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The playoff race in IPL 2026 is intensifying with every passing match. On Sunday, Lucknow Super Giants became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention, before Mumbai Indians followed them out of the race. However, eight teams are still battling for the remaining four spots.
On Monday, Delhi Capitals were on the verge of becoming the third team to be knocked out, but Axar Patel’s side kept their hopes alive with a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium.
With 15 matches still left in the league stage, no team can afford to relax not even table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who could also find themselves under pressure from teams closely chasing them. Sides like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings endured difficult starts to their campaigns before staging strong recoveries. PBKS, meanwhile, were unbeaten in their first seven matches, but four consecutive defeats have suddenly left them searching for answers.
As the league phase enters its decisive stretch, the playoff battle is only expected to get tighter, with every result likely to have a major impact on the standings.
Here’s how the qualification scenario look like for teams in IPL 2026
The ‘One foot in the door’ zone – RCB, SRH, GT
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans are all locked on 14 points from 11 matches, putting them firmly in contention for the playoffs. In the previous six IPL seasons featuring 10 teams, 14 points was enough for RCB to qualify in 2024, showing that seven wins can realistically secure a playoff berth.
RCB, SRH and GT now need just one more victory each to confirm their place in the playoffs. Notably, no team with 16 points in a 10-team IPL season has ever failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Requirement: Win 1 out of 3 their remaining games and qualify without net run rate complications
Remaining Games
- GT vs SRH – 12 May 2026 in Ahmedabad
- RCB vs KKR – 13 May 2026 in Raipur
- KKR vs GT – 16 May 2026 in Kolkata
- PBKS vs RCB – 17 May 2026 in Dharamshala
- CSK vs SRH – 18 May 2026, in Chennai
- CSK vs GT – 21 May 2026 in Chennai
- SRH vs RCB – 22 May in Hyderabad
Delhi Capitals hanging by a thread
When it comes to qualifying with 14 points, Delhi Capitals have only one possible route to the playoffs. However, even victories in their remaining two matches would not guarantee qualification, as net run rate could become the deciding factor.
That is where the Capitals are at a major disadvantage, with a net run rate of -0.993, especially considering that the other teams in the top six all have positive net run rates.
Requirement: Win remaining 2 matches and wait for other results
Remaining Games:
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- DC vs RR – 17 May 2026 in Delhi
- KKR vs DC – 24 May 2026 in Kolkata
Chennai, Rajasthan need to tread carefully
For Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the equation is straightforward. Winning two of their remaining three league matches should be enough to secure a playoff spot. If they win all three, they could even finish in the top two.
A single win would still keep them in contention, but neither side would want qualification to depend on other results and net run rate calculations.
Requirement: Win 2 out of their remaining 3 games and qualify without net run rate complications
Remaining Games:
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- LSG vs CSK – 15 May 2026 in Lucknow
- CSK vs SRH – 18 May 2026 in Chennai
- CSK vs GT – 21 May 2026 in Chennai
The ‘Odd’ Zone – PBKS and KKR
Kolkata Knight Riders need to win all four of their remaining matches to secure a playoff spot. Four consecutive victories would take them to 17 points for the season. Even if they win three matches and one game is abandoned or called off, they could still qualify with 16 points.
However, a single defeat could leave KKR stranded on 15 points, a position that may prove painfully short of qualification, with net run rate and other results likely deciding their fate.
For Punjab Kings, qualification is firmly in their hands. Winning two of their remaining three matches would take them to 17 points and secure a playoff berth. Even if they win one match, lose one and have another washed out, they could still qualify with 16 points.
However, more than one defeat in their final three games could leave PBKS in a precarious position in the playoff race.
Requirement: KKR need to win all four of their games to qualify without any complications. Meanwhile, PBKS need atleast two wins in their last three games to qualify.
Remaining Games:
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- PBKS vs MI – 14 May 2026 in Dharamsala
- KKR vs GT – 16 May 2026 in Kolkata
- PBKS vs RCB – 17 May 2026 in Dharamsala
- KKR vs MI – 20 May 2026 in Kolkata
- LSG vs PBKS – 23 May 2026 in Lucknow
- KKR vs DC – 24 May 2026 in Kolkata
– Ends
