- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 06 May 2026 11:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios: After a slow start, Chennai Super Kings have revived their playoff hopes by winning three of their last four matches. With four matches left, eight more points will secure their spot. However, since the top-four race is highly competitive, none of the 10 teams has been mathematically eliminated.
Teams such as the Shreyas Iyer-led squad and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru occupy the top two positions on the points table. SRH, the Riyan Parag-led side, and the Gujarat Titans have each collected 12 points, while the Punjab-based franchise and the Rajat Patidar-led team have played one fewer match than SRH, RR, and GT.
Qualification scenario for all 10 teams in IPL 2026:
PBKS: With five matches left, they need to win two to finish with 17 points and secure a playoff spot. Even a single win might suffice due to their impressive NRR of (+0.855).
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RCB: To stay in playoff contention, they need to win two or three matches to finish with 16-18 points. Their strong NRR of (+1.420) gives them a significant advantage, allowing them to qualify even with 14 points if other outcomes favor them.
SRH: Needing two wins from their four remaining matches, SRH can reach 16 points. Thanks to their formidable batting, their NRR stands at 0.644, offering crucial leverage in tie-breakers.
RR: Like the Pat Cummins-led team, RR must win two matches to end with 16 points. Despite some inconsistency, maintaining an NRR of (+0.510) will help them stay ahead of trailing teams.
GT has the same number of points as the top four teams but suffers a negative NRR. They must win at least two of four matches by large margins to boost their NRR above RR or SRH.
CSK: To reach 16 points, CSK must win three of their next four matches. Their positive NRR of (+0.151) could give them a crucial advantage if several teams finish with 14 or 16 points.
DC: To avoid elimination, they must win all remaining matches and finish with 16 points. Any further losses will make DC reliant on other teams' results and require large-margin wins to overcome their NRR of (-0.949).
KKR: Their path is clear—they must win all five remaining matches to finish with 17 points. Given their poor NRR (-0.539), even four wins and 15 points would leave them short.
MI: The most they can score is 14 points. They have to win all their remaining matches and hope that all the teams currently on 12 points lose theirs. Their NRR of (-0.649) will pose a huge challenge to their playoff hopes.
LSG is nearly eliminated. Even if they win all five remaining matches, they will finish with 14 points; their poor NRR (-1.706) severely impedes their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.