Table of Contents
The race for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has gone right down to the wire, with five teams still battling hard for one remaining spot in the top four.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already sealed qualification for the IPL 2026 playoffs after producing consistent performances throughout the season. While RCB became the first side to qualify, SRH???s win over Chennai Super Kings also helped Gujarat Titans officially book their place in the next round.
With Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants already knocked out of the competition, the focus has now shifted towards Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders. All five teams are still mathematically alive in the playoffs race, and with only a handful of league-stage matches remaining, every single result could completely change the points table.
| IPL 2026 Points Table | |||||||
|
Pos |
Team | M | W | L | N/R | PTS | NRR |
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1.065 |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 0.4 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 0.35 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 0.227 |
| 5 | Rajasthan Royals | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 0.027 |
| 6 | Chennai Super Kings | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -0.016 |
| 7 | Delhi Capitals | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -0.871 |
| 8 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 11 | -0.038 |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | -0.504 |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | -0.701 |
IPL 2026: Qualification Scenario for Five Teams Battling for One Spot
IPL 2026: Punjab Kings Qualification Scenario
Punjab Kings have put themselves in a difficult situation after their defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. PBKS now have only one league-stage game left against Lucknow Super Giants and can maximum reach 15 points. However, qualification is no longer entirely in their hands. Punjab will need to beat LSG and hope Rajasthan Royals lose at least one of their remaining matches. Alongside that, Kolkata Knight Riders must either lose one game or stay behind PBKS on net run-rate if both teams finish on 15 points.
Punjab Kings can even sneak through with 13 points, but for that several results must fall perfectly in place. Rajasthan Royals would need to lose both their matches, Gujarat Titans must beat Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders would have to beat Delhi Capitals but lose against Mumbai Indians. Even then, PBKS would need to stay ahead of KKR on net run-rate.
IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals Qualification Scenario
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, still control their own destiny despite losing six of their last eight matches. RR have two matches remaining against already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. If they manage to win both games, they will move to 16 points and seal qualification without depending on any other side. That makes them arguably the strongest contender among the teams fighting for the fourth spot.
There is still a route available for Rajasthan Royals even if they finish on 14 points. In that case, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals would all need to lose their remaining fixtures. Along with that, Mumbai Indians must beat Kolkata Knight Riders to ensure KKR do not cross RR in the standings.
IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings Qualification Scenario
Chennai Super Kings suffered a massive setback after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk. The five-time champions are currently sitting on 12 points and can only finish with 14 if they beat Gujarat Titans in their final league-stage game. But even that may not be enough.
For CSK to qualify, Rajasthan Royals need to lose both their matches, Punjab Kings must lose against Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders must beat Delhi Capitals but then lose to Mumbai Indians. If all those scenarios happen, Chennai Super Kings could sneak into the playoffs, likely ahead of Delhi Capitals because of their superior net run-rate.
IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Qualification Scenario
Delhi Capitals are perhaps in the toughest position among all the contenders because of their terrible net run-rate of -0.871. DC cannot afford any net run-rate battle and realistically need every result to go in their favour. Their only remaining game is against Kolkata Knight Riders, and they must win it to move to 14 points.
Alongside that victory, Delhi Capitals would need Lucknow Super Giants to beat Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals to lose both their remaining matches against LSG and MI, and Gujarat Titans to defeat Chennai Super Kings. Only then can DC qualify cleanly without net run-rate becoming a factor.
IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders Qualification Scenario
Kolkata Knight Riders still have two matches remaining, against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, and that gives them a slight edge compared to some other teams. KKR can finish on 15 points if they win both matches, and that could be enough depending on Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.
If RR lose one game and Punjab Kings lose to Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders will qualify by reaching 15 points. Even if PBKS beat LSG and also reach 15, KKR can still qualify if they maintain a better net run-rate.
Interestingly, KKR can also qualify with 13 points. For that to happen, they must beat Delhi Capitals while Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals lose both their games, and Punjab Kings lose to Lucknow Super Giants. Net run-rate would then come into the picture once again.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya ruled out of Afghanistan ODIs? Report drops massive bombshell
