5 Teams, 1 Place: IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios for 4th Place Explained

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made the IPL 2026 playoff race even more intense after 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 Bengaluru sealed their place in the playoffs after defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamsala on Sunday. With RCB, SRH and GT now qualified for the playoffs, only one spot remains available.

Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are still fighting for the final spot in the playoffs. With seven games remaining in the league stage, the qualifying race is expected to only intensify.

CSK vs SRH: MAIN | SCORECARD

Here we take a look at the IPL 2026 play off qualifying scenario

Punjabi kings

The Punjab Kings are in a tricky position with just one spot left in the playoffs. Even if they win their last league game to finish on 15 points, qualification is not guaranteed as Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals can still push them out of the race.

PBKS also have a chance to qualify with 13 points. For this scenario to play out, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings have to lose all their remaining matches. KKR would need to beat Delhi Capitals but lose to Mumbai Indians.

In that event, both KKR and PBKS would end up on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team would advance to the playoffs.

Remaining accessories

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 with their destiny 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 could surpass them on points, while Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings could also finish level with them on 14 points, bringing pure run rate into play.

If Rajasthan lose both their remaining matches, they will end up on 12 points and out of the competition.

Remaining accessories

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

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings need to win their last league game and qualification is not guaranteed even then. Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders can still overtake them on points. Even Delhi Capitals can catch them on 14 points before net run rate calculations come into the picture.

If the Super Kings lose their last league match, they will be out of the competition.

Remaining accessories

May 21: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans

Capital Delhi

Delhi Capitals are on par with Chennai Super Kings with 12 points from 13 matches. However, the key difference lies in their sheer speed of operation. DC’s net rate of -0.871 is significantly lower than CSK’s -0.016, meaning the Super Kings could have an advantage if the qualifiers come down to net rate between the two sides.

So far, the equation is simple for the Capitals. They need to win their last league game to stay alive in the play-offs as defeat would knock them out of the competition.

Remaining accessories

May 24: Delhi Capitals Vs. Kolkata Knight Riders

Knight Riders of Calcutta

If Kolkata Knight Riders win both their remaining matches, they will finish on 15 points, but even that may not guarantee qualification. Rajasthan Royals could still finish ahead with 16 points, while Punjab Kings can finish on 15 as well, bringing pure speed into the equation.

KKR can also qualify with 13 points, but this scenario requires Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals to lose all their remaining matches. In that event, both KKR and PBKS would end up on 13 points, with net run rate deciding which team would advance to the playoffs.

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

Remaining accessories

May 24: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

May 19, 2026 01:51 IST