	Kolkata Knight Riders	Chennai Super Kings	India	Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Sunil Narine
2011	Chennai Super Kings	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	India	Chennai Super Kings won by 58 runsPlayer of the tournament: Chris GayleTen teams this season. Runner-up played as Royal Challengers Bangalore at the time.
2010	Chennai Super Kings	Mumbai Indians	India	Chennai Super Kings won by 22 runsPlayer of the tournament: Sachin Tendulkar
2009	Deccan Chargers	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	South Africa	Deccan Chargers won by 6 runsPlayer of the tournament: Adam GilchristDeccan Chargers are a defunct franchise; Sunrisers Hyderabad replaced them from 2013. Runner-up played as Royal Challengers Bangalore at the time. Held in South Africa because of India's general elections.
2008	Rajasthan Royals	Chennai Super Kings	India	Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wicketsPlayer of the tournament: Shane WatsonInaugural season, eight teams.

Records & facts

Most titles: Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (5 each)
Most runs (career): Virat Kohli, 9,336 (2008-2026)
Most wickets (career): Yuzvendra Chahal, 233 (2013-2026)
Most runs in a season (Orange Cap record): Virat Kohli, 973 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2016
Most wickets in a season (Purple Cap record): 32 each by Harshal Patel (RCB, 2021) and Dwayne Bravo (CSK, 2013)
Highest team total: 287/3, Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bengaluru, 15 April 2024
Lowest team total: 49, Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, 23 April 2017
Highest individual score: 175* by Chris Gayle, RCB v Pune Warriors India, Bengaluru, 23 April 2013
Most sixes (career): Chris Gayle, 357
Fastest century: Chris Gayle, off 30 balls
Best bowling figures: 6/12 by Alzarri Joseph, Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 6 April 2019
Highest successful chase: 265 by Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals, New Delhi, 25 April 2026

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