Three playoff positions are already secured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. But the battle for the last place is still open with six league fixtures remaining.
While Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are already eliminated, five franchises remain mathematically in contention — Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Here is what each side requires from this point onward.
Rajasthan Royals: One victory should be enough
RR have pushed themselves into prime position after reaching 14 points from 13 matches. They currently sit fourth with a marginally positive net run rate and, among the teams still chasing the final playoff place, they possess the strongest advantage.
Remaining fixture:
vs Mumbai Indians (Away)
The equation is simple for RR. A win against MI will move them to 16 points, and they will clinch the final IPL 2026 playoff berth directly.
The scheduling also favours RR. By the time they face MI on the afternoon of May 24, they will already know the outcomes of KKR vs MI, GT vs CSK, SRH vs RCB and LSG vs PBKS. That means RR could arrive at Wankhede fully aware of the exact requirement.
The ideal RR scenario is:
-
KKR lose to MI
-
CSK lose to GT
-
PBKS lose to LSG
If all three occur, RR qualify even before stepping onto the field against MI.
The one situation RR would prefer to avoid is a crowded 14-point tie involving DC and CSK. Their NRR is only narrowly positive at present, so a heavy loss to MI could still create complications if several sides finish level.
But among all remaining contenders, RR remain best positioned because qualification stays entirely in their own hands.
Punjab Kings: Must defeat LSG and rely on other outcomes
PBKS have collapsed at the wrong moment with five consecutive losses, but they still remain alive.
Remaining fixture:
vs Lucknow Super Giants (Away)
A victory over LSG moves PBKS to 15 points. That total can still be enough for fourth place, but only if several other outcomes go their way.
The most significant result for PBKS before they play is KKR vs MI. If KKR lose that fixture, one direct rival is removed from contention. PBKS would also prefer GT defeating CSK because a CSK win would take them to 14, ahead of PBKS before their final game, increasing pressure on Shreyas Iyer’s side.
The ideal PBKS scenario is:
-
KKR lose to MI
-
CSK lose to GT
-
RR lose to MI
-
DC lose to KKR
However, if RR defeat MI on Saturday, the PBKS vs LSG outcome becomes irrelevant because RR would advance to 16 points and secure the final IPL 2026 playoff berth.
Chennai Super Kings: Need a win and substantial assistance
CSK are still mathematically alive, but they likely left themselves too much work earlier in the tournament.
Remaining fixture:
vs Gujarat Titans (Away)
A win over GT takes CSK to 14 points. But even then, qualification remains difficult unless several other results favour them.
The first thing CSK require is a KKR defeat against MI. If KKR win both their remaining matches, they can reach 15 points and move beyond CSK. CSK would also want PBKS to lose to LSG because PBKS can otherwise climb to 15 as well.
Most importantly, CSK need RR to lose against MI. If RR win and advance to 16, the final playoff berth is effectively unavailable.
The ideal CSK scenario is:
-
Beat GT convincingly to improve NRR
-
KKR lose at least one match
-
PBKS lose to LSG
-
RR lose to MI
-
DC lose to KKR
Even then, CSK could still finish tied on 14 points with RR, making NRR the deciding factor.
The challenge for CSK is that their NRR is currently slightly negative.
Delhi Capitals: One victory required, and even that may still fall short
DC have one fixture remaining, which leaves them with a path to 14 points. But their weak net run rate means they have almost no margin for mistakes.
Remaining fixture:
vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Away)
The biggest concern for DC is their NRR of -0.871, comfortably the weakest among the contenders. That means any tie on points becomes risky.
The ideal DC scenario is:
- KKR lose to MI
- RR lose to MI
- PBKS lose to LSG
- DC beat KKR by a large margin
In this situation, the final league fixture between KKR and DC effectively becomes an eliminator. The losing side is knocked out, while the winner moves ahead.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Must secure both wins, and still rely on outside results
KKR likely face the most difficult route among the realistic challengers.
Remaining fixtures:
vs Mumbai Indians (Home)
vs Delhi Capitals (Home)
KKR are sitting on 11 points from 12 matches. Winning both games moves them to 15.
The ideal KKR scenario is:
- Beat MI
- Beat DC
- GT beat CSK
- LSG beat PBKS
- RR lose to MI
If all those outcomes occur, KKR can squeeze through with 15 points.
The issue for KKR is that even after winning both matches, they may still remain vulnerable if RR reach 16 or PBKS climb to 15 with a superior NRR.
Their NRR is also marginally negative, so they cannot afford tight victories. A commanding win over MI could significantly strengthen their position before the final-day meeting with DC.
The positive for KKR is the scheduling. They play once before RR face MI, which means they can continue building pressure and force RR into a must-win scenario.