IPL 2026 playoffs qualification scenario for all teams

The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) has reached its business end as the race to the playoffs is intensifying with just 15 games remaining in the league stage. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) became the first two teams to get knocked out of the ongoing season, following MI’s loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 54 of the tournament in Raipur.

However, eight teams are still in contention to make it to the next stage and will bring their A game to the fore in the final two weeks of the league stage. The race for the top two positions is even tighter with the top three sides (RCB, SRH, GT) tied on 14 points each. With the playoffs dates coming closer, here’s how all eight teams can get qualify for the next stage and get a step closer to winning the coveted trophy:

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

The defending champions are comfortably sitting atop the IPL 2026 points table with seven wins from 11 matches, having 14 points to their name.  They can qualify ahead if they satisfy any of the following three conditions:

A: Win all 3 remaining games and rely on no one else

B: Win 2 of their remaining 3 games and hope CSK and RR both lose one game each

C: Win 1 out of their 3 remaining games, and hope CSK and RR lose at least 2 of their remaining games

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

The Pat Cummins-led side is also in a comfortable position on the points table, occupying the second spot with 14 points from 11 games. For SRH to advance, they must:

A: Win all 3 of their remaining games and rely on no one else

B: Win 2 of their remaining 3 games and hope CSK and RR both lose one game each

C: Win 1 out of their 3 remaining games, and hope CSK and RR lose at least 2 of their remaining games

3. Gujarat Titans (GT)

The 2022 champions are in rich form, having won seven out of their last nine fixtures. They have 14 points to their name as well from 11 games. In their four-year-long history of IPL, GT have missed the playoffs just once in 2024, and they will qualify again if:

A: Win all their remaining 3 games and rely on no one else

B: Win 2 of their remaining 3 games and hope CSK and RR both lose one game each

C: Win 1 out of their 3 remaining games, and hope CSK and RR lose at least 2 of their remaining games

4. Punjab Kings (PBKS)

The last season’s runners-up got off to a terrific start to the season, remaining unbeaten for the first seven matches. However, their campaign has gone astray after losing their last four matches. Punjab are still favourites to make it to the playoffs if they:

A: Win at least 3 out of their remaining 3 games to rely on no one

B: Win 2 out of their 3 remaining games and hope CSK and RR lose at least 1 of their remaining games

C: Win 1 out of their 3 remaining games, and hope CSK and RR lose at least 2 of their remaining games

5. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The five-time champions have bounced back in style after losing their first three matches on the trot. They’re gradually moving up the points table with every win and are currently placed fifth with 12 points from 11 matches. CSK have qualified for the playoffs most times in IPL history, and they could well qualify again if they meet either of the two conditions.

A: Win 3 of their remaining 3 games, and hope that SRH, GT and RCB all lose at least 2 of their remaining games, and RR & KKR both lose at least 1 of their remaining games

B: Win 2 of their remaining 3 games and hope that SRH, GT and RCB all lose all of their remaining games, and RR & KKR both lose at least 2 of their remaining games

6. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

The Riyan Parag-led side started the season with four successive wins but has lost its way in the last seven fixtures, winning just twice. As a result, Rajasthan have slipped out of the top four to occupy the sixth spot with 12 points from 11 games. They still have a great chance to make it to the playoffs after a gap of two years by fulfilling any of the three conditions below.

A: Win 3 of their remaining 3 games, hope that SRH, GT and RCB lose at least 1 of their remaining games and that PBKS lose at least 2 of their remaining games

B: Win 2 of their remaining 3 games, hope that PBKS lose at least 2 of their remaining 3 games, and SRH, GT and RCB lose at least 2 of their remaining games. Also need both CSK & KKR to lose at least 1of their remaining games.

C: Win 1 of their remaining 3 games, hope that SRH, GT, RCB & PBKS lose all their remaining games, and that CSK & KKR lose at least

7. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals managed to stay alive in the playoffs race with a much-needed 3-wicket win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 55. They’re currently placed seventh on the points table with ten points from 12 games. DC still have a slight chance to advance ahead, but they need a lot of things to go their way.

The Axar Patel-led side not only needs to win its last two games but must also hope that all 4 of RCB, GT, PBKS and SRH lose all their remaining games. They further require both RR and CSK to lose at least 2 of their remaining 3 games, and KKR to lose 2 of their remaining 4 games. However, one more loss will knock them out of the competition.

8. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

After being unable to taste victory in their first six fixtures, KKR have got themselves on a victory run, having won their last four fixtures back-to-back. KKR are placed eighth on the points table with nine points from ten games. 

To make it to the playoffs, they must win all four of their remaining games. They must also hope that all 4 of SRH, RCB, GT and PBKS lose at least 2 of their remaining games. Furthermore, RR and CSK also need to lose at least 1 of their remaining games for KKR to make a surprise entry into the playoffs.

They can also advance ahead by winning 3 of their remaining 4 games. Alongside that, they will have to hope that all three of SRH, RCB, GT lose all their remaining games. Not just that, they would also require PBKS to lose at least 2 out of 3 games, along with RR & CSK losing at least 2 of their remaining games