Flying fifties, sixy powerplays, and routine 200s – IPL 2026 a run-fest already

For the first time, the run rate after 20 matches has touched ten runs per over. The previous highest at the same stage of a season was 9.52, in 2025. Much of that has been the result of some stunning powerplay numbers: the run rate in that phase has gone up to 10.44, more than a run higher than it was last year. The powerplay power-hitting has probably been the biggest change in IPL over the last five years - the graph below indicates just how much batting in that phase has evolved. From a staid 7.49 in 2022, it has jumped to 10.44 in 2026 - an increase of 39%. In the same period, the middle-overs run rate has gone up too, but by just under 14%, while death-overs numbers have dropped marginally to under ten runs per over. In fact, the difference in run rates between the death overs and powerplay was at least two runs per over in the previous four years and has dropped to half a run per over this year.