Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have made the IPL 2026 playoff race even more intense after defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets on Monday, May 18, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. SRH’s victory also confirmed Gujarat Titans’ place in the playoffs.
Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had sealed their playoff berth after beating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamsala on Sunday. With RCB, SRH and GT now qualified for the playoffs, only one spot remains up for grabs.
Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are all still in contention for that final playoff berth. With seven league-stage matches remaining, the qualification race is only expected to become more intense.
CSK vs SRH: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Here we look at the playoffs qualification scenario for IPL 2026
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings are in a tricky position with only one playoff spot remaining up for grabs. Even if they win their final league match and finish on 15 points, qualification is not guaranteed, as Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals can still push them out of the race.
PBKS also have a chance to qualify with 13 points. For that scenario to unfold, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings must lose all their remaining matches. KKR would need to beat Delhi Capitals but lose to Mumbai Indians.
In that case, both KKR and PBKS would finish on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team advances to the playoffs.
Remaining fixtures
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- May 23: Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals will qualify for the playoffs if they win both of their remaining matches and they are the only team to have fate in their own hands.
However, if they win one and lose one, the qualification scenario becomes complicated. In that case, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings could surpass them on points, while Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings could also finish level with them on 14 points, bringing net run rate into play.
If Rajasthan lose both their remaining matches, they will finish on 12 points and be eliminated from the competition.
Remaining fixtures
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- May 19: Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants
- May 24: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings need to win their last league match and even then qualification is not guaranteed. Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders can still go past them on points. Even Delhi Capitals can catch them on 14 points before net run rate calculations come into the picture.
If the Super Kings lose their last league match, they will be knocked out of the competition.
Remaining fixtures
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- May 21: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals are in a situation similar to Chennai Super Kings, with 12 points from 13 matches. The key difference, however, lies in their net run rate. DC’s net run rate of -0.871 is significantly lower than CSK’s -0.016, meaning the Super Kings could hold the advantage if qualification comes down to net run rate between the two sides.
For now, the equation is simple for the Capitals. They must win their final league match to stay alive in the playoff race, as a defeat would eliminate them from the competition.
Remaining fixtures
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- May 24: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders
If Kolkata Knight Riders win both of their remaining matches, they will finish on 15 points, but even that may not guarantee qualification. Rajasthan Royals could still finish ahead with 16 points, while Punjab Kings can also end on 15, bringing net run rate into the equation.
KKR can also qualify with 13 points, but that scenario requires Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals to lose all of their remaining matches. In that case, KKR and PBKS would both finish on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team advances to the playoffs.
However, if KKR lose both of their remaining matches, they will be eliminated from the competition.
Remaining fixtures
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- May 24: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals
– Ends
