The race for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has become extremely tough, with five teams still fighting hard for a spot left in the top four.
Royal Challengers BangaloreAfter consistent performances throughout the season, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already secured qualification for the IPL 2026 playoffs. While RCB became the first team to qualify, SRH’s win over Chennai Super Kings helped Gujarat Titans officially seal their place in the next round.
With Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants already out of the competition, the focus now turns to Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. All five teams are still mathematically alive in the race for the playoffs, and with only a few league-stage matches remaining, every single result could completely change the points table.
| ipl 2026 points table | |||||||
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Situation |
Team | m | w | l | n/r | public telephone | NRR |
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 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 a spot
IPL 2026: Punjab Kings qualification scenario
Punjab Kings have put themselves in a difficult situation after the defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2026. PBKS Now only one league-stage game is left against Lucknow Super Giants and can reach a maximum of 15 points. However, the merit is no longer entirely in their hands. Punjab will have to beat LSG and hope that Rajasthan Royals lose at least one of their remaining matches. Also, if both teams finish on 15 points, Kolkata Knight Riders will either have to lose a game or fall behind PBKS on net run-rate.
Punjab Kings can move forward even with 13 points, but for this many results need to fall in place. Rajasthan Royals need to lose both their matches, Gujarat Titans need to defeat Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders need to defeat Delhi Capitals but fall against Mumbai Indians. Still, PBKS needs to stay ahead of KKR on net run-rate.
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IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals qualification scenario
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are still in control of their own fortunes despite losing six of their last eight matches. RR has two matches left against already eliminated Lucknow Supergiants and Mumbai Indians. If they manage to win both the games, they will have 16 points and will ensure qualification without having to depend on any other side. This makes them arguably the strongest contenders teams Fighting for fourth place.
There is still a route out for Rajasthan Royals, even if they finish on 14 points. In that case, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals will have to lose their remaining matches. fixtures. Along with this, Mumbai Indians will have to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders to ensure that KKR does not overtake RR in the standings.
IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings qualification scenario
Chennai Super Kings have suffered a big blow after losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chepauk. The five-time champions currently have 12 points and can finish with 14 points if they beat Gujarat Titans in their final league stage game. But even this may not be enough.
For CSK to qualify, Rajasthan Royals will have to lose both their matches, Punjab Kings will have to lose against Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders will have to beat Delhi Capitals but then lose to Mumbai Indians. If all those scenarios happen, Chennai Super Kings could possibly reach the playoffs ahead of Delhi Capitals due to their better net run-rate.
IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals qualification scenario
Delhi Capitals are probably in the toughest position among all the contenders due to their dreadful 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 have to win it to reach 14 points.
Along with that win, Delhi Capitals will need Gujarat Titans to beat Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals to lose both their remaining matches against Lucknow Super Giants, LSG and MI and Chennai Super Kings to beat Punjab 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 left against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals and that gives them a slight edge over some other teams. If KKR wins both the matches then it can have 15 points and that could be enough on the basis of Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.
If RR lose a game and Punjab Kings lose to Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders will qualify by reaching 15 points. Even if PBKS beats LSG and reaches 15, KKR can still qualify if they maintain a better net run-rate.
Interestingly, KKR can qualify even with 13 points. For that to happen, they have to beat Delhi Capitals, while Gujarat Titans have to beat Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals have lost both their games, and Punjab Kings have to beat Lucknow Super Giants. Net run-rate will once again come into the picture.
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