The IPL 2026 playoff race continues to grow tighter even though no team has officially secured qualification yet.
While Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super
Giants are already eliminated, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans have taken massive steps towards the playoffs over the last two days. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders' defeat to RCB in Raipur has left their campaign hanging by a thread.
Here's a full breakdown of where every remaining contender stands after Match 57.
IPL 2026 points table after RCB vs KKR
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 16 | +1.053 |
| GT | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 16 | +0.551 |
| SRH | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 14 | +0.331 |
| PBKS | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 13 | +0.428 |
| CSK | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.185 |
| RR | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.082 |
| DC | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | -0.993 |
| KKR | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 9 | -0.198 |
| MI | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 6 | -0.585 |
| LSG | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 6 | -0.907 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Remaining fixtures: PBKS (A), SRH (A)
RCB are now in an excellent position after back-to-back wins in Raipur pushed them to 16 points.
A win against Punjab Kings would officially guarantee playoff qualification by taking them to 18 points. Their massive net run rate of +1.053 also gives them a major advantage in any tie scenario.
However, qualification is not mathematically sealed yet. If RCB lose both remaining matches, they could still be dragged into an NRR battle depending on how CSK, RR, PBKS and SRH finish.
Right now though, Rajat Patidar's side looks firmly on course for both qualification and a possible top-two finish.
Gujarat Titans
Remaining fixtures: KKR (A), CSK (H)
GT currently look like the most complete side in the tournament.
Five consecutive wins have taken them to 16 points, and two more victories would guarantee a top-two finish. Even one win should almost certainly seal qualification.
The only real danger scenario for Gujarat comes if they lose both remaining matches while multiple other contenders finish strongly around them.
Still, with form, momentum and NRR all improving, Shubman Gill's side remain among the favourites for the title.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Remaining fixtures: CSK (A), RCB (H)
SRH's heavy defeat to Gujarat Titans significantly damaged both their momentum and net run rate.
Pat Cummins' side now face two direct playoff rivals in their final matches. Winning both games would comfortably secure qualification and potentially a top-two finish.
If SRH win only one match, they would ideally want it to come against Chennai Super Kings, preventing CSK from overtaking them on points.
Even qualification on 14 points remains mathematically possible, but SRH would then need several other results to fall perfectly in their favour.
Punjab Kings
Remaining fixtures: MI (H), RCB (H), LSG (A)
Punjab Kings have suddenly become one of the most vulnerable teams in the playoff race after four straight defeats.
After starting the season unbeaten in seven matches, PBKS have slipped to fourth and are now under significant pressure heading into the final stretch.
Winning all three remaining matches would guarantee a top-two finish with 19 points. But if they lose even one game, qualification may depend heavily on other results and NRR calculations.
The positive for PBKS is that two of their final three games are against already-eliminated teams.
Chennai Super Kings
Remaining fixtures: LSG (A), SRH (H), GT (A)
CSK have quietly rebuilt their campaign after a disastrous start to the season.
A win against Lucknow Super Giants could potentially push Chennai into the top four for the first time all year. Winning all three remaining matches would take them to 18 points, although even that does not mathematically guarantee qualification because multiple contenders can still reach that mark.
Chennai can also qualify with 16 or even 14 points, but those scenarios would require several favourable results elsewhere.
Rajasthan Royals
Remaining fixtures: DC (A), LSG (H), MI (A)
Rajasthan Royals have lost momentum after dropping out of the top four following defeat to Gujarat Titans.
The scheduling has also worked strangely against RR. They have played only one match since May 2, allowing multiple teams to overtake them in the standings.
Their remaining schedule appears favourable on paper because all three opponents currently sit in the bottom half of the table. However, since RR do not directly face many playoff rivals, they could still potentially miss out even after winning all three games.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Remaining fixtures: GT (H), MI (H), DC (H)
KKR's defeat to RCB has now left their playoff hopes outside their control.
At best, Ajinkya Rahane's side can finish on 15 points if they win all three remaining matches. Even then, qualification would still depend on several other results because six teams can still potentially finish above them.
The biggest positive for KKR is that all three remaining games are at Eden Gardens, where they will hope to continue the momentum built during their recent winning streak.
Anything less than three wins would almost certainly end their playoff hopes.
Delhi Capitals
Remaining fixtures: RR (H), KKR (A)
Delhi Capitals remain alive mathematically, but their margin for error is completely gone.
The equation is now straightforward:
win both remaining matches
improve their net run rate
hope several other contenders stumble
DC's biggest issue remains their terrible NRR of -0.993, comfortably the worst among all playoff contenders. That means even if they finish level on points with another side, they are likely to lose out.
Their ideal scenario is GT, RCB and SRH continuing to win consistently so that teams below them fail to cross 14 points, allowing DC to sneak through without an NRR battle.
IPL 2026 playoff race entering final chaos
At the moment:
- RCB and GT are closest to qualification
- SRH and PBKS still remain favourites
- CSK and RR are chasing hard
- KKR need near-perfect results
- DC need miracles
With nearly every contender still playing another contender, the IPL 2026 playoff race is now heading towards a potentially chaotic final week.
