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IPL tips and predictions: how the tournament and its four-team playoff work, the reigning champions and the markets worth backing.
The Indian Premier League is the biggest T20 competition in the world and one of the most heavily bet events on the Australian calendar, helped by start times that land in the Australian evening. This page covers how the tournament works, how the playoffs are decided and which markets are worth attention.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
When Is the IPL?
The IPL runs from late March to late May each year. Ten teams play a league stage, the top four advance to the playoffs, and the final is held in the last week of May. Matches start at 7:30pm or 3:30pm India time, which is roughly midnight and 8pm AEST, so the afternoon fixtures are the ones that suit Australian viewers.
The Reigning Champions
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the 2026 title, beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gujarat made 155 for 8 and RCB chased it in 18 overs with Virat Kohli 75 not out. It made RCB only the third side to successfully defend an IPL title.
How the IPL Playoffs Work
The four-team finals system gives the top two a second life, which matters a great deal for outright betting:
| Match | Who plays | What is at stake |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 1st v 2nd | Winner goes straight to the Final. Loser drops to Qualifier 2. |
| Eliminator | 3rd v 4th | Loser is knocked out. |
| Qualifier 2 | Q1 loser v Eliminator winner | Winner takes the second Final spot. |
| Final | Q1 winner v Q2 winner | The title. |
Finishing in the top two is worth far more than the ladder gap suggests: those sides need one win from two matches to reach the Final, while third and fourth must win three knockouts in a row.
IPL Betting Markets
- Outright winner. Priced before the auction and moving all season. Squad depth matters more than a hot start, because the league stage is long enough for form to regress.
- Match head-to-head. The core market. The toss is a genuine factor: chasing wins a clear majority of matches at several venues, so wait for it where you can.
- Total match runs. Venue-driven more than team-driven. Some grounds routinely produce 200-plus, others are low and slow.
- Top batsman and top bowler. Better value than head-to-head in lopsided fixtures. Openers dominate top-batsman markets simply because they face the most deliveries.
- Same game multi. The most popular IPL product in Australia. Combine a match winner with a top batsman and a total.
Where to Bet
Prices vary more between books on tournament outrights than on single matches, so it pays to hold a few accounts. Compare our best betting sites in Australia, or see the newest betting sites in Australia.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
FAQs
When does the IPL start?
Late March, running through to a final in the last week of May.
Who won the most recent IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the 2026 final in Ahmedabad to defend their title.
How many teams are in the IPL?
Ten. They play a league stage, and the top four go through to a four-match playoff.
What time is the IPL in Australia?
Evening matches start around midnight AEST and afternoon matches around 8pm AEST, so the afternoon fixtures are the practical ones for Australian viewers.
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