Rajasthan Royals flying high

Rajasthan Royals have opened the 2026 Indian Premier League with four wins in four matches and sit first on the table with eight points and a net run rate of 2.055. (espncricinfo.com) Their latest win came on April 10 in Guwahati, where Rajasthan chased 202 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and got home at 202 for 4 with 12 balls left. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 78 off 26 balls, Dhruv Jurel finished unbeaten on 81 off 43, and Rajasthan turned a 201-run target into a six-wicket win. (espncricinfo.com) The four-match run has not been narrow across the board. Rajasthan beat Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets on March 30, Gujarat Titans by six runs on April 4, Mumbai Indians by 27 runs on April 7, and then beat Bengaluru on April 10. (rajasthanroyals.com) Punjab Kings are second with seven points from four matches after three wins and one no result, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru are third with four points from three matches. Delhi Capitals are fourth on four points, and Lucknow Super Giants are fifth on four points with a negative net run rate. (espncricinfo.com) In the Indian Premier League table, teams get two points for a win, one for a no result, and positions split on net run rate when points are level. Rajasthan lead both measures right now: they have the most points and the best net run rate in the field. (iplt20.com; espncricinfo.com) That start stands out more because Rajasthan finished ninth in 2025 and changed leadership before this season. The franchise’s official 2026 squad page lists Riyan Parag as captain, with Kumar Sangakkara as coach. (iplt20.com) The batting has driven the early surge. Rajasthan have scored 690 runs in 61.1 overs across four matches, while conceding 655 in 71 overs, which helps explain the large gap in net run rate. (espncricinfo.com) The schedule now gives Rajasthan a quick test of whether the early lead can hold. ESPNcricinfo’s points table lists their next three matches as coming against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants. (espncricinfo.com) Four matches do not decide an Indian Premier League season, but Rajasthan have already created separation after 16 matches in the tournament. The table on April 12 shows one unbeaten team at the top and a chasing pack already working from behind. (sports.yahoo.com; espncricinfo.com)