The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most-watched T20 cricket tournament in the world, but its format can confuse new fans: how do teams qualify, why does net run rate matter, and what is an Impact Player? This explainer covers the essentials so that you can follow every race for the IPL hub with confidence.
The league stage
The modern IPL features ten franchise teams. In the league stage each team plays 14 matches, a mix of home and away fixtures. Every match is a 20-overs-per-side T20 game, so a result is almost always decided on the day. The teams are split into two groups for scheduling, which determines how often they meet, but all ten sit in a single points table.
How the points table works
- Win: 2 points.
- Loss: 0 points.
- No result or tie that is not resolved: 1 point each.
Ties in the league stage are broken with a Super Over, so a drawn result is rare. Teams are ranked by points first. When teams are level, the next tie-breaker is the number of wins, and after that comes net run rate.
What is net run rate (NRR)?
Net run rate measures how convincingly a team has been winning. It is calculated as the team's average runs scored per over across the whole season, minus the average runs conceded per over. A team that regularly wins big, or chases down targets with plenty of overs to spare, builds a strong positive NRR. A heavy defeat drags it down.
That is why a team that is 14 points on the table may be placed above or below another team with the same points. In a tight race, one huge win or one batting collapse late in the group stage can decide who makes the top four.
The playoffs
The top four teams after the league stage advance to the playoffs, which use a Page-playoff-style system that gives the two best teams a second chance:
- 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. The winner goes to the final.
- Final: The two qualifying teams play for the trophy.
Finishing in the top two is a real advantage: it gives a team two chances to reach the final, while the third- and fourth-placed teams have no margin for error.
The Impact Player rule
Introduced in 2023, the Impact Player rule lets each team name a squad of substitutes at the toss. During the match, a team may bring one of those substitutes in to replace a player already in the XI, once per match, usually before the end of the 14th over of an innings. The replaced player takes no further part in the game.
Teams use this to add a specialist batter when chasing, bring in an extra bowler, or react to conditions. It has made squad depth more important and, in many matches, pushed team totals higher because deeper batting line-ups are possible.
Strategic timeouts and other rules
Each innings includes a strategic timeout, giving teams a short break to discuss plans. The league also uses the standard powerplay in the first six overs, where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams must also stay within limits on overseas players: no more than four in a playing XI.
What to watch for as the season progresses
In the first few weeks, wins matter most. As the table tightens, watch the net run rate column and remaining fixtures: a team on 12 points with an easy run-in can be safer than a team on 14 with a tough schedule. Bookmark the standings page to follow the race, and use our fan zone to predict matches with free virtual points.
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