IPL format explained | Complete guide to the IPL 2023 format

Not sure what the IPL 2023 format is? Then you're in the right place, because below we outline everything you need to know to understand the IPL format 2023.

It's no secret that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world. With dozens of the world's top cricket players on display, as well as plenty of young Indian talent as well, it's a competition that is sure to entertain. Trouble is, the IPL format is often changing.

Read also: IPL playoffs format 2023 explained

How many teams are there in the IPL 2023? How does the IPL round robin 2023 work? What is the IPL playoff format? All these questions and more are answered in our IPL 2023 format explained guide.

IPL 2023 format explained: All you need to know

With 10 teams competing in the IPL this year, the current IPL 2023 format is made up of two broad stages: The round robin (also known as the group stage, or the league stage), and the playoffs.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 😉

A round of applause for the 🔝 four teams who have made it to the #TATAIPL 2023 Playoffs 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Lc5l19t4eE

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023

IPL round robin explained

To start the IPL 2023 season, teams will compete in a round robin stage for 70 matches.

How the IPL 2023 round robin will work is teams are divided into two group of five teams each. These are as follows:

Each team will participate in 14 matches during the IPL 2023 group stage.

They will play the other four teams in their group twice, once at home and once away. Also, they will only face four of the other group's teams once and the other team twice. The latest IPL 2023 format will make the tournament very interesting, as it will showcase some classic rivalries to the fans.

How IPL matches are calculated in 2023

The team rankings from the 70 matches throughout the round robin phase will be determined using the IPL points table system. This IPL points system is as follows:

• A win in the IPL is worth two points
• A drawn match or a no result is worth one point
• A loss is worth no points

When two or more teams are on level points in the IPL points table, then the IPL round robin format dictates that net run rate (NRR) will determine position on the points table.

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How net run rate is calculated in IPL 2023

It's a complicated looking number, but a simple concept.

In essence, net run rate is calculated by taking the average runs per over scored by a team, then dividing that by the average runs per over scored against them. If a team scores a lot of runs quickly, and let's not that many runs and slowly, then they'll have an excellent net run rate.

The IPL 2023 format means that NRR is very important, and often is the deciding factor between a team making the playoffs or not.

IPL playoffs format 2023 explained

After the 70 matches of the round robin stage have been concluded, the IPL points table will have determined its order.

From here, the top four teams move through to the IPL playoffs 2023.

These four sides then play a total of four different matches based on their ranking on the points table, in order to determine who competes in the IPL 2023 grand final. Here's what the IPL playoffs format 2023 looks like:

IPL Qualifier 1 Final

The first IPL playoffs match in 2023 will be the Qualifier 1 final.

This match is contested between the first and second placed teams on the IPL ladder. The winner of this match will move directly through to the IPL 2023 grand final, while the loser gets another chance to qualify in this IPL 2023 format.

IPL Eliminator Final

The remaining two teams who have made the IPL playoffs, who are ranked third and fourth on the IPL points table, will compete in the Eliminator Final.

This is a sudden death match, with the loser having their season ended, and the winner getting a chance to progress further in the IPL playoffs.

IPL Qualifier 2 Final

The final match in the IPL 2023 format used to determine who competes in the grand final is the Qualifier 2 Final.

This match is played between the loser of the Qualifier 1 Final, and the winner of the Eliminator Final. Again, this will be a sudden death match, with the loser going home, and the winner progressing to the IPL Grand Final.

IPL Grand Final

This is the match that decides it all. Two teams. One trophy. Regardless of whether the team got here through winning the Qualifier 1 Final, or took the long route through the Eliminator Final and Qualifier 2 Final, it's all about who performs on the day. Winner of the IPL Grand Final is crowned champion, and gets to lift the trophy.

Teams participating in the 2023 IPL

The following 10 teams are participating in IPL 2023 format:

• Mumbai Indians
• Chennai Super Kings
• Rajasthan Royals
• Punjab Kings
• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Delhi Capitals
• Royal Challengers Bangalore
• Lucknow Super Giants
• Gujarat Titans

The new rules introduced for the 2023 season

There are several new rules being implemented in the IPL 2023, some of which are major, and others are minor tweaks to the IPL format.

The most prominent of these new IPL rules is the Impact Player Rule. Here's all you need to know about this new rule in the IPL 2023:

Impact Player Rule in IPL 2023 explained

• An impact player can come onto the field as a substitute, and bat or bowl
• Each team gets to use one Impact Player per match, nominated by the captain as one of four subs prior to the match beginning
• This player must be Indian, unless less than four overseas players are named in the XI
• The Impact Player can be brought on at the end of an over, when a wicket falls, when a batsman retires, or before the start of an innings
• The replaced player cannot take any part in the remainder of the match
• An Impact Player is allowed to bowl their full quota of four overs, but can only bat if they replaced a player that has not yet batted

In essence, the Impact Player Rule is an excellent opportunity to add a tactical element to the IPL 2023 format. Specialist opening bowlers could be replaced by specialist death bowlers, or if a player is particularly out of form early in a match, they can be subbed.

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Other new rules in the IPL 2023:

• Each inning in the IPL 2023 will have two DRS.
• Regardless of whether the batters have crossed or not, the approaching batsman will take the strike unless it is the last ball of the over.
• If a club is unable to locate a suitable playing XI owing to COVID-19, the BCCI will endeavor to reschedule the game until later in the IPL 2023.
• If rescheduling is impossible, the IPL Technical Team will investigate the situation.
• If the Super Over or future Super Overs cannot be completed due to unforeseen circumstances, the club that ended higher in the league will be proclaimed the champion.

The IPL format 2023 also has a few other rules and regulations, such as using the Decision Review System (DRS), using a Super Over to determine a winner in case of a tie, and the ability for teams to make substitutions in certain situations.

History of the IPL format

Since its beginning in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) format has undergone a few adjustments. Here's a rundown of the IPL format's history:

The first IPL season was held in 2008, with eight teams competing in a round-robin format. Each team played the other twice (at home and away), and the top four teams advanced to the semi-finals.

In 2009, the IPL's second season was held in South Africa instead of India because of safety concerns. The format stayed unchanged from the previous year.

The IPL expanded to ten teams in 2010, and the competition was played in a double round-robin style, with each team playing the other teams twice. The top four teams advanced to the semi-finals.

In 2014, the IPL reverted to an eight-team structure, with the event being contested in a round-robin style, with each team playing the other teams twice. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs, which comprised two elimination games, a qualifier, and a championship game.

The IPL implemented a new playoff system in 2018, with the top two teams at the end of the league stage competing in the first qualifier. The first qualifier winner advances directly to the final, while the loser faces the winner of the eliminator in the second qualifier. The winner of the second qualifier advances to the championship game. 

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Apart from these format adjustments, the IPL has also implemented additional regulations over the years, including the Strategic Time Out, the use of the Decision Review System (DRS), and the introduction of a mid-season transfer window. The IPL continues to evolve and adapt to provide an exciting and competitive tournament for fans around the world.

Will the IPL 2023 format will rejuvenate the cricketing world? Tune in to find out.