NEW DELHI: The race for the final IPL 2026 playoff spot has narrowed to just three teams after Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a crucial seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Powered by captain Shreyas Iyer's magnificent unbeaten 101, PBKS snapped a six-match losing streak to keep their qualification hopes alive.
PBKS Wait on RR vs MI Result
Punjab Kings have completed all their league matches with 15 points from 14 games. However, their fate is no longer in their own hands. They must now wait anxiously for Sunday's clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mumbai. PBKS will hope RR lose to already-eliminated MI, and also want Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to either lose or fail to register a big win in their final match.
Ideal Scenario for PBKS
- RR lose to MI
- DC beat KKR
Simple Equation for Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals currently have 14 points. A win over Mumbai Indians will take them to 16 points and seal a playoff berth as the fourth-placed side. However, a defeat would knock them out of the tournament.
Ideal Scenario for RR
- Beat MI
KKR Still Alive, but Need a Miracle
Kolkata Knight Riders, with 13 points, remain mathematically alive ahead of their final league game against Delhi Capitals (DC). KKR need a huge win over DC and also require RR to lose against MI. If RR lose and KKR win, both KKR and PBKS will finish on 15 points, bringing net run rate into the equation. KKR have a net run rate of +0.011, while PBKS have +0.309.
Ideal Scenario for KKR
- KKR beat DC by a huge margin
- RR lose to MI
Delhi Capitals Knocked Out
Delhi Capitals' slim playoff hopes depended on PBKS losing to LSG. However, PBKS' victory officially eliminated DC from the tournament.
Points Table Snapshot
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q) - 14 matches, 9 wins, 5 losses, 18 points, NRR +0.783
- Gujarat Titans (Q) - 14 matches, 9 wins, 5 losses, 18 points, NRR +0.695
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (Q) - 14 matches, 9 wins, 5 losses, 18 points, NRR +0.524
- Punjab Kings - 14 matches, 7 wins, 6 losses, 1 no result, 15 points, NRR +0.309
- Rajasthan Royals - 13 matches, 7 wins, 6 losses, 14 points, NRR +0.083
- Kolkata Knight Riders - 13 matches, 6 wins, 6 losses, 1 no result, 13 points, NRR +0.011
- Chennai Super Kings (E) - 14 matches, 6 wins, 8 losses, 12 points, NRR -0.345
- Delhi Capitals (E) - 13 matches, 6 wins, 7 losses, 12 points, NRR -0.871
- Mumbai Indians (E) - 13 matches, 4 wins, 9 losses, 8 points, NRR -0.510
- Lucknow Super Giants (E) - 14 matches, 4 wins, 10 losses, 8 points, NRR -0.740
Three Teams Already Through
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans have already qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
