Mumbai Indians lead the IPL 2026 Fair Play Award standings with 41 points and an average of 10.25 after four matches, as of April 13, 2026.
Four teams (CSK, KKR, PBKS, and RR) are tied at 40 points with a perfect 10.00 average per match, trailing MI by just one point.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals sit at the bottom of the table with 33 points and an 8.25 average, which is a notable gap from the pack.
This article covers the full IPL 2026 Fair Play Award points table, how the scoring works, historical winners, and everything you need to know about this often-overlooked award.
IPL 2026 Fair Play Award Points Table
Here is the complete IPL 2026 Fair Play Award standings after each team has played four matches in the tournament.
| Position | Team | Matches | Total Points | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians | 4 | 41 | 10.25 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 4 | 40 | 10.00 |
| 3 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 40 | 10.00 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 4 | 40 | 10.00 |
| 5 | Rajasthan Royals | 4 | 40 | 10.00 |
| 6 | Gujarat Titans | 4 | 39 | 9.75 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 4 | 38 | 9.50 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 38 | 9.50 |
| 9 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 4 | 36 | 9.00 |
| 10 | Delhi Capitals | 4 | 33 | 8.25 |
Key Takeaways from the IPL 2026 Fair Play Standings
Here are some Key Takeaways from IPL 2026 Fair Play Standings:
Mumbai Indians Set the Benchmark Early
MI are the only team averaging above a perfect 10 this season, sitting at 10.25 per match.
That means in at least one game, the umpires gave them a full 10 out of 10 and more than the standard allocation in another.
Under Hardik Pandya‘s captaincy, Mumbai seem to be channeling their inner CSK when it comes to on-field composure.
The Four-Way Tie at 40 Points
CSK, KKR, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals are all locked at 40 points with a 10.00 average.
For CSK, this is business as usual. They have won the Fair Play Award a record seven times.
For KKR, however, this is a pleasant surprise. They have historically finished near the bottom of these standings.
In fact, KKR finished last in the IPL 2025 Fair Play standings with an average of just 9.00.
How Is the IPL Fair Play Award Calculated?
The IPL Fair Play Award is based on a structured scoring system managed by match officials after every game.
Three umpires (two on-field and the third umpire) evaluate both teams after each match and assign points across four categories.
| Criteria | Max Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit of the Game | 4 | 40% |
| Respect for Opposition | 2 | 20% |
| Respect for Laws of Cricket | 2 | 20% |
| Respect for Umpires | 2 | 20% |
| Total per Match | 10 | 100% |
The Spirit of the Game category carries the most weight at 4 points. This covers things like unnecessary sledging, time-wasting, and general attitude on the field.
At the end of the season, the winner is decided by the highest average points per match, not total points.
This is an important distinction. Teams that qualify for playoffs play more matches, so using average points ensures fairness.
IPL Fair Play Award Winners List (2008 to 2025)
Before we track how IPL 2026 unfolds, here is the complete history of every IPL Fair Play Award winner since the tournament’s inception.
| Year | Winner | Captain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | First-ever winner |
| 2009 | Kings XI Punjab | Yuvraj Singh | Season held in South Africa |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Also won IPL title |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Also won IPL title |
| 2012 | Rajasthan Royals | Rahul Dravid | Dravid’s calm leadership |
| 2013 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 4th Fair Play win |
| 2014 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 5th Fair Play win |
| 2015 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 6th Fair Play win |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | David Warner | Also won IPL title |
| 2017 | Gujarat Lions | Suresh Raina | Franchise’s final season |
| 2018 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | MI’s first Fair Play win |
| 2019 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kane Williamson | 2nd SRH win |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Also won IPL title (UAE) |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | Split season (India+UAE) |
| 2022 | GT / RR (Shared) | Pandya / Samson | Only shared win in history |
| 2023 | Delhi Capitals | David Warner | DC’s only Fair Play win |
| 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | 3rd SRH win |
| 2025 | Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Record 7th CSK win |
Which Teams Have Won the Most IPL Fair Play Awards?
| Team | Fair Play Wins | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 2008, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 25 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 3 (incl. shared) | 2012, 2021, 2022 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 3 | 2016, 2019, 2024 |
| Mumbai Indians | 2 | 2018, 2020 |
| Punjab Kings | 1 | 2009 |
| Gujarat Lions | 1 | 2017 |
| Gujarat Titans | 1 (shared) | 2022 |
| Delhi Capitals | 1 | 2023 |
CSK’s seven Fair Play wins in 16 played seasons (they were banned in 2016 and 2017) translates to a roughly 44% win rate for this award alone.
MS Dhoni captained CSK during their first six Fair Play wins. His famously calm temperament and refusal to argue with umpires set the tone for the entire squad.
Even after Dhoni stepped back, CSK won a 7th Fair Play title in 2025 under Ruturaj Gaikwad. That speaks to a franchise-wide culture, not just one player.
IPL Teams That Have Never Won the Fair Play Award
Despite 18 completed IPL seasons, three current franchises are still waiting for their first Fair Play Award.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR have won three IPL titles (2012, 2014, 2024) but have never topped the Fair Play standings.
They finished dead last in IPL 2025 with a 9.00 average. Interestingly, they are at 10.00 in IPL 2026 so far, which is a significant improvement.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB won their maiden IPL trophy in 2025 but have never managed the Fair Play Award.
Their best Fair Play finish came in seasons where they were less competitive on the points table. Passion on the field, it seems, comes at a Fair Play cost.
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG joined the IPL in 2022, so they have only had four seasons. Still, no Fair Play win so far.
As a newer franchise, they have time to build the kind of disciplined culture that CSK has taken years to establish.
Does the Fair Play Award Affect IPL Playoff Qualification?
This is one of the most common questions fans ask, and the answer is a clear no.
Fair Play points are completely separate from the IPL points table. They do not influence NRR, standings, or playoff qualification in any way.
The award is purely a recognition of sportsmanship. Think of it as cricket’s version of a conduct grade on your school report card.
That said, there is an interesting trend. Only four times has a team won both the IPL title and the Fair Play Award in the same season: CSK (2010, 2011), SRH (2016), and MI (2020).
So winning fair does not always mean winning the trophy. But it certainly does not hurt either.
What the Early IPL 2026 Fair Play Data Tells Us
Four matches is still early days, but some patterns are already forming in the IPL 2026 Fair Play Award race.
MI’s 10.25 average is remarkable. It suggests their on-field demeanor has been nearly flawless across all four games.
The cluster of four teams at 10.00 shows that the majority of franchises are maintaining high standards of sportsmanship so far.
The real story, though, is at the bottom. DC’s 8.25 average and RCB’s 9.00 are areas of concern if those teams want to close the gap later.
Historically, Fair Play standings tend to tighten up mid-season as teams play more matches and averages normalize.
However, if a team drops a low score early (say, an 8 in one match), it takes several perfect 10s to bring that average back up.
What Does the IPL Fair Play Award Winner Get?
Unlike the Orange Cap or Purple Cap, the IPL Fair Play Award does not come with a cash prize.
The winning team receives a trophy at the end of the season. The reward is purely about reputation and recognition.
However, for franchises, it carries significant brand value. A team known for playing fair attracts sponsors who value positive public image.
CSK’s repeated Fair Play wins have contributed to their status as one of the most respected franchises globally, beyond just trophies.
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Final Thoughts: MI is Leading the Table in First Phase Of IPL 2026
Mumbai Indians lead the IPL 2026 Fair Play Award standings early on, but there is a long way to go with at least 10 more league matches per team.
CSK, KKR, PBKS, and RR are right behind at 40 points each. As the tournament progresses, these standings will shift with every match.
We will keep this article updated as new matches are played and the points table changes. Bookmark this page for the latest IPL 2026 Fair Play standings.
