Everyone is looking for the latest ipl cricket scores, but honestly, the vibe around the 2026 season is unlike anything we’ve seen. Usually, by mid-January, we're just talking about auction leftovers. Not this time. With the 2026 Indian Premier League set to kick off on March 26, the cricket world is currently buzzing over the massive structural shifts and the shadow of last year’s historic finish.
Remember how RCB finally did it? After 18 years of "Ee Sala Cup Namde" memes and heartbreak, Virat Kohli finally got his hands on that trophy in June 2025. They beat Punjab Kings by a narrow 6 runs in Ahmedabad. It changed the math for 2026. Now, every score matters more because the league is expanding to a grueling 84 matches.
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What the 2025 Results Mean for the Latest IPL Cricket Scores
If you want to understand where the 2026 scores are headed, you have to look at how the 2025 season wrapped up. It wasn't just about the trophy. We saw a total shift in power.
Chennai Super Kings, the perennial heavyweights, finished dead last in 2025. 10th place. Let that sink in. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan from Gujarat Titans absolutely dominated the charts with 759 runs. When the first ball of the 2026 season is bowled at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium—provided the KSCA gets the full safety green light—those are the numbers everyone will be trying to chase.
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are coming in with Rajat Patidar as captain and Andy Flower at the helm. They aren't the hunters anymore. They're the hunted.
The Big Money and New Faces
The auction in Abu Dhabi last month was basically a fever dream. KKR didn't just spend money; they broke the bank.
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They dropped ₹25.20 crore on Cameron Green. That is a record for an overseas player, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s previous high. They also spent ₹18 crore on the Sri Lankan slinger Matheesha Pathirana. When you see the KKR scores this season, expect them to be heavily influenced by these two.
Interestingly, some big names like Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan struggled to find homes initially, though CSK eventually snatched up Sarfaraz for a bargain.
Predicting the 2026 Points Table Shuffle
With 10 teams and 84 matches, the endurance required is insane. The schedule, spanning from March 26 to May 31, means teams will be playing through peak Indian summer heat more frequently than ever.
- Defending Champs: RCB (Captain: Rajat Patidar)
- The Challengers: Punjab Kings (Captain: Shreyas Iyer)
- The Powerhouse: Mumbai Indians (Captain: Hardik Pandya)
- The Comeback Kids: CSK (Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad)
Don't expect the latest ipl cricket scores to follow the old patterns. The "big three" (MI, CSK, KKR) have all undergone massive leadership or squad overhauls. Rishabh Pant is now leading Lucknow Super Giants, while Axar Patel has taken the reins at Delhi Capitals.
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Why the Venue Matters This Year
There is a lot of talk about the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After the tragic stampede during the 2025 title celebrations, the BCCI has been extra cautious. RCB has even turned to AI-based security systems to ensure they can host their home games. If the scores start coming in from neutral venues instead of the tiny, high-scoring Chinnaswamy, expect the average first-innings total to drop from 200+ to something around 175.
The Current Pulse: WPL vs. IPL Prep
While we wait for the March 26 opener, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is currently providing the actual latest ipl cricket scores—well, WPL scores—to keep fans occupied. As of today, January 18, 2026, the RCB women are mirroring the men’s success, sitting at the top of the table with 4 wins from 4 matches.
Smriti Mandhana just led them to an 8-wicket win over Delhi Capitals yesterday. This winning culture in Bengaluru is something that might carry over into the men's season.
Actionable Strategy for Following the 2026 Season
To stay ahead of the curve this year, don't just look at the final score. The new 84-match format means "Net Run Rate" (NRR) will be the deciding factor much earlier in the tournament.
- Track the Powerplay: In the 2025 season, teams that scored 60+ in the first six overs won 72% of their matches.
- Watch the Uncapped Players: Keep an eye on Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. These guys fetched over ₹14 crore each at the auction. Their performances will dictate if their teams' massive investments pay off.
- Monitor the Heat: With the tournament extending late into May, teams with better squad depth (like SRH and GT) usually perform better as the regular starters get fatigued.
Keep your eyes on the official IPL app or reputable sports news sites for ball-by-ball updates. The 2026 season is basically a marathon disguised as a sprint, and the first month will be all about seeing who survives the new, longer format.
The transition from the traditional 74 matches to 84 is a massive test of bench strength. Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, who spent ₹13 crore on Liam Livingstone, are banking on versatile all-rounders to bridge the gap.
Make sure to adjust your fantasy teams early. The 2026 scores will likely favor bowlers who can operate in the death overs, as the extra matches will lead to more tired pitches that offer turn and grip later in the season.