After starting the season with four straight wins, RR has slowed down significantly, managing just two victories in its next seven games. This has jeopardised their position to qualify, bringing a lot of permutations and combinations to the picture. Although LSG defeating CSK on 15th May helped RR to bounce back to fifth spot with a better NRR. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) can guarantee a top-four playoff spot in the IPL 2026 season by winning two of their final three matches.
Times have become desperate for the RR skipper Riyan Parag as they have to win the next two games to qualify, and that too will depend on a few other wins and losses by other IPL teams. In this article, we take a look at how RR can qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
How can RR qualify for IPL 2026 Playoffs?
As of May
16, 2026, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are positioned at the 4th spot in the points table with 12 points in total. If RR can win three out of the three matches, they will finish on 18 points and will surely qualify for the playoffs. If RR wins two of their remaining three matches, they will finish with 16 points. Ideally, this is enough to qualify, but their NRR has taken a massive hit lately, which can bring other teams into the picture depending on their wins. If RR only win one of their two remaining matches, then the RR might get out of the top four.
RR would next lock horns with Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Supergiants, and Mumbai Indians to fight their way towards qualification.
Read Also: PBKS still qualify for the IPL 2026 Playoffs
PBKS must win all remaining matches
RR vs DC - RR Win- 17th May
RR vs LSG - RR win- 19th May
RR vs MI - RR win - 24th May
Not only is their fate in the hands of other teams, as that would hugely affect their qualification chances because winning only at this point is not enough in the overcrowded IPL 2026 points table.
The Breakdown
The 18-Point Scenario (Easy Qualification)
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What it takes: Winning all 3 remaining matches.
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Result: Reaching 18 points guarantees a playoff spot and strongly positions RR for a top-two finish.
The 16-Point Scenario (Moderate Safe)
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What it takes: Winning 2 of their final 3 matches.
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Result: 6 points is the benchmark for the 10-team IPL to reach the top four. However, because of a recent heavy loss, RR's Net Run Rate (NRR)had a decline. They would need to win these games convincingly to avoid being eliminated by teams like CSK or RCB in an NRR tie-breaker
The 14-Point Scenario (Risky Zone)
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What it takes: Winning only 1 of their final 3 matches.
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Result: Finishing on 14 points would be fate in hands as RR would be highly vulnerable, heavily relying on other teams (such as PBKS and RCB) to drop points, and would need to survive a tense NRR tie-breaker.
With only a few league games remaining, the DC vs RR match could end up eliminating one team while massively increasing another team’s chance to qualify on 17th May.
