IPL 2026 Playoff Race: How PBKS, RR And KKR Can Qualify? All Scenarios Explained

The race for the final playoff spot in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will go down to the last double-header on Sunday, with Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all still mathematically in contention.

Punjab’s victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday officially knocked Delhi Capitals out of the playoff race. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have already booked their spots —  with the first two slated to face off in the Qualifier 1, with the latter awaiting their Eliminator opponent.

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IPL 2026 Points Table

POSITION	TEAM	MATCHES	WINS	DEFEATS	NO RESULT	POINTS	NRR
1.	Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q)	14	9	5	0	18	0.783
2.	Gujarat Titans (Q)	14	9	5	0	18	0.695
3.	Sunrisers Hyderabad (Q)	14	9	5	0	18	0.524
4.	Punjab Kings	14	7	6	1	15	0.309
5.	Rajasthan Royals	13	7	6	0	14	0.083
6.	Kolkata Knight Riders	13	6	6	1	13	0.011
7.	Chennai Super Kings (E)	14	6	8	0	12	-0.345
8.	Delhi Capitals (E)	13	6	7	0	12	-0.871
9.	Mumbai Indians (E)	13	4	9	0	8	0.510
10.	Lucknow Super Giants (E)	13	4	9	0	8	-0.702

Here’s How PBKS, RR And KKR Can Qualify For Playoffs –

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings currently occupy fourth place with 15 points from 14 matches and a net run rate

of +0.309. Their fate, however, is no longer entirely in their own hands.

For PBKS to qualify comfortably, they need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals. They would also prefer Delhi Capitals to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders later in the evening.

Even if KKR win and finish level with Punjab on 15 points, PBKS still hold a major advantage in net run rate. Kolkata would need an extraordinary victory margin to overtake them.

Assuming a first-innings score of 200, KKR must either win by at least 77 runs or chase down the target within 12.1 overs. They could also qualify by finishing the chase in 12.4 overs if the winning runs come via a six after the scores are level.

Rajasthan Royals

The equation for Rajasthan Royals is the simplest among the three contenders. Led by Riyan Parag, RR sit on 14 points from 13 matches.

A win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium will immediately seal a playoff berth with 16 points. However, a defeat or even a washout will eliminate them because they would remain behind Punjab on points or net run rate.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR remain outsiders in the race with 13 points from 13 matches and a net run rate of +0.011.

First, they need Rajasthan Royals to lose against Mumbai Indians. Then they must defeat Delhi Capitals by a huge margin at Eden Gardens to surpass Punjab’s superior net run rate and sneak into the top four.