The Indian Premier League (IPL) has, since its inception in 2008, become the most glamorous and competitive T20 cricket league in the world. Each season brings high drama, spectacular performances, and, for one unfortunate team, the ignominy of finishing last in the points table. This article presents a year-by-year account of every team that has finished at the bottom of the IPL standings, explores the reasons behind their struggles, and answers the most common questions about this unique aspect of the league.
Year-by-Year List of Last-Placed Teams in the IPL
Below is a detailed, season-by-season breakdown of the teams that have finished at the bottom of the IPL table, along with notable facts and context for each season:
| Year | Team | Season Highlights & Context |
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| 2008 | Deccan Chargers | Struggled in the inaugural season despite a star-studded lineup including Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds. The team finished last but made a remarkable turnaround to win the title the very next year. |
| 2009 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Despite a strong squad on paper, KKR finished last, leading to major changes in team management and strategy. |
| 2010 | Kings XI Punjab | Ended at the bottom after inconsistent performances, failing to find momentum throughout the season. |
| 2011 | Delhi Daredevils | Finished last despite a competitive team, beginning a trend of underwhelming seasons for the franchise. |
| 2012 | Pune Warriors India | The new franchise struggled to find consistency and finished last in its debut season. |
| 2013 | Delhi Daredevils | Delhi finished last for the second time in three years, highlighting ongoing struggles. |
| 2014 | Delhi Daredevils | For the third time in four years, Delhi finished at the bottom, prompting a major squad overhaul. |
| 2015 | Kings XI Punjab | Struggled with team balance and form, ending at the bottom again. |
| 2016 | Kings XI Punjab | Finished last for the second consecutive year, despite flashes of individual brilliance. |
| 2017 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | In a surprising turn, RCB—who had reached the final the previous year—finished last, underscoring the unpredictability of the IPL. |
| 2018 | Delhi Daredevils | Delhi finished last for the fourth time, leading to a rebranding as Delhi Capitals in 2019. |
| 2019 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | RCB finished last for the second time in three years, despite the presence of star players. |
| 2020 | Rajasthan Royals | Rajasthan finished last with 12 points, the highest points tally for a bottom-placed team in IPL history. |
| 2021 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | For the first time, SRH finished last after years of consistent playoff appearances. |
| 2022 | Mumbai Indians | Five-time champions Mumbai Indians finished last for the first time in franchise history, marking a rare low. |
| 2023 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH finished last for the second time in three years, signaling a period of transition. |
| 2024 | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai Indians finished last for the second time in three years, a sign of ongoing rebuilding. |
| 2025 | Chennai Super Kings | For the first time in franchise history, CSK—one of the most successful IPL teams—finished at the bottom of the table. |
Analysis: Why Do Teams Finish Last?
Finishing at the bottom of the IPL table is never the result of a single factor. Here are some common reasons teams have struggled:
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Poor Team Composition: Lack of balance between batting, bowling, and all-rounders can derail a campaign.
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Injuries to Key Players: Losing star performers to injury often leaves a team short on quality and experience.
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Inconsistent Performances: Fluctuating form, both individually and collectively, can lead to a string of defeats.
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Management and Strategy: Poor auction strategies, frequent changes in coaching staff, or lack of a clear vision can undermine team performance.
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Transition Phases: Teams sometimes go through rebuilding phases after the departure of key players or coaches, leading to short-term struggles.
Notable Trends and Records
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Most Frequent Last-Place Finishes:
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Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) have finished last the most times—Delhi four times and Punjab three or four times, depending on interpretation. This highlights the challenges faced by these franchises in maintaining consistency.
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Surprise Last-Place Finishes:
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (2017, 2019) and Mumbai Indians (2022, 2024) are among the league’s most popular and successful teams. Their last-place finishes show that no team is immune to a bad season.
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New Teams:
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Pune Warriors India finished last in their debut season (2012), while Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants—who joined in 2022—have so far avoided the wooden spoon.
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Highest Points for a Last-Placed Team:
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Rajasthan Royals (2020) finished last with 12 points, the highest points tally by a bottom-placed team in IPL history.
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First-Time Last-Place Finishes:
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Chennai Super Kings (2025) finished last for the first time in franchise history, a historic moment for one of the league’s most consistent teams.
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Teams That Have Never Finished Last
Among teams that have played at least five seasons, every franchise has finished last at least once. Only teams with very short tenures—Kochi Tuskers Kerala (one season), Rising Pune Supergiant, and Gujarat Lions (two seasons each)—have never finished at the bottom. Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, having joined in 2022, have not yet finished last.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which team has finished last most often in IPL history?
Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) has finished last four times, making them the team with the most last-place finishes in IPL history.
2. Which IPL season saw the highest points for a last-placed team?
The 2020 season, when Rajasthan Royals finished last with 12 points, holds the record for the highest points tally by a bottom-placed team.
3. Have Mumbai Indians ever finished last in the IPL?
Yes, Mumbai Indians finished last in 2022 and 2024, marking rare lows for the five-time champions.
4. Have Chennai Super Kings ever finished last before 2025?
No, 2025 was the first time Chennai Super Kings finished at the bottom of the IPL table.
5. Which team has never finished last in the IPL?
Among teams that have played at least five seasons, every franchise has finished last at least once. Only teams that played for a very short time, such as Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Gujarat Lions, have never finished last.
6. Why do some strong teams finish last in the IPL?
Even strong teams can finish last due to injuries, poor form, management changes, or a transition phase after the departure of key players.
7. What happens to a team that finishes last in the IPL?
There is no direct penalty for finishing last, but teams often review their strategies, make changes in management, and rebuild their squad for the next season.
8. How many new teams joined the IPL in 2022?
Two new teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, joined the IPL in 2022, bringing the total number of teams to 10.
9. Which team was the first to finish last in IPL history?
Deccan Chargers finished last in the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
10. What is the lowest points tally for a team in an IPL season?
Delhi Capitals (2014) and Deccan Chargers (2008) are the only two teams to have accumulated just 4 points in an IPL season, the lowest points any team has achieved.
Conclusion
Finishing last in the IPL is a humbling experience, but it is also an opportunity for teams to reflect, rebuild, and come back stronger. The year-wise list of last-placed teams reveals the unpredictability and competitiveness of the league, where even the most successful franchises can have a season to forget. As the IPL continues to evolve, the battle to avoid the wooden spoon remains as fierce as the race for the championship.
