The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 continues to deliver thrilling contests as teams battle for playoff spots in the world’s most competitive T20 league. The tournament features 10 franchises — 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 — with every side boasting a blend of exciting young Indian talent and experienced overseas stars.
Mumbai Indians produced a sensational run chase in Dharamsala to defeat Punjab Kings by six wickets in a last-ball thriller. Tilak Varma emerged as the star of the night with a blistering unbeaten 75 off just 33 balls, guiding MI to victory with one delivery remaining while chasing a daunting target of 201.
Ryan Rickelton provided the perfect start with a fluent 48, while Will Jacks finished unbeaten on 25 to support Tilak in the chase. The victory also marked a winning start for Jasprit Bumrah as captain in IPL cricket.
IPL 2026 follows a league-stage format similar to IPL 2023, with the 10 teams divided into two groups. Each team faces the other teams in its own group twice and teams from the opposite group once during the league stage.
At the end of the league phase, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams play in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the final. The teams finishing third and fourth compete in the Eliminator, while the loser of Qualifier 1 faces the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 for the remaining spot in the final.
Teams are ranked on the points table based on points earned, and if two teams finish level on points, Net Run Rate (NRR) becomes the deciding factor.
With this defeat, Punjab Kings remain fourth on the table with 13 points. Mumbai Indians, despite already being eliminated from playoff contention, moved to eight points from 12 matches.
IPL 2026 Points Table
| Position | Team | Matches | Points | Status |
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 12 | 16 | In Playoff Race |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans | 12 | 16 | In Playoff Race |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 12 | 14 | In Playoff Race |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 12 | 13 | In Playoff Race |
| 5 | Chennai Super Kings | 11 | 12 | In Playoff Race |
| 6 | Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 12 | In Playoff Race |
| 7 | Delhi Capitals | 12 | 10 | In Playoff Race |
| 8 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 12 | 9 | In Playoff Race |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | 12 | 8 | Eliminated |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants | 12 | 6 | Eliminated |
