The 2026 IPL features ten franchises spread across India. Below is the team-by-team editorial snapshot our fantasy desk uses when evaluating matchups. We update these breakdowns after every auction window and every trade announcement.
| Team | City | Home ground | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Chennai | M. A. Chidambaram | 5 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Mumbai | Wankhede Stadium | 5 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Kolkata | Eden Gardens | 3 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi International | 1 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Jaipur | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 1 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 1 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | 0 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Mohali | Mullanpur (PCA) | 0 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium | 1 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Lucknow | BRSABV Ekana Stadium | 0 |
How to use team context for fantasy
The team a player represents matters less for captain selection than recent form, but it drives two decisions: which team stacks to build around (a CSK vs MI fixture means both top orders are in play), and which bench players to consider as differentials (a third spinner playing at Chepauk is more valuable than the same player playing at Wankhede).
Title favourites and dark horses
Bookmakers historically split the IPL favourites between the four most-titled franchises (CSK, MI, KKR, RCB) and the two newest (GT, LSG). For fantasy purposes, the favourites carry the heaviest captain ownership — meaning that differentials picked against the favourite team (bowlers from the underdog, for instance) often deliver better ROI in head-to-head contests.
Frequently asked questions
This varies by season and by squad composition. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad have typically had the deepest top orders in recent years, but check the latest squad news before the auction lock.
Yes. Pitch behaviour at each home ground is a strong indicator for picking bowlers and captains. Spinners are more valuable at Chennai, Mohali and Lucknow; fast bowlers more valuable at Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
Maximum four overseas players in any XI. Most teams play three or four depending on matchup.
Filed by IPL Live Fantasy editorial desk · Updated 20 July 2026.