IPL 2026 Super Sunday: One team waiting, two chasing the last playoff spot
After 68 matches, 25,105 runs and 793 wickets, the league stage of IPL 2026 will come down to one last dramatic day. One place in the playoffs remains. Three teams are still alive. And on Sunday night, two dreams will end while one advances to the playoffs.At the top, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans have already sealed the top two spots and will face off in Qualifier 1 after both finished on 18 points. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who also finished on 18 points but with a worse net pace, are locked in third place and will now await their Eliminator opponents.The fourth and final place in the playoffs is still undecided. And his fate rests on Super Sunday.Two games left:
- Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
- Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals
Current points:
- PBKS – 15 points (all matches played)
- RR – 14 points (1 match left against MI)
- KKR – 13 points (1 match left against DC)
Watching nervously from home will be Punjab Kings, whose league stage campaign is already over after 15 points from 14 matches. PBKS temporarily occupy fourth place, but their qualification fate is no longer in their own hands.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) qualify if…
- RR lose to MI
- If KKR lose or win the match – PBKS qualify directly
- If KKR beats DC in a close encounter – PBKS edge KKR on NRR
RR and KKR can still grab the spot. The equations are simple, at least at first.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) qualify if…
This takes RR to 16 points, automatically above PBKS (15) and the maximum possible total of KKR (15). No NRR calculations are needed.KKR enter the final day with 13 points and can only get to 15 with a win over DC. But even if it does, it may not be enough. Their current NRR of +0.011 is well behind +0.309 for PBKS, which means KKR don’t just need a win, but a massive win.If KKR bat first, they are likely to need a lead of around 76 runs or more to leapfrog PBKS on a clean sheet. If KKR are chasing, the requirement is even steeper in terms of scoring rate. Depending on the target, KKR will likely have to complete the chase around the 12-over mark.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) only qualify if:
- RR lose to MI
- And KKR beat DC by enough margin to beat PBKS at NRR.
KKR would need to win by 76+ runs to break their NRR for PBKS. If KKR were to chase successfully, KKR would need an extremely quick chase: around the 12 over mark.If KKR bat firstKKR Score First DC Score Margin Needed to Win16082 or less 78 runs 180103 or less 77 runs 200123 or less 77 runs 220144 or less 76 runs 240165 or less 76 runsIf KKR chase successfullyTargetKKR need to chase it down in 140-160 in 12 overs161-180 in 12.1 overs181-200 in 12.1 overs201-220 in 12.2 overs221-240 in 12.3 oversIf RR beat MI in the afternoon clash, the playoff race ends immediately. RR became the fourth qualifier and the evening game between KKR and DC became irrelevant for the qualifiers.But if MI upset RR, Eden Gardens will host a virtual knockout. PBKS suddenly become Delhi Capitals supporters for the night, hoping that DC will either win or avoid a crushing defeat.KKR, meanwhile, will know exactly what they need when they step onto the field.One last day. Two matches. Three contenders. One playoff spot remains.