IPL 2026: Five Days of Fire. Matches, Standings, and Who’s Favoured to Win

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League is starting to bubble nicely not quite a Day 5 dustbowl yet, but definitely past the polite “leave outside off” phase. With roughly 15 matches played, the table is taking shape, and a few teams are already middling one straight to cover while others are edging nervously behind.

The next five days? Proper box-office cricket. Big clashes, pressure games, and a few sides already staring at a required run rate climbing faster than a T20 slog over midwicket.

The Current Standings

Rajasthan Royals sit comfortably at the summit, unbeaten after their opening fixtures with six points and a healthy Net Run Rate north of +2. They’ve started like a batter seeing it like a beach ball everything middled, nothing mistimed.

Punjab Kings follow closely, sitting on five points thanks to two wins and a no-result. Not quite flawless, but ticking along like a steady opening partnership.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are right in the mix with four points and a strong NRR. Early signs suggest they’re playing with the kind of freedom you usually only see in the death overs.

Also on four points are Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, although Lucknow’s negative NRR hints at a side that’s been winning, but only just more inside edges than clean drives.

Further down, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans are still very much in the hunt but they’ll want to shift gears soon before the asking rate gets out of hand.

At the tail end, Mumbai Indians are struggling for fluency with just one win, while Kolkata Knight Riders have had a stuttering start and are still searching for consistency. No one wants to be 20/3 in a T20 chase and that’s roughly where they are right now.

The Matches Ahead (April 10–14)

Match 16. Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, April 10, Guwahati

This is your headline act top-order fireworks guaranteed. Rajasthan have been flawless so far, while RCB look like a side that can post 200 in their sleep.

One correction here: there has been no major swap involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja both remain key figures for their respective franchises.

Expect a proper shootout. If RR are the composed accumulators, RCB are the guys swinging from ball one. Slight edge to RCB on pure firepower, but this could go down to the final over.

Match 17. Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, April 11, Mullanpur

Punjab come in as one of the form sides, while SRH have been a bit like a batter stuck between two shots not quite committing.

SRH’s top-order collapses have been a concern, even if the middle order has bailed them out before. Against a disciplined PBKS attack, that’s a risky game. Punjab start favourites.

Match 18. Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals, April 11/12

CSK are wobbling early is not quite a collapse, but definitely a few nervous prods outside off stump.

Delhi, meanwhile, have looked sharper, even in defeat. Their batting unit is finding rhythm, and they head into this one with momentum. On current form, DC edge it but you write off CSK at your own risk, especially at Chepauk where the pitch can turn like a Shane Warne highlight reel.

Match 19. Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans, April 12, Lucknow

Lucknow have built momentum with a couple of tight wins. The kind that feel like sneaking a single off the last ball. Gujarat are steady but not spectacular. At home, LSG should have the edge, especially if their bowling attack hits the right lengths.

Match 20. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, April 12, Wankhede

This is danger territory for Mumbai. Another loss and they’re deep into “net run rate calculator” season. Wankhede can still be a fortress, but RCB arrive with serious batting firepower. If MI don’t strike early, this could turn into a long evening of leather chasing willow.

Match 21. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, April 13, Hyderabad

RR will be eyeing a clean run through this stretch, while SRH are in must-win territory already.

If Rajasthan bat first and post big, this could get ugly. SRH can’t afford another top-order meltdown.

Match 22. Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, April 14, Chennai

This one has proper pressure written all over it. Two sides needing a result, badly.

Chepauk’s spin-friendly surface should suit CSK, and if they get their combinations right, they’ll fancy their chances. KKR, meanwhile, need someone to play the innings of the tournament just to steady the ship.

The Big Picture

At this stage, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru look like the most complete outfits balanced, in form, and playing with confidence.

One more correction: Cameron Green was not bought for ₹25.20 crore in this season, and that figure does not currently stand as the IPL record in 2026. So that claim needed a bit of a DRS review and it’s been overturned.

As for Kolkata Knight Riders, they’re already flirting with trouble. There’s time to recover as the league stage runs deep but the margin for error is shrinking faster than a required rate in the final overs.