IPL 2026: The Indian Premier League 2026 playoff race has entered a crucial phase as teams battle for a place in the top four of the points table. While a few teams are on the verge of qualification, others are depending on favorable results to stay alive in the competition.
IPL 2026 PBKS vs MI Match Full Scorecard: Click Here
As per IPL rules, the top four teams in the points table will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams will play Qualifier 1, where the winner advances directly to the final, while the loser gets another opportunity in Qualifier 2. The third and fourth-placed teams will meet in the Eliminator.
Here is a look at the qualification scenarios of all teams in IPL 2026:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are currently at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 16 points from 12 matches and a net run rate of +1.053.
RCB need just one win from their remaining two league games to confirm a playoff berth. Two wins would take them to 20 points and strengthen their chances of finishing in the top two.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans are placed second with 16 points from 12 matches and a net run rate of +0.551.
Shubman Gill’s side require one more victory from their remaining two games to officially secure playoff qualification and move closer to a top-two finish.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad occupy third place with 14 points from 12 games and a net run rate of +0.331.
SRH need one more win to reach 16 points and secure qualification. If they win both remaining matches, they could finish inside the top two and qualify for Qualifier 1.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings are fourth in the standings with 13 points from 12 games and a net run rate of +0.355.
After suffering five consecutive defeats, PBKS now need to win both remaining matches to guarantee qualification with 17 points. One win could still keep them alive, but qualification would then depend on other results.
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings have revived their campaign after a difficult start and currently have 12 points from 11 matches with a net run rate of +0.185.
The five-time champions likely need at least two wins from their remaining three games to reach the 16-point mark, which is generally considered enough for qualification.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals are sixth with 12 points from 11 games and a net run rate of +0.082.
RR need to win at least two of their remaining three matches to stay firmly in the playoff race. Winning all three would take them to 18 points.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals are seventh with 10 points from 12 matches after reviving their campaign with a win over Punjab Kings.
Axar Patel’s side must win both remaining games to reach 14 points. Even then, DC will require favourable results from other teams and may also need a significant improvement in net run rate.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders remain mathematically alive with nine points from 11 matches and a net run rate of -0.198.
The former champions need victories in all three remaining matches to finish on 15 points. KKR will also depend heavily on results involving other teams to stay in contention.
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have been eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff race despite their recent win over Punjab Kings.
The five-time champions have only eight points from 12 matches and can reach a maximum of 12 points, which will not be enough for qualification.
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants became the first team to be knocked out of IPL 2026 playoff contention.
Rishabh Pant’s side has managed only three wins from 11 matches and sits at the bottom of the table with six points and a net run rate of -0.907.
Updated IPL 2026 Points Table After PBKS vs MI Match
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|
| 1 | RCB | 12 | 8 | 4 | 16 | +1.053 |
| 2 | GT | 12 | 8 | 4 | 16 | +0.551 |
| 3 | SRH | 12 | 7 | 5 | 14 | +0.331 |
| 4 | PBKS | 12 | 6 | 5 | 13 | +0.355 |
| 5 | CSK | 11 | 6 | 5 | 12 | +0.185 |
| 6 | RR | 11 | 6 | 5 | 12 | +0.082 |
| 7 | DC | 12 | 5 | 7 | 10 | -0.993 |
| 8 | KKR | 11 | 4 | 6 | 9 | -0.198 |
| 9 | MI | 12 | 4 | 8 | 8 | -0.504 |
| 10 | LSG | 11 | 3 | 8 | 6 | -0.907 |
