Royal Challengers Bengaluru have become the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs, leaving seven teams to compete for the remaining three places. Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are already out, while the rest of the contenders face a tense finish with just eight league-stage matches left. Net run rate could still play a major role for several sides as the race heads towards its final stretch.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 13, Points: 18, NRR: 1.065
Remaining match: SRH (A)
RCB have already booked their place in the playoffs and are also close to securing a top-two finish. Rajasthan Royals’ defeat to Delhi Capitals means only Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad can still match RCB’s points tally.
Even so, it is highly unlikely that both GT and SRH will overtake RCB on net run rate. GT have only one match left, while SRH have two games remaining, leaving them with limited opportunity to close the gap.
Punjab Kings
Played: 13, Points: 13, NRR: 0.227
Remaining match: LSG (A)
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Punjab Kings’ campaign has declined sharply over the last three weeks, and their defeat to RCB has further damaged their qualification hopes. With only one match remaining, away to Lucknow Super Giants, PBKS can reach a maximum of 15 points.
That leaves them heavily dependent on other results, as five teams can still finish on 16 points or more. However, the table remains open enough that even 13 points could still be enough for fourth place.
For that to happen, RR have to lose both their remaining matches, DC must lose to KKR, and KKR must then lose to MI. In that case, PBKS and KKR would both remain on 13 points and compete for the final playoff spot.
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Gujarat Titans
Played: 13, Points: 16, NRR: 0.400
Remaining match: CSK (H)
Gujarat Titans will confirm qualification if they beat Chennai Super Kings in their final league match. Their chances of finishing in the top two will then depend on whether SRH win both of their remaining games. If SRH do that, net run rate will decide the position.
If GT lose to CSK and remain on 16 points, they will not be completely safe. Five teams can still finish on 16 or more: SRH, GT, CSK and RR, along with already-qualified RCB.
However, CSK play their final match on Thursday, while RR play one of their remaining two games before that. A defeat for either CSK or RR would secure GT’s playoff place, since both teams need to win all their remaining matches to reach 16.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 0.331
Remaining matches: CSK (A), RCB (H)
A win for SRH against CSK on Monday will confirm their playoff qualification, as it would limit CSK to a maximum of 14 points. That result would also seal GT’s place in the playoffs, leaving only one remaining spot available.
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If SRH beat CSK but lose to RCB, they can still target a top-two finish only if GT lose to CSK. In that scenario, SRH and GT would both be on 16 points, with RR also able to join them if they win both remaining matches. Net run rate would then decide which of those teams finishes second.
If SRH win both matches, they will finish in the top two if GT lose to CSK, or if GT win but end with a weaker net run rate than SRH. However, two defeats could eliminate SRH, with RCB, GT, RR and CSK all still able to finish on 16 or more points.
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 12, Points: 12, NRR: 0.027
Remaining matches: LSG (H), MI (A)
Rajasthan Royals have lost their last three matches and six of their last eight, leaving them under pressure. Even if they win their final two games against already-eliminated teams, they could still be part of a four-team contest for three places on 16 points.
However, if CSK lose to SRH on Monday, then 16 points will be enough to take RR into the playoffs.
To qualify on 14 points without net run rate becoming a factor, RR will need CSK, DC and PBKS to lose their matches, while KKR must also lose to MI.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 12, Points: 12, NRR: 0.027
Remaining matches: SRH (H), GT (A)
CSK can still reach 16 points by winning their last two games, but even that may place them in a four-way fight for three playoff positions. If CSK lose to SRH, then 16 points will be enough for qualification, which would also put both SRH and GT into the playoffs.
For CSK to claim the fourth spot, they will need to defeat GT in their final match and hope several other results go their way. That includes defeats for RR, PBKS and KKR, preventing those teams from reaching 14 or more points.
CSK may not be too concerned about a net-run-rate battle with DC, whose NRR is -0.871. However, RR are currently level with CSK on NRR, meaning victory margins could become crucial if those teams finish tied.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 12, Points: 11, NRR: -0.038
Remaining matches: MI (H), DC (H)
PBKS’ defeat to RCB has given KKR renewed hope, but their qualification path is still not fully in their own control. Five teams can still reach 16 or more points, including RCB, who already have 18.
For KKR to qualify without needing net run rate, they can hope that no more than one of SRH, RR and CSK goes beyond 15 points. SRH need only one win to reach 16, while RR and CSK must win both of their remaining matches. If that scenario plays out and PBKS lose to LSG, KKR can qualify with two wins and 15 points.
There is also a route where both KKR and PBKS qualify with 15 points. That would require SRH to lose both matches, CSK to lose to GT, and RR to collect no more than two points from their final two games.
If KKR lose to DC, they will almost certainly be eliminated. If they lose to MI but beat DC, they would still have a very remote chance, provided PBKS lose to LSG and stay on 13 points. In that case, net run rate would decide the final spot between PBKS and KKR.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 13, Points: 12, NRR: -0.871
Remaining match: KKR (A)
Delhi Capitals’ poor net run rate means their only realistic route is to reach 14 points and hope the rest of the table opens up in their favour. They need to qualify as the fourth team without net run rate being involved.
For that to happen, PBKS, CSK and RR must all lose their remaining matches. If those results fall into place, RCB, GT, SRH and DC would be the four teams to reach the playoffs.
