With MI, DC, PBKS, and RCB as top 4, explore the best predicted points table standings for all 10 teams for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Two high-scoring matches and three competitive matches – that has been the story of the Indian Premier League 2026 so far. After the first two matches, it felt as if 200+ scores would be the norm for the majority of the tournament. But a slightly challenging wicket in Guwahati, Chandigarh, and Lucknow has shown there is still something for the bowlers, and mere slogging won’t help the batters; they will have to play proper cricketing shots.
It has been a fantastic start for 5 teams, namely Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, RR, and RCB, who have registered a solid win in their first match. Coincidentally, three of these five teams were a part of the playoffs last season. With three teams continuing their successful run in this season as well, RR and DC are also off to a good start, and have built a strong core to challenge the top 4 Playoffs spots.
But which are the teams that are the top contenders for the top 4 Playoffs spot of IPL 2026? Do the teams like Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders still have it in them to challenge for the top 4? Well, let’s analyse the current squad composition for all 10 teams, and look at the best predicted points table standings for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
IPL 2026 Best Predicted Points Table Standings for All 10 Teams
#10: Chennai Super Kings
Batting Power: 8.25 | Bowling Power: 7.5 | Overall: 7.8
At the number 10 position, we should see the Chennai Super Kings, as it doesn’t look like a season where CSK may dominate. There are obvious weaknesses in the team, such as a lack of firepower in the batting, a lack of quality 4th and 5th bowlers, and a lack of experienced finishers. With so many red lines, a lot will depend on how Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, and Noor Ahmed perform. These six are the key players for CSK, but the other 5 are still inexperienced, and will need a lot of boost to be able to perform exceptionally.
#9: Lucknow Super Giants
Batting Power: 8.75 | Bowling Power: 7.25 | Overall: 8
For Number 9, we should see the Lucknow Super Giants team, and it is only their batting that can become their saviour on a few occasions. Overall, LSG’s batting is a strong unit, but the frontline bowling and batting depth is once again a letdown. LSG may go with an all-Indian bowling attack, which isn’t a healthy strategy. Similarly, LSG lack batting depth, and a good 6th bowler. These things don’t work in LSG’s favour, and hence they can at best win 4-5 matches and finish ninth.
#8: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Batting Power: 8.75 | Bowling Power: 7.5 | Overall: 8.1
For Number 8, we should see the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, and they are riding the same boat as LSG, but with a marginally better bowling lineup. For SRH, batting is at par with the LSG team with four strong batters, and good options till number 8. However, on the bowling front, Pat Cummins remains their best bowler, but he isn’t available for the first 7 matches. This makes the already weak bowling weaker. So, it’s pretty clear, SRH may score 250 regularly, but unless bowlers support, this team won’t have a competitive tournament.
#7: Kolkata Knight Riders
Batting Power: 8.25 | Bowling Power: 7.75 | Overall: 8.2
Number 7, we should see the Kolkata Knight Riders, and injuries is the right word to define the team. Be it Harshit Rana, Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, or Cameron Green in the bowling, the KKR team has so far lost a lot of their key bowlers due to injury or forced rule-outs. Add to it the missing form of Varun Chakravarthy or Sunil Narine. While bowling looks out of place for KKR, the batting is still a strong area, with match winners like Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, etc., taking charge.
#6: Gujarat Titans
Batting Power: 8.1 | Bowling Power: 9.25 | Overall: 8.5
Number 6 finish should belong to the Gujarat Titans, and will this finally be the year where their fragile batting lineup gets exposed? Remove the top 3, Sudharsan, Gill, and Buttler, and there is not a single reliable batter who can not only carry the innings, but also provide a strong finish. However, this has been the case with GT for the last few years now, and it is their solid bowling lineup that always comes to their rescue. So, can the strong bowling lineup once again provide cushion to the fragile batting lineup? Well, it will be interesting to see.
#5: Rajasthan Royals
Batting Power: 9.25 | Bowling Power: 8.4 | Overall: 8.6
For number 5 finish, we should see a revamped Rajasthan Royals team. Under the leadership of Riyan Parag, the RR team seem to have revived itself. The team combination looks good, and asking someone like Dhruv to bat above Riyan is a selfless decision in itself. The loss of Sam Curran may hurt them for batting depth, but the addition of Nandre Burger gives them more power in the bowling. This is one team that can just challenge for the top 4 spot, but does it have it in them to challenge the likes of RCB, PBKS, DC, etc?
#4: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Batting Power: 9.3 | Bowling Power: 8.5 | Overall: 8.9
Moving on to the Strongest Playoff contender, and for number 4, we should see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team. This could surprise a few, but the bowling lineup has taken a beating with Hazlewood missing a few matches, and Yash Dayal not there. With these two missing most of the matches, the bowling could be a problematic area for RCB. The batting looks stronger, but the lack of form of Salt, David, and Jitesh could be a worry. Overall, RCB should still make it to the top 4, but the road won’t be as easy as IPL 2025.
#3: Punjab Kings
Batting Power: 8.75 | Bowling Power: 9.25 | Overall: 9
Coming to the top 3, the Punjab Kings should finish in this position most likely, and they continue the golden run that they had seen in IPL 2025. The team is almost a replica of IPL 2025, with Coope Connolly replacing Josh Inglis. Connolly is highly rated by Ricky Ponting, and this was seen in the first match itself. With almost all bases covered, PBKS are in no danger of missing a Playoffs spot. The only risk this team carries is dependency on uncapped players; otherwise they are a pretty competent side.
#2: Delhi Capitals
Batting Power: 8.75 | Bowling Power: 9.5 | Overall: 9.2
Number 2 in the Standings may surprise a few, but the Delhi Capitals have all the ingredients to finish as the 2nd best Team of the tournament. For starters, Delhi Capitals arguably have the best bowling attack, with the likes of Starc, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel – all A-grade bowlers being there. Similarly, there is a solid batting core comprising KL Rahul, Pathum Nisaanka, Nitish Rana, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Captain Axar Patel himself. Given such a solid team combination, expect Delhi Capitals to finish in the top 4 for sure.
#1: Mumbai Indians
Batting Power: 9.5 | Bowling Power: 9.3 | Overall: 9.4
Number 1 in the rankings should be the Mumbai Indians, and there should not even be a debate on this. Be it their batting lineup or bowling lineup, the MI team doesn’t seem to have any gap. Right from a solid batting lineup comprising Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Sherfane Rutherford, to the bowling lineup comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, etc., MI seems to have ticked all the boxes this season. For MI, it will only boil down to playing to full potential. Cause that is the only way this team will end up on the losing side.
Thanks for reading! Looking at the IPL 2026 Points table standings, which are your top 4 teams? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com, or mention them in the comments section below.