The race for the IPL 2026 playoffs has reached its final stage, with three teams already confirming their spots in the top four. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first side to qualify, followed by Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With only one playoff berth remaining, the battle is now between Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The IPL 2026 league stage has once again produced a dramatic finish, with net run rate, close victories and final league games all playing a crucial role in shaping the standings.
RCB Finish on Top of the Table
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished the league stage with 18 points and the best net run rate among all teams. The defending champions won nine of their 14 matches and secured the top spot with an impressive net run rate of 0.783.
Led by veteran star Virat Kohli, RCB continued their momentum from last season’s title-winning campaign and qualified for the playoffs for the 11th time in franchise history.
Their consistency throughout the season, especially in high-pressure matches, made them one of the strongest sides in the tournament.
Gujarat Titans Continue Their Consistent IPL Run
Gujarat Titans once again proved why they are considered one of the IPL’s most reliable franchises since their debut in 2022. The former champions ended the league stage with 18 points and secured second place in the standings.
GT sealed qualification after defeating Chennai Super Kings in their final league match. Their strong net run rate of 0.695 ensured they stayed ahead of SRH in the points table.
The Titans have now reached the playoffs in four of their five IPL seasons, missing out only once in 2024.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Power Into Playoffs
Sunrisers Hyderabad qualified for the playoffs after a strong campaign driven largely by their explosive batting lineup. SRH also finished with 18 points but ended third because of a lower net run rate compared to RCB and GT.
The team’s aggressive top-order performances helped them dominate several matches this season. Their qualification marked the seventh playoff appearance in franchise history.
SRH’s balanced squad and attacking cricket have made them one of the most entertaining teams of IPL 2026.
Punjab Kings Still Waiting for Confirmation
Punjab Kings remain in contention for the fourth playoff spot after finishing their league campaign with 15 points. Last season’s finalists managed seven wins, six defeats and one no-result.
Under captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS stayed alive in the race after defeating Lucknow Super Giants in their final league game.
However, Punjab’s qualification now depends on other results. They need Rajasthan Royals to lose their final match and must also hope Kolkata Knight Riders fail to surpass their net run rate if KKR win their remaining fixture.
Rajasthan Royals Hold the Advantage
Rajasthan Royals currently appear to have the strongest chance of taking the final playoff position. RR have 14 points from 13 matches and can reach 16 points if they defeat Mumbai Indians in their final league match.
Despite a strong start to the season, Rajasthan struggled for consistency in the second half of the tournament. Still, the team remains in control of its own destiny.
Young batter Riyan Parag has been among the important contributors for RR during the campaign.
If Rajasthan win against Mumbai, they will officially secure the fourth playoff berth regardless of other results.
Kolkata Knight Riders Need Multiple Results to Go Their Way
Kolkata Knight Riders still have a mathematical chance of qualifying but face a difficult path. KKR currently have 13 points and can only reach a maximum of 15 points if they beat Delhi Capitals in their final game.
Even with a win, KKR would still need Rajasthan Royals to lose against Mumbai Indians and would also need to improve their net run rate beyond Punjab Kings.
The three-time champions recovered well after a poor start to the season, but their playoff hopes now depend heavily on external factors.
CSK, MI, LSG and DC Eliminated
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings were eliminated after losing to Gujarat Titans in their final match. CSK finished with 12 points and failed to reach the playoffs despite their rich IPL history.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants were the first two teams knocked out of the tournament after disappointing campaigns. MI managed only four wins from 13 matches, while LSG finished with just eight points.
Delhi Capitals were officially eliminated after Punjab Kings defeated LSG. Despite several strong innings from KL Rahul, DC failed to maintain consistency throughout the season.
IPL 2026 Playoff Format Explained
The IPL playoffs will once again follow the traditional four-match knockout format. The top two teams in the points table will face each other in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
The teams finishing third and fourth will meet in the Eliminator, where the losing side will be knocked out of the tournament.
The loser of Qualifier 1 will then play the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 to decide the second finalist.
With only one playoff spot still undecided, the final round of league matches promises intense drama and high-pressure cricket.