IPL 2026 Points Table Shock: 14-Time Champions Struggle at Bottom, One-Time Winners Dominate Top Five

The IPL 2026 season has taken an unexpected turn early on, with the points table presenting a dramatic contrast between legacy and current form. Following Rajasthan Royals’ convincing 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians in Guwahati on April 7, the standings now highlight a surprising trend — the most successful teams in IPL history are languishing at the bottom, while comparatively less-decorated sides are leading the charge.

Giants with 14 Titles Combined in Trouble

Four of the league’s most successful franchises — Mumbai Indians (5 titles), Chennai Super Kings (5), Kolkata Knight Riders (3), and Gujarat Titans (1) — together boast 14 IPL trophies. Yet, all four find themselves in the lower half of the table.

Mumbai Indians sit at 6th place with 2 points from three matches and a net run rate of -0.715.
Kolkata Knight Riders are at 8th, with one washout and two defeats, struggling with a net run rate of -1.964.
Gujarat Titans occupy 9th place after losing both their matches.
Chennai Super Kings are at the bottom (10th), having lost all three games with a net run rate of -2.517.

This unexpected slump from historically dominant teams has reshaped the early playoff race.

Rajasthan Royals Lead the Charge

At the top of the table are Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions (2008), who have surged ahead with three consecutive wins. With 6 points and an impressive net run rate of 2.403, they currently sit comfortably in first place.

Punjab Kings, still chasing their maiden title, are placed second with 5 points from three matches and a healthy run rate of 0.637.

One-Time Champions Shine in Top Five

Interestingly, teams with only one IPL title — or even none — are dominating the top half:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the defending champions, are third with two wins in two matches and a strong net run rate of 2.501.
Delhi Capitals follow in fourth place, also unbeaten but slightly behind RCB on net run rate (1.170).
Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016 champions, round off the top five with one win in three matches and a net run rate of 0.275.

A Season of Upsets

The current standings underline the unpredictable nature of IPL 2026. Established powerhouses are struggling to find momentum, while emerging contenders and previously underperforming teams are capitalizing on the opportunity.