The IPL 2016 season was one of the most thrilling editions of the Indian Premier League, filled with intense finishes, stunning centuries, and remarkable comebacks. This was the ninth season of the IPL, featuring eight competitive teams battling for the coveted trophy. Eventually, it was Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) who lifted the title, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a memorable final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Let’s take a look at the IPL 2016 points table, team standings, playoff results, and the top performers who made this season unforgettable.
IPL 2016 Points Table (League Stage)
The IPL 2016 league stage featured 56 matches played across India. Each team played 14 games — seven at home and seven away. The top four teams qualified for the playoffs based on total points and net run rate (NRR).
Here’s the complete IPL 2016 points table:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Lions (GL) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | +0.374 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +0.932 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +0.245 |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +0.106 |
| 5 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | -0.146 |
| 6 | Delhi Daredevils (DD) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | -0.155 |
| 7 | Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 10 | +0.015 |
| 8 | Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.646 |
League Stage Highlights
- Gujarat Lions, a new franchise in IPL 2016, topped the points table in their debut season with 9 wins.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore made a late comeback in the tournament, winning six of their last seven matches to finish second.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad maintained consistent form, securing a top-four finish and eventually winning the title.
- Kolkata Knight Riders also ended with 16 points but had a slightly lower NRR, placing them fourth.
- Defending champions Mumbai Indians narrowly missed the playoffs despite a few impressive performances from Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard.
IPL 2016 Playoffs Results
The top four teams — Gujarat Lions, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders — advanced to the playoffs. Let’s look at how the knockout stages unfolded.
| Stage | Match | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | Gujarat Lions vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | RCB won by 4 wickets | |
| Eliminator | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders | SRH won by 22 runs | |
| Qualifier 2 | Gujarat Lions vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH won by 4 wickets | |
| Final | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH won by 8 runs |
IPL 2016 Final – A Night to Remember
The IPL 2016 Final between RCB and SRH was one of the most dramatic in the league’s history.
- SRH, led by David Warner, batted first and posted a commanding total of 208/7 in 20 overs.
- In response, RCB, powered by the prolific Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, got off to a flying start but eventually fell short by 8 runs, finishing at 200/7.
This victory gave Sunrisers Hyderabad their maiden IPL title, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman playing crucial roles with the ball.
IPL 2016 Top Performers
Here are the standout players who dominated the 2016 season:
Orange Cap Winner (Most Runs)
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – 973 runs in 16 matches
- Highest score: 113
- Average: 81.08
- Strike Rate: 152.03
Kohli’s record-breaking season remains one of the greatest batting performances in IPL history, with 4 centuries in a single edition.
Purple Cap Winner (Most Wickets)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) – 23 wickets in 17 matches
- Economy Rate: 7.42
- Best Bowling: 4/29
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – for his unmatched consistency and record tally of runs.
Best Fielder
- AB de Villiers (RCB) – Outstanding athletic catches throughout the season.
Emerging Player of the Year
- Mustafizur Rahman (SRH) – For his crucial breakthroughs and economical bowling.
Team Performances in IPL 2016
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Champions)
Led by David Warner, SRH relied on a balanced squad featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, and Mustafizur Rahman. Their disciplined bowling attack was the key to their success.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Runners-Up)
Despite boasting a star-studded batting lineup with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, RCB once again fell just short of the title. Kohli’s record 973-run season remains legendary.
Gujarat Lions (Table Toppers)
Under the leadership of Suresh Raina, Gujarat Lions impressed everyone by finishing first in their debut IPL season. Key performers included Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch, and Dwayne Bravo.
Kolkata Knight Riders
A well-balanced team led by Gautam Gambhir, KKR performed consistently but couldn’t advance beyond the Eliminator stage.
IPL 2016 Venues and Host Cities
The IPL 2016 was played across 10 cities in India, including:
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Pune
- Rajkot
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Chandigarh
- Raipur
- Visakhapatnam
Each venue witnessed electrifying performances, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments.
IPL 2016 Key Records
- Most Runs: Virat Kohli (973 runs)
- Most Wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (23 wickets)
- Highest Team Score: RCB – 248/3 vs Gujarat Lions
- Best Bowling Figures: Adam Zampa – 6/19 (Rising Pune Supergiant)
- Most Sixes: Virat Kohli – 38
- Most Fours: David Warner – 88
IPL 2016 Awards List
| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Cap | Virat Kohli | RCB |
| Purple Cap | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH |
| Most Valuable Player (MVP) | Virat Kohli | RCB |
| Emerging Player | Mustafizur Rahman | SRH |
| Fair Play Award | Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH |
Conclusion:
The IPL 2016 season will forever be remembered as a year of outstanding performances, breathtaking matches, and Virat Kohli’s batting masterclass. The triumph of Sunrisers Hyderabad marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise, showcasing that teamwork and strategy can overcome even the most explosive batting lineups.
As IPL seasons continue to evolve, fans still look back at IPL 2016 as one of the most exciting and competitive editions in history — a tournament that defined cricketing excellence and entertainment at its peak.
