IPL 2026: Updated betting odds after week one

The first week of IPL cricket in 2026 was thrilling. Multiple teams had opening games to remember, while others are looking to bounce back in match two.

Already, the storylines in the newest edition of the competition are taking shape. Potential contenders for the trophy are being sorted from pretenders, and although there’s a long way to go until the playoffs, betting markets are already adapting after one week of action.

If the current odds are anything to go by, cricket fans could be set for an even more memorable IPL season than 2025. Although correct at the time of publishing, betting markets are subject to change as more games are played, but here’s a closer look at who is leading the way currently.

Pre-season favorites Mumbai and RCB show why

Heading into the season, Mumbai Indians and reigning champions RCB were both expected to be the main contenders for the 2026 IPL trophy. And victories for both teams have done little to dissuade fans into thinking this is no longer the case.

RCB was set 202 by Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite Jacob Duffy’s excellent bowling in which the New Zealander took three wickets. Spearheaded by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, the champions needed just 15.4 overs to reach their target. 

It was the kind of performance which would ordinarily establish a team as the favorite. Unfortunately for RCB, sportsbooks still believe that Mumbai Indians are the team to beat.

Shardul Thakur’s performance with the ball was sublime as he finished on 3/39. And despite the Kolkata Knight Riders managing 220/4, Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma’s opening partnership of 148 in 11.5 overs made the lives of subsequent batters easy.

Off the back of big wins, it’s hardly surprising to see that both teams are considered favorites in 2026. For sports bettors who wish to back either team, you can see which of the top IPL betting sites in India have the best offers available.

Are Rajasthan Royals a potential contender?

After trading away Sanju Samson, betting markets were not especially confident in the Rajasthan Royals’ chances. But a commanding eight-wicket victory against Chennai Super Kings has boosted their odds significantly.

Jofra Archer’s 2-19 was the highlight of the bowling, while Nandre Burger and Ravindra Jadeja both took two wickets as CSK’s batting order outside of Jamie Overton collapsed. 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi then hit 50 off just 15 balls, the joint-third fastest half-century in IPL history.

The Royals’ odds are now bettered only by Mumbai, RCB and Punjab Kings, whose three-wicket victory against the Gujarat Titans was nervy after their middle order collapsed. Having not won a title since 2008, perhaps Rajasthan are a team to watch this year.

The best of the outsider shouts

As for the losing teams, Gujarat Titans are seen as the best of the bunch to recover from an opening-game loss. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler looked decent with the bat, while the Titans know Sai Sudharsan will recover after scoring just 13. 

Their bowling also looked decent, with Prasidh Krishna taking three wickets. Only Cooper Connolly’s score of 72 not out denied Gujarat a first victory of the tournament, with the Titans handed the same odds of success in this year’s IPL as the Delhi Capitals, who beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets.

Despite being comprehensively dispatched by the Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings have still been given similar odds of winning the 2026 IPL as the Sunrisers. However, both teams are considered to be long shots for success, as are Kolkata and the Super Giants.

The Knight Riders powered to 100 in just 7.5 overs, but simply found themselves overpowered by Mumbai Indians as the game wore on. As for Lucknow, their batting lineup was stifled by Delhi’s bowling attack, while their spin bowling was punished by Sameer Rizvi, as 2.1 overs went for 35 runs.