With 15 league-stage matches left in IPL 2026, two sides have already been knocked out of the tournament. However, the playoff picture remains wide open, with RCB, GT, SRH, PBKS, CSK, RR, DC and KKR all still fighting for a top-four finish. None of the teams has confirmed qualification yet, leaving several possible routes open across the final stretch.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.428
Remaining matches: MI (h), RCB (h), LSG (a)
Punjab Kings’ season has taken an unexpected turn. After staying unbeaten for seven matches, they have now gone four games without a victory, a slide few PBKS supporters would have seen coming. Those results have pushed them down to fourth place and left them facing the possibility of missing out despite a remarkable start to the campaign.
At present, PBKS could still reach the playoffs on 13 points without needing net run rate, provided a number of other results go their way. But the opposite scenario is also possible: they could finish with 17 points and still miss out, because four other teams can still end above that mark.
Two of their final three fixtures are against sides already eliminated from IPL 2026. On paper, that could be seen as a benefit, but teams with nothing left to lose can be dangerous opponents, so the situation may not be straightforward.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 1.103
Remaining matches: KKR (h), PBKS (a), SRH (a)
RCB’s dramatic last-ball victory over MI on Sunday lifted them to the top of the standings. Even so, they still require two more wins to be close to certain of a playoff place, since four other sides could move past them if they stop at 16 points.
In a highly unusual scenario, five teams could still finish on 18 points or more. However, RCB’s outstanding net run rate of 1.103, comfortably the best in the competition, means 18 points would almost certainly be enough for them to qualify.
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Their run-in is not easy. Two of their last three games are against teams currently in the top four, though PBKS are struggling for form. Before those matches, they face KKR, who are eighth but still very much alive in the playoff race.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 0.737
Remaining matches: GT (a), CSK (a), RCB (h)
Sunrisers Hyderabad have gathered strong momentum, winning six of their last seven matches. But even if they beat GT on Tuesday and move to 16 points, they will not be guaranteed qualification, as four teams could still finish ahead of that total.
At the same time, SRH’s current tally of 14 points may yet be enough if other results fall in their favour. Their position remains promising, but not secure.
If PBKS and RR win all their remaining games, while RCB and GT win two of their last three, then five teams, including SRH, could finish on 18 or more points. SRH’s net run rate of 0.737 is currently the second-best in the league behind RCB, and that may prove important both for qualification and for a possible top-two finish.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 0.228
Remaining matches: SRH (h), KKR (a), CSK (h)
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Gujarat Titans are level with RCB and SRH on 14 points, with three matches still to play. Like those two teams, they can still qualify even from their current position, but even 18 points would not make them completely safe in every possible scenario.
Their form, however, is a major positive. GT have won four matches in a row and will play two of their remaining three fixtures at home, giving them a valuable platform in the final phase of the league stage.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 11, Points: 12, NRR: 0.185
Remaining matches: LSG (a), SRH (h), GT (a)
Chennai Super Kings began the season poorly, losing their first three games, but they have recovered strongly with six wins in their last eight matches. If they win their next match and lose the final two, they could still reach the top four, but only if several other results align, including PBKS losing all three remaining fixtures and RR winning no more than one more game.
However, 16 points may also fall short because four teams can still go beyond that total. Eighteen points would guarantee CSK qualification, as the remaining contenders play each other and therefore cannot all reach 18 or more.
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 11, Points: 12, NRR: 0.082
Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), MI (a)
Rajasthan Royals’ campaign has lost momentum after five defeats in their last seven matches. Long breaks between games have also allowed several teams to overtake them in the standings. Only a couple of weeks ago, after their ninth match, RR were placed third with 12 points, although they had played one match more than other sides. They are now sixth and under pressure to stay alive.
Qualification on 14 points is still possible, but only if multiple results go their way. Even if they win all three remaining games and reach 18 points, net run rate may still become a deciding factor.
Their final three matches are against teams in the bottom four, including two already eliminated sides, which could help their chances. After a very spread-out schedule, though, RR now face a demanding finish, with matches against DC and LSG across three days on May 17 and 19 at different venues, Delhi and Jaipur.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 10, Points: 9, NRR: -0.169
Remaining matches: RCB (a), GT (h), MI (h), DC (h)
KKR are the only team among the contenders to have played fewer than 11 matches, leaving them with eight points still available. If they win all four and finish on 17, they will be in a strong position to qualify, though even that would not make qualification certain because four other teams could still end on 17 or more.
A route to the playoffs with 13 points exists only in an extremely unlikely scenario, requiring almost every other result to go in their favour.
KKR’s advantage is that three of their final four matches are at home. They have won only one of their four games at Eden Gardens so far, including a washout, but that came before their current surge in form, during which they have won four consecutive matches.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 12, Points: 10, NRR: -0.993
Remaining matches: RR (h), KKR (a)
Delhi Capitals’ win over PBKS has kept them alive, though only narrowly. Their equation is clear: they must win both remaining matches by the biggest possible margins, reach 14 points, and then hope several other results work in their favour.
Their net run rate makes the challenge even tougher. At -0.993, DC have the worst NRR among all teams, leaving them with little room for error.
DC will play the final league-stage match against KKR at Eden Gardens on May 24. If either side is still in contention when that game arrives, it will mean the final 12 days of the league stage have produced some major twists.
