The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence shortly, featuring a total of 10 franchises competing for the prestigious trophy. While the league has seen dominant performances from several teams over the years, three franchises—Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants—are still in pursuit of their first-ever championship, while according to league records, Punjab and Delhi have been part of the tournament since its inception in 2008, marking an 18-year wait for a title. The quest for the maiden trophy remains a central narrative for these teams as they prepare for the new season.
Dominance of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians
In the history of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have established themselves as the most successful franchises. According to official data, both teams have secured five titles each. Chennai Super Kings, under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has maintained a consistent record of reaching the playoffs, while Mumbai Indians achieved their five titles under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Their dominance has set a high benchmark for other teams in the league. Both franchises will once again be among the favorites as they aim for a record-breaking sixth title in the upcoming edition.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru as Defending Champions
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was long categorized among the teams that had never won an IPL title. However, this changed in the previous season when the team secured the IPL 2025 trophy, ending their long-standing title drought. According to the official tournament schedule, RCB will begin the new season as the defending champions. Their opening match is scheduled against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The victory has provided a significant boost to the franchise and its supporters, proving that long-term persistence can lead to championship success in the highly competitive league environment.
The 18-Year Journey of Punjab and Delhi
Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals are two of the original eight franchises that participated in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Over the past 18 years, both teams have undergone significant structural changes, including rebranding efforts. Punjab Kings was formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, while Delhi Capitals operated under the name Delhi Daredevils. Despite these changes and various leadership transitions, the championship title has remained elusive. Punjab reached the final in 2014, and Delhi made its first final appearance in 2020, but both teams finished as runners-up on those occasions.
Lucknow Super Giants and the New Franchise Era
The IPL expanded in 2022 with the inclusion of two new teams: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT). While Gujarat Titans achieved immediate success by winning the title in their debut season, Lucknow Super Giants are still searching for their first trophy, while according to franchise performance metrics, LSG has shown consistency by qualifying for the playoffs in their initial years but has been unable to progress to the final. As they enter their fourth season, the focus remains on building a squad capable of breaking the deadlock and joining the list of IPL winners.
Tournament Format and Season Expectations
The current IPL structure involves 10 teams playing in a round-robin format followed by the playoffs. Out of these 10 teams, seven have already tasted championship success at least once. These include CSK, MI, KKR, RR, SRH, GT, and the defending champions RCB. For the remaining three teams—Punjab, Delhi, and Lucknow—the upcoming season represents another opportunity to secure their first title. According to league officials, the tournament will maintain its high standards of competition, with all teams having finalized their squads through the recent auction process to address previous gaps in their lineups.