Three teams have already pulled ahead after the opening rounds, while the seven-team competition is beginning to take shape.
The Andhra Premier League 2026 points table is led by Amaravati Royals, who sit on 4 points from two wins and a healthy NRR of +2.548.
Bhimavaram Bulls are level on points in second place, while Kakinada Kings occupy third after winning their opening match. Meanwhile, Simhadri Vizag Lions and Tungabhadra Warriors remain winless and are looking to open their account.
APL 2026 Points Table: Current Standings
The table below reflects results from the opening round. Royals of Rayalaseema are yet to play their first match.
| Rank | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amaravati Royals | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +2.548 |
| 2 | Bhimavaram Bulls | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.939 |
| 3 | Kakinada Kings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +3.550 |
| 4 | Vijayawada Sunshiners | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.428 |
| 5 | Royals of Rayalaseema | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1.487 |
| 6 | Simhadri Vizag Lions | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -2.150 |
| 7 | Tungabhadra Warriors | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4.568 |
The NRR gap between first and seventh is already striking. Amaravati Royals’ +4.568 against Tungabhadra Warriors’ -4.568 mirrors each other exactly, suggesting the two sides met on Day 1 in a result that went heavily in Royals’ favour.
How the Andhra Premier League 2026 Points System Works
The Andhra Premier League (APL) uses the standard T20 franchise scoring structure:
- Win = 2 points
- No Result = 1 point each
- Loss = 0 points
- NRR separates teams level on points
When teams finish equal on points at the end of the league stage, Net Run Rate determines their ranking. In a 12-match campaign per side, NRR built in early wins can act as insurance when the top-four picture tightens.
Andhra Premier League 2026 Qualification Rules: Top 4 Advance
Seven teams play each other twice in a double round-robin league phase of 42 matches. At the close of the group stage, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
| Stage | Format | Date |
|---|---|---|
| League Stage | 42 matches, double round-robin | June 9–26, 2026 |
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd | June 28, 2026 |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th | June 28, 2026 |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | June 29, 2026 |
| Final | Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 | June 30, 2026 |
The double round-robin structure is notably more generous than the single-league format used by most state T20 competitions. Every team plays 12 league games, meaning a rough patch of three or four matches can still be recovered from, making the late stages of the table far more competitive.
APL 2026 Teams: Captains and Star Players
Seven franchises represent different regions of Andhra Pradesh, each led by established domestic names.
| Team | Captain | Star Player |
|---|---|---|
| Amaravati Royals | Hanuma Vihari | Hanuma Vihari |
| Kakinada Kings | KS Bharat | KS Bharat |
| Bhimavaram Bulls | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Royals of Rayalaseema | Shaik Rasheed | Shaik Rasheed |
| Vijayawada Sunshiners | Ashwin Hebbar | Ashwin Hebbar |
| Simhadri Vizag Lions | Ricky Bhui | Ricky Bhui |
| Tungabhadra Warriors | K Mahdeep Kumar | Saurabh Kumar |
The star power across the APL 2026 captaincy list is significant. Hanuma Vihari is a former India Test batter; KS Bharat is an IPL-experienced wicketkeeper who has represented India; Nitish Kumar Reddy is one of the most exciting young all-rounders in the country, already a confirmed IPL performer.
Reading the APL 2026 Points Table: What the NRR Numbers Tell Us
The early NRR splits in the Andhra Premier League 2026 standings reveal more than just wins and losses. Here is what the opening round suggests:
- Amaravati Royals (+4.568) won by a massive margin — their captain Hanuma Vihari’s side looks primed to set the pace early. They finished top of the 2025 table and are picking up where they left off.
- Kakinada Kings (+3.550) also enjoyed a commanding win. KS Bharat’s experience in high-pressure situations could make the Kings one of the most consistent sides across a long league schedule.
- Bhimavaram Bulls (+0.428) won, but by a narrower margin. Nitish Kumar Reddy will want to sharpen both the attack and the run-rate in the games ahead.
- Tungabhadra Warriors (-4.568) suffered the heaviest Day 1 defeat. The defending champions have 11 more league games to recover, the double round-robin format gives them every opportunity, but the NRR arithmetic is already working against them.
- Royals of Rayalaseema (0 played) have the unique advantage of watching the table form before playing their first match. Shaik Rasheed’s side can enter the competition knowing exactly what NRR target they need to chase.
Andhra Premier League 2026: Season 5 Context
This is the fifth edition of the APL, organised by the Andhra Cricket Association and backed by the BCCI. The tournament has produced four different champions in four seasons, reflecting how competitive the league is:
- 2022 — Coastal Riders
- 2023 — Rayalaseema Kings
- 2024 — Vizag Warriors
- 2025 — Tungabhadra Warriors
No franchise has ever defended the title. That streak will either end in 2026, or Tungabhadra Warriors will need to stage one of the great APL comebacks after a difficult Day 1.
Season 5 also marks the first time the tournament goes multi-venue, with matches scheduled across Visakhapatnam (ACA-VDCA Stadium), Kadapa, and Mangalagiri. The Mangalagiri stadium is being developed as the APL headquarters with a ₹35 crore upgrade, signalling the ACA’s long-term commitment to the competition.
Andhra Premier League 2026: Key Facts at a Glance
- Season: 5th edition
- Teams: 7 franchises
- Total matches: 32 (28 league + 4 playoffs)
- Venues: Visakhapatnam, Kadapa, Mangalagiri
- Dates: June 9 – June 30, 2026
- Defending champions: Tungabhadra Warriors
- Live broadcast: Star Sports / FanCode
Bookmark this page for updated Andhra Premier League 2026 points table standings after every match across the 21-day window.
