Royal Challengers Bengaluru have taken over the lead in the IPL 2026 points race after a convincing five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The result marked the defending champions’ fourth win in their last five outings, lifting them to 8 points and edging them ahead of Rajasthan Royals in an early-season log that is still tightly bunched.
RCB’s rise has been powered by a standout run-rate, currently the best in the competition at +1.503. That figure reflects their balance so far, with performances that have been strong in both batting and bowling, keeping them firmly in command even beyond the win-loss column.
Rajasthan Royals are close behind with an NRR of +0.889, ensuring the battle for the top spot remains wide open just over two weeks into the tournament. With the margins small, the race is still capable of flipping quickly depending on results and how teams handle pressure games.
Quick facts: IPL 2026 points table after RCB vs LSG
- RCB top the table with 8 points and NRR +1.503.
- RR sit second with 8 points and NRR +0.889.
- Punjab Kings are the only unbeaten side: 7 points from four matches (three wins, one no result).
- SRH are fourth with 7 points and NRR +0.576.
- DC, GT, LSG and CSK are on 4 points each, split by net run rate.
- Mumbai Indians occupy ninth with 2 points (one win from four matches).
- Kolkata Knight Riders are bottom with 1 point, the only winless team after a washed-out match vs Punjab Kings.
For Lucknow Super Giants, the defeat was their third loss in five matches, leaving them in seventh place at the same spot they started the day. The setback also worsened their net run rate to -0.804, adding to the pressure on a campaign that has not yet found consistent rhythm.
Punjab Kings remain the tournament’s lone unbeaten team, holding third place with 7 points from four games. Their record includes three victories and one no result affected by rain, and that steady accumulation has kept them firmly in the upper bracket of the table.
Close middle-order scramble
The middle section of the standings is congested, with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings all on four points apiece. SRH currently sit fourth thanks to a better NRR of +0.576, while DC, GT, LSG and CSK follow in sequence based on marginal differences in their respective run-rate calculations.
Mumbai Indians are ninth, with just one win from four matches and 2 points in total. At the other end, Kolkata Knight Riders remain winless, occupying the bottom spot with a single point gained from a match against Punjab Kings that was abandoned due to rain.
Here is the latest IPL 2026 points table after the RCB vs LSG match:
1) RCB: 5 matches, W-L 4-1, NRR +1.503, Points 8
2) RR: 5 matches, W-L 4-1, NRR +0.889, Points 8
3) PBKS: 4 matches, W-L 3-0, NRR +0.720, Points 7 (1 no result)
4) SRH: 5 matches, W-L 3-2, NRR +0.576, Points 7
5) DC: 4 matches, W-L 2-2, NRR +0.322, Points 6
6) GT: 4 matches, W-L 2-2, NRR -0.029, Points 6
7) LSG: 5 matches, W-L 3-2, NRR -0.804, Points 4
8) CSK: 5 matches, W-L 3-2, NRR -0.846, Points 4
9) MI: 4 matches, W-L 1-3, NRR -0.772, Points 2
10) KKR: 5 matches, W-L 0-5, NRR -1.383, Points 1
