This is Part 5 of Sports Explained, our 12-part series of simple guides to the rules of the sports Indians love. New here? Start with Part 1: Cricket Formats, or read the previous part, Part 4: The DLS Method.
Since 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown into one of the richest sports leagues in the world. Here is how it works, from the auction table to the final.
The teams
Ten franchises take part: Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants.
The season
- Each team plays 14 league matches, earning two points for a win.
- The top four reach the playoffs:
- Qualifier 1: 1st vs 2nd. The winner goes straight to the final.
- Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th. The loser is out.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of the Eliminator.
- Final.
The auction
Teams build squads at a live auction, bidding against each other for players within a salary cap called the purse.
- A mega auction happens about every three years, when most squads are rebuilt. Before the 2025 mega auction, teams could keep up to six players through retentions and the Right to Match (RTM) card, with a purse of ₹120 crore.
- Mini auctions in between let teams fill gaps. The auction for IPL 2027 is expected to be a mini auction, with the retention deadline widely reported as mid-November 2026.
- Players who register for the auction and then pull out without good reason can be banned from the league for two seasons.
Squad rules
- Squads have 18 to 25 players.
- A maximum of eight overseas players per squad, and four in the playing XI.
- Retired international players can be retained as "uncapped" players after five years out of international cricket.
The Impact Player rule
Introduced in 2023, the Impact Player rule lets each team bring in a substitute during a match who can fully bat and bowl, replacing a player in the XI. It has increased scores but been criticised for reducing the role of all-rounders. The BCCI is reviewing whether to keep it for IPL 2027, with no decision announced as of mid-October 2026.
Other IPL-specific rules
- Bowlers can bowl two bouncers per over.
- Players can use DRS to review wides and no-balls, as well as dismissals.
- In evening games, the fielding side can request a change of ball in the second innings to deal with dew.
Who has won the most?
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have five titles each. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first title in 2025. Read about the captains behind those trophies in Ms Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
New to T20? Start with Part 1: Cricket Formats.
Rules are explained as they stand in October 2026. Governing bodies update their rules regularly, so check the latest official regulations for any competition.
Next in the series: Part 6: Kabaddi.
