IPL 2026 features 10 teams — Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals. Widely regarded as the biggest T20 league in the world, the tournament features a perfect blend of exciting young Indian talent and experienced international stars.
Punjab Kings kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium, finally ending their difficult six-match losing streak.
Batting first, Lucknow Super Giants posted 196/6 in 20 overs, thanks largely to a brilliant 72 from Josh Inglis and a quickfire 43 by Ayush Badoni. Yuzvendra Chahal was the standout bowler for Punjab Kings with impressive figures of 2/25.
Punjab’s chase did not begin smoothly as Mohammed Shami struck early, reducing PBKS to 61/2. However, skipper Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh completely changed the momentum of the game with a magnificent 140-run partnership for the third wicket.
Prabhsimran played an aggressive knock of 69 from just 39 balls, while Shreyas anchored the chase brilliantly and registered his maiden IPL century. The PBKS captain remained unbeaten on 101 off 51 deliveries and sealed the victory in style with a massive six in the 18th over.
The crucial victory helped Punjab Kings move into the top four of the IPL 2026 points table, while Delhi Capitals were officially knocked out of the playoff race.
The IPL league stage follows the same format introduced in IPL 2023, where the 10 teams are divided into two groups. Each team plays the sides in its own group twice and the teams in the other group once. At the end of the league phase, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams play in Qualifier 1, while teams placed third and fourth compete in the Eliminator. The loser of Qualifier 1 then faces the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2, with the winner advancing to the final. In case teams finish level on points, net run rate serves as the tie-breaker.
IPL 2026 Points Table After LSG vs PBKS
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
| 1 | Gujarat Titans | 14 | 10 | 4 | 20 | 1.102 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 0.912 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 0.764 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 0.215 |
| 5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 14 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 0.103 |
| 6 | Mumbai Indians | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0.056 |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | -0.021 |
| 8 | Lucknow Super Giants | 14 | 6 | 8 | 12 | -0.441 |
| 9 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 5 | 9 | 10 | -0.612 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 4 | 10 | 8 | -0.915 |
