10CRIC Guide: How IPL Works – Format, Rules & Team Structure Explained

Introduction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a cricket tournament — it is a global phenomenon that captivates hundreds of millions of fans every single year. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has redefined how cricket is played, watched, and experienced. With its explosive Twenty20 format, superstar line-ups, and high-octane match-day atmospheres, the IPL sits at the intersection of sport, entertainment, and big business.

For fans who want to go beyond just watching and get deeper into the action — whether through fantasy leagues, cricket analysis, or IPL betting — understanding the tournament’s format, rules, and team structure is absolutely essential.

That’s exactly where 10CRIC comes in. As India’s premier online cricket betting and gaming platform, 10CRIC is the go-to destination for cricket fans looking to engage with IPL on a deeper level. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how the IPL works — from the auction system and team structures to match formats and playoff rules.

What Is the IPL? A Brief Overview

The Indian Premier League is a professional Twenty20 cricket league organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Launched in 2007 and first played in 2008 under the visionary leadership of Lalit Modi, the IPL transformed cricket into a franchise-based sporting spectacle inspired by sporting leagues like the NFL and EPL.

The league features city-based franchise teams owned by private entities — including Bollywood celebrities, business tycoons, and multinational corporations. Each season, the world’s best cricketers from India and across the globe compete in a roughly 70-match tournament spanning two months, typically held between March and May.

The IPL Team Structure: Franchises, Owners & Squads

How Many Teams Are in the IPL?

As of the 2023 season, the IPL features 10 franchise teams. The league originally started with 8 teams and has expanded over the years. The current 10 teams are:

• Mumbai Indians (MI) – One of the most successful franchises with 5 titles
• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Legendary squad known for consistent performances
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Home to global superstars, perennial fan favourites
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Two-time champions, owned in part by Shah Rukh Khan
• Delhi Capitals (DC) – Formerly Delhi Daredevils, consistently competitive
• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Champions in 2016, known for spin-heavy strategies
• Rajasthan Royals (RR) – The inaugural 2008 IPL champions
• Punjab Kings (PBKS) – High-scoring team from northern India
• Gujarat Titans (GT) – Dominant new entry, winning back-to-back titles in 2022 & 2023
• Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – New franchise added in 2022, immediate impact players

Squad Size and Composition Rules

Each IPL team can retain a maximum squad of 25 players. Within that squad, specific rules govern team composition:

• A minimum of 18 Indian players must be in each squad
• A maximum of 8 overseas (foreign) players are allowed per squad
• Only 4 overseas players can play in any single match XI
• At least 4 players under the age of 22 must be part of each squad (uncapped Indian players)

These rules ensure that the IPL remains a platform for nurturing Indian cricket talent while also bringing in world-class international names to elevate the competition.

The IPL Auction: Building Your Dream Team

One of the most unique — and thrilling — aspects of the IPL is the Player Auction system. Unlike most domestic leagues where players are assigned to regional teams, the IPL auction sees franchise owners bid against each other to secure the cricketers they want.

How the Retention System Works

Before each auction, franchises are allowed to retain a limited number of players from their previous squads. The retention rules can vary slightly by season, but generally:

• Teams may retain up to 4-5 players (combinations of capped and uncapped Indians, plus overseas players)
• Retained players come with pre-determined salary deductions from the team’s auction purse
• Players not retained enter the auction pool where any franchise can bid for them

The Auction Purse

Each franchise is given an equal auction purse — a budget they must work within to build their squad. For recent seasons, this purse has been set at approximately INR 90–100 crore (roughly $11–12 million USD). Teams must buy at least 18 players and cannot exceed 25. Strategic bidding, smart retention decisions, and reading the auction room are all critical skills for IPL team management.

IPL Match Format: The T20 Rulebook

Twenty20 Cricket Basics

Every IPL match is played in the Twenty20 (T20) format, where each team faces exactly 20 overs (120 balls). This short format is designed for fast-paced, high-scoring, entertainment-first cricket. Here are the key rules:

• Each innings consists of 20 overs per team
• Each over contains 6 legitimate deliveries bowled by a single bowler
• No single bowler can bowl more than 4 overs in an innings
• The team scoring the most runs across their innings wins the match
• In the event of a tie, a Super Over (one over per side) is used as a decider

Powerplay Rules

The first 6 overs of each innings constitute the Powerplay period. During the Powerplay:

• Only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle
• This restriction heavily favours batting teams, encouraging aggressive stroke play
• The Powerplay is one of the most bet-upon phases in IPL matches due to its high volatility

DLS Method and Rain Interruptions

When matches are interrupted by rain or poor light, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is applied to calculate revised targets. Matches must complete a minimum number of overs to count as official results, which can significantly impact both standings and live betting markets — something 10CRIC handles with seamless market suspensions and updates.

The IPL League Stage: Group Phase Explained

The IPL season begins with the League Stage, also known as the group phase or round-robin stage. All 10 teams compete against each other across approximately 70 league matches, with each team playing 14 matches in total — 7 at home and 7 away.

Points System

Teams accumulate points based on match results during the league stage:

Net Run Rate (NRR) is used as a tiebreaker when teams finish the league stage on equal points. NRR is calculated based on the difference between runs scored per over and runs conceded per over across all matches in the tournament.

The IPL Playoffs: Road to the Trophy

The top 4 teams after the league stage advance to the IPL Playoffs. The playoff structure uses a unique two-chance format designed to give the top two teams a significant advantage.

Qualifier 1 (Q1)

The 1st-place team faces the 2nd-place team. The winner advances directly to the IPL Final. The loser gets a second chance in Eliminator 2.

Eliminator (EL)

The 3rd-place team faces the 4th-place team in a knockout match. The loser is eliminated from the tournament. The winner advances to Qualifier 2.

Qualifier 2 (Q2)

The loser of Q1 faces the winner of the Eliminator. This is another knockout match — the winner advances to the IPL Final. The loser is eliminated.

The IPL Final

The two remaining teams compete in the IPL Final for the coveted trophy. The winner is crowned the IPL Champion for that season.

Key IPL Roles: Captains, Impact Players & Support Staff

The Captain’s Role

The team captain is arguably the most important strategic position in IPL cricket. Captains set field placements, manage bowling rotations, decide batting orders, and make critical in-match decisions. Legendary IPL captains like MS Dhoni (CSK), Rohit Sharma (MI), and Hardik Pandya have shown how transformative excellent captaincy can be.

The Impact Player Rule

Introduced in the 2023 IPL season, the Impact Player rule is a game-changer. Each team is allowed to substitute one player during an innings — this substitute ‘Impact Player’ can bat or bowl just like a regular member of the XI. This tactical innovation adds a new dimension to match strategy and has become a key factor in IPL betting markets.

Team Support Staff

Behind every successful IPL franchise is a world-class support team including head coaches, batting coaches, bowling coaches, fielding specialists, sports psychologists, and data analysts. The combination of cricketing talent and analytical excellence is what separates champions from contenders.

Why 10CRIC Is the Ultimate IPL Companion

Understanding how the IPL works is only the first step. To truly immerse yourself in cricket’s biggest domestic tournament, you need a platform that matches your passion — and that platform is 10CRIC.

• Live IPL Match Betting: 10CRIC provides real-time markets for every IPL game, including ball-by-ball in-play options
• Expert Cricket Analysis: 10CRIC’s editorial team publishes daily match previews, team news, and IPL prediction content
• Competitive Odds: 10CRIC consistently offers some of the best IPL odds in the market, giving bettors exceptional value
• IPL-Specific Promotions: From welcome bonuses to season-long cashback offers, 10CRIC runs exclusive IPL promotions throughout the tournament
• Mobile-First Platform: 10CRIC’s mobile app is optimised for cricket fans who want instant access to live markets during matches
• Responsible Gaming: 10CRIC is committed to safe, responsible betting practices with deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and 24/7 customer support

Whether you are a first-time cricket fan trying to understand IPL rules, or an experienced bettor looking for the sharpest IPL odds, 10CRIC is your all-in-one destination for IPL engagement.

Conclusion: Master the IPL with 10CRIC

The IPL is a beautifully complex tournament that rewards knowledge. From the intricacies of the player auction and squad composition rules, to the tactical nuances of T20 cricket and the playoff format — every aspect of the league adds layers of depth and excitement for fans.

By understanding how IPL teams are built, how matches are structured, and how the road to the final is paved, you become a more informed and engaged cricket fan. And when you pair that knowledge with the tools, markets, and insights available on 10CRIC, you elevate your entire IPL experience. Sign up with 10CRIC today and get ready to experience the IPL like never before — with live markets, expert tips, and exclusive promotions running all season long.