Cricket
Bottom of the Table: Identifying IPL’s Statistically Least Successful Long-Standing Teams
The IPL has made for mesmerising viewing. Its introduction in 2008 ushered in an exciting new era for cricket. This dynamic T20 competition has provided many dramatic moments, leaving fans speechless. While some franchises have stood heads and shoulders above the rest, others have seen success elude them, but it hasn’t been for want of trying.
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru//Getty Images
Normally, we relish the chance to celebrate the triumphs of the best IPL teams and put them on a pedestal. However, we have taken a different route this time. Instead, we have reflected on the hard luck stories and highlighted the least successful teams.
Who is the most unsuccessful IPL team of all time? This guide should be viewed as a statistical examination, as we have pored over the win percentages and win/loss ratios of the teams that have been a big part of the IPL story.
Understanding the Long Haul
The IPL has evolved a lot over the past couple of decades. Perhaps more pertinently, the IPL’s continual rise can be marked by the competition’s brand value. A recent valuation suggested that the IPL has now nudged $12 billion.
Initially, the tournament featured eight Indian city-based franchises, but now there are 10 teams. Some franchises are now defunct such as the Deccan Chargers and Gujarat Lions, so they haven’t been included in our statistical analysis.
Nevertheless, it is best to frame this piece through the teams involved in the IPL since or as close to the start of the tournament as possible. Through this lens, we can paint a more realistic picture of their struggles, making it easier to provide an IPL team stats comparison of the worst teams.
IPL Team Performances: A Statistical Overview
Consistency speaks volumes in the IPL. While some teams have shone such as the Chennai Super Kings, who have qualified for the most play-offs (12) in IPL history, other franchises have found it tough going.
By assessing the teams that have played all or most IPL seasons stats, we can get an accurate view of which franchises have been perennial underachievers. We have created a table, indicating the win/loss rates and win percentages, and this has been done in ascending order from worst to best.
IPL Team Performances
| Team | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | W/L | %W | Results |
| Punjab Kings | 2008-2025 | 252 | 113 | 135 | 0.837 | 44.84 | 45.63 |
| Delhi Capitals | 2008-2025 | 258 | 116 | 135 | 0.859 | 44.96 | 46.28 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2013-2025 | 188 | 89 | 95 | 0.936 | 47.34 | 48.4 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2008-2025 | 262 | 125 | 130 | 0.961 | 47.7 | 49.03 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 2008-2025 | 259 | 133 | 121 | 1.099 | 51.35 | 52.32 |
| Mumbai Indians | 2008-2025 | 267 | 144 | 119 | 1.21 | 53.93 | 54.68 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 2022-2025 | 51 | 28 | 22 | 1.272 | 54.9 | 56 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 2008-2025 | 246 | 140 | 103 | 1.359 | 56.91 | 57.58 |
| Gujarat Titans | 2022-2025 | 51 | 32 | 19 | 1.684 | 62.74 | 62.74 |
Identifying the Statistically Least Successful Established Teams
Judging by the figures, the Punjab Kings have the worst IPL team record. The Punjab IPL record stats show their win percentage return was below the 45% mark, illustrating their struggles with both bat and ball. Although the Punjab Kings have boasted flair players, such as Chris Gayle, who hit the highest score in an IPL game (175 not out), they haven’t gelled well as a team.
The same could be said of the Delhi Capitals. A glance at the Delhi Capitals stats in the IPL also gives a clear impression of how they have also failed in the competition, having lost significantly more matches than they have over their history.
Like the Punjab Kings, DC’s win percentage hovers around the 45% mark, and their win/loss ratio is well below 1.0. Unsurprisingly, the IPL historical stats of the bottom teams have shown the growing gap between them and the top teams, and it seems unlikely that gap will be bridged anytime soon.
More interestingly, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been involved in the IPL from the start, so they can also be categorised as an underperforming franchise. Although they have got out of the round-robin stage in the past, their win/loss ratio is also below 1.0 even though they boast Virat Kohli who is an undisputed run machine. Well, over 8,000 runs in his IPL career would suggest so. The RCB win percentage history would suggest they have had a mental block in matches, and they have been one of the worst teams despite the wealth of talent in their squad.
But when you pit the least successful IPL teams against the more decorated sides, the difference is alarming. For example, the Chennai Super Kings who have a 57% win rate, or the Mumbai Indians who have chalked up a 54% win rate, have been more consistent and have risen to the occasion more often.
However, it’s more than just that. A report suggested that while RCB’s brand value has surged, they trail CSK and MI in the wealth ranks. MI are believed to be worth $119 million, while the CSK are the richest IPL franchise ($122 million). Backed by wealthy owners, CSK and MI have found they have been able to spend more on recruiting players which has translated into success for both sides, winning the IPL on multiple occasions.
How have the newer teams fared? The Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans possess decent win percentages, but with a smaller sample size available, it seems unfair to make any cast-iron judgments. Compared to the more established outfits, they still have ground to make up, so we’ll have to track their fortunes over the coming years.
Beyond Wins and Losses
Of course, the win/loss records of each side are an important part of our statistical analysis, however, they shouldn’t be viewed as the be-all and end-all.
Other factors have contributed to the success of IPL franchises over time. For example, fan base is a clear metric of popularity as is broadcasting figures per match.
The ability to produce and mould young talent is also a yardstick of improvement as is reaching finals whether won or lost, and these need to be included in the conversation. Although the purpose of this guide was to assess the win/loss ratios, it provides only a simplistic overview of things.
Conclusion
Overall, the Punjab Kings have the IPL’s lowest win percentage, and along with the Delhi Capitals, they have statistically been the worst teams. The RCB also falls into that category, even though they have qualified for the playoffs on eight occasions.
This page focused just on the quantitative results rather than other important tangibles for the league’s most established teams. Ultimately, an IPL side is judged by their wins and losses, but perhaps if we broadened our research, then the results might look markedly different.
SportsBoom Suggest
Teams with historically low win percentages, like Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals according to this data, often face tougher odds, reflecting their past struggles for consistency, although season-to-season form remains critical.
REFERENCES
- 1
IPL brand valuation: A valuation of the IPL through the years - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CRICKET-IPL/mypmjbzrgvr/ Accessed April 23, 2025
- 2
Chris Gayle holds the record for highest score in an IPL game: Chris Gayle featured in the IPL batting stats - https://www.iplt20.com/stats/2025 Accessed April 23, 2025
- 3
IPL brand finance report: A look at the four richest IPL franchises - https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/ipls-elite-clubs-brand-value-of-four-franchises-soar-above-100-million-for-the-first-time Accessed April 23, 2025
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.