Before 2022, there used to be 8 teams in the IPL. However, right before the 2022 season - the Board of Control for Cricket in India Since the addition of two more teams in the IPL - Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. 

However, even when the teams were increased, the BCCI made sure that the number of matches per team still remain the same, that is 14 per team - 7 home matches and 7 away matches. 

To do this - the IPL body of the BCCI made two groups and placed teams in a way that they play at least once each team and play a maximum of twice in group stages with each team. 

It has been designed in a way that a team plays a game each with teams in their own group, while two times with the team in other group. 

For Example: In 2026, IPL has made Group A and Group B. In Group A there are CSK, KKR, RR, RCB, and PBKS while in Group B they have MI, SRH, GT, DC and LSG.

This means, CSK will play RR once, but will play MI twice. As RR is in their group and MI is in the other group.