Table of Contents
The ongoing Indian Premier League season is more than halfway through and the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs is entering its business end.
Like last season, the top four teams at the end of the IPL 2026 league stage will qualify for the playoffs. If teams finish level on points after 14 matches, Net Run Rate (NRR) will determine the standings.
As things stand, after match 52, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru occupy the top four positions on the IPL 2026 points table.
However, none of the teams has sealed their places in the IPL 2026 playoffs yet.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians were the first teams to be eliminated from the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
After LSG lost to CSK on May 10, MI’s defeat at the hands of RCB later on the same day sealed both team’s fate.
The top two teams will face off in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the final. Teams placed third and fourth will meet in the Eliminator, where the loser will be eliminated.
The loser of Qualifier 1 will then take on the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 for the remaining place in the final.
In the IPL, 70-match group stages have been a constant feature since the 2022 season. In IPL 2022, 2023 and 2025, the cut-off to make the playoffs have been 16 points.
In IPL 2024, RCB were fourth with 14 points – after finishing above three more teams with the same tally – courtesy of a superior Net Run Rate.
IPL 2026 playoffs qualification scenarios
How can CSK qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: LSG, SRH, GT
- Current points: 12
- Maximum points possible: 18
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings still need two wins from their remaining three group games to hit the magic mark of 16 this season.
CSK have made the playoffs 12 times in 16 seasons – the most by any team in IPL history – but will have their work cut out for them to hit the mark this season.
Can DC qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: PBKS, RR, KKR
- Current points: 8
- Maximum points possible: 14
Despite an in-form KL Rahul, the Delhi Capitals have struggled to convert starts to wins this season and have an uphill task to qualify for the playoffs. DC will need to win all of their remaining four games to hit 14 points and give themselves an outside shot.
Overall, DC have qualified for the playoffs six times, with their last progression coming back in 2021.
Can GT qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: SRH, KKR, CSK
- Current points: 14
- Maximum points possible: 20
Since their IPL debut in 2022, the Gujarat Titans have qualified for the playoffs three times, with their only miss coming in 2024. The former champions are in the running this year too and can hit the magic mark of 16 with one more victory in their remaining three games.
Can KKR qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 4
- Yet to play: RCB, GT, MI, DC
- Current points: 9
- Maximum points possible: 17
Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders have recovered from a torrid start and have given themselves a fighting chance of making the top four. Mathematically, KKR can still hit 17 points if they win all of their remaining matches this campaign
KKR have qualified for the playoffs eight times in 18 seasons. Only CSK and MI have managed more.
Can LSG qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: CSK, RR, PBKS
- Current points: 6
- Maximum points possible: 12
Lucknow Super Giants have already been eliminated from the playoffs and can reach a maximum of 12 points even if they win all their remaining games.
LSG have played the IPL playoffs twice in their four completed seasons.
Can MI qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: PBKS, KKR, RR
- Current points: 6
- Maximum points possible: 12
Following a tough start to the season, five-time champions Mumbai Indians were one of the first two teams to be eliminated after a loss to RCB.
MI have made the playoffs 11 times in 19 seasons – a number only bettered by CSK.
Can PBKS qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 4
- Yet to play: DC, MI, RCB, LSG
- Current points: 13
- Maximum points possible: 21
Last year’s finalists Punjab Kings have been in brilliant form this season. However, they dropped a few points due to a washout in Kolkata and three back-to-back losses. They need just three more points to hit the magic mark.
Shreyas Iyer’s men are also in the running to break the record for most points in the IPL group stages – 20 – in the current 70-game format. PBKS have made the IPL playoffs thrice and the final twice.
Can RR qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
- Matches left: 3
- Yet to play: DC, LSG, MI
- Current points: 12
- Maximum points possible: 18
After going unbeaten in their first four games this season, inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals have stuttered, managing just two more wins in their next seven games.
Despite the stumble, though, Riyan Parag and Co. are still very much in the hunt for the playoffs and can still hit a ceiling of 18 points. RR have made it past the group stage six times to date.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ipl-2026-playoffs-qualified-teams-qualification-scenarios
