IPL 2026 Playoff Scenario: How Can CSK, KKR, DC, RR, PBKS Qualify for Playoffs? Full Scenario Explained

The IPL 2026 is edging towards its conclusion of the group stages, and there are three teams that have advanced to the playoffs.

As Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Chennai Super Kings on Monday (May 18), the SRH have qualified for playoffs, along with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.

The latest points table means there are now five teams still in contention for one spot, the final playoff place as we head into the final seven matches of the season.

IPL 2026 Playoffs

The five teams in contention are - Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings.

IPL 2026 Playoff Qualification Scenario

In this article, let's have a look at how they can qualify for it.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR will have to win their last two matches and that will take them to 15 points. In this case, they will have to hope for Rajasthan Royals losing any one of their last two matches, while Punjab Kings may also need a defeat in their match against LSG. Both CSK and DC can only get a maximum of 14 points.

Rajasthan Royals

If Rajasthan Royals win their last two matches, they will qualify for the playoffs.

If RR win one out of their two matches, they will finish with 14 points. In this case, KKR will have to lose one out of two, ideally against Mumbai Indians. PBKS have to lose their match as well. CSK and DC may also require a defeat for the Royals to qualify.

Punjab Kings

Punjab, currently in a six-match losing streak, must win the final match in order to stay in the playoff race. Even if they win, they require

1. Rajasthan Royals defeated in one of their last two matches.

2. KKR to lose in one of their last two matches. If KKR win two, then PBKS and the Knight Riders will be in the NRR territory.

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings can reach the maximum of 14 points. In their case, this is how they can qualify-

1. Kolkata Knight Riders to win against Delhi Capitals, but lose against Mumbai Indians.

2. Rajasthan Royals to lose both of their last two matches against LSG and MI, or win one of them in very narrow margin. In that case, CSK will have to win big to get a better NRR.

3. Punjab Kings will have to lose their last match against LSG.

4. Delhi Capitals can win their last match against KKR, but DC are likely to have an inferior NRR compared to CSK.

All four points have to match in order for CSK to qualify for the playoffs.

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals can also reach a maximum of 14 points. This is how they can reach the playoffs, given they beat KKR by a huge margin of more than 100 runs or something like that.

1. CSK have to lose their last match by a massive margin.

2. Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings have to lose their respective matches.