IPL 2026 Playoff Scenario: How Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals can qualify

Sumit Sharma Sports

IPL 2026 Playoff Scenario: How Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals can qualify

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) further intensified the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday, May 18. SRH’s win also confirmed Gujarat Titans’ place in the playoffs.

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore had confirmed their place in the playoffs. Defeated Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamshala On Sunday. With RCB, SRH and GT now qualifying for the playoffs, only one spot is left.

Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are all still in the race for the final playoff spot. The qualification race is expected to become more intense with seven matches left in the league stage.

CSK vs SRH: highlighted | Achievement:

Here we take a look at the playoff qualification scenario IPL 2026

punjab kings

Punjab Kings are in a tough spot with only one playoff spot left. 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 knock them out of the race.

PBKS also has a chance to qualify with 13 points. To bring that situation to the fore, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings will have to lose all their remaining matches. KKR will have to beat Delhi Capitals but lose to Mumbai Indians.

In that case, both KKR and PBKS will finish on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team will advance to the playoffs.

remaining fixtures

May 23: Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will qualify for the playoffs if they win both their remaining matches and are the only team whose fate is 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 can overtake them in terms of points, while Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings can also be level with them with 14 points each, due to which the net run rate will come in handy.

If Rajasthan loses both its remaining matches, it will lose 12 points and will be out of the competition.

remaining fixtures

May 19: Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants
May 24: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings will have to win their last league match and even then qualification is not guaranteed. Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders can still overtake them in terms of points. Even before the net run rate calculations are out, Delhi Capitals can catch them at 14 points.

If the Super Kings lose their last league match, they will be eliminated from the competition.

remaining fixtures

May 21: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals is in the same position as Chennai Super Kings with 12 points from 13 matches. However, the main difference is in their net run rates. DC’s net run rate of -0.871 is much lower than CSK’s -0.016, which means the Super Kings could have an advantage if the net run rate between the two sides drops.

For now, the equation is simple for the capitals. To remain in the race for the playoffs they will have to win their final league match, as a defeat will knock them out of the competition.

remaining fixtures

May 24: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders

If Kolkata Knight Riders win both their remaining matches, they will have 15 points, but even that may not guarantee qualification. Rajasthan Royals may still lead with 16 points, while Punjab Kings may also finish on 15, bringing net run rate into the equation.

KKR can also qualify with 13 points, but in that case Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals will have to lose all their remaining matches. In that case, both KKR and PBKS will finish on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team will advance to the playoffs.

However, if KKR loses both their remaining matches, they will be out of the competition.

remaining fixtures