IPL 2026 playoff scenarios: RCB through, seven other teams still in the race

IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios: RCB Through, Seven Other Teams Still in the Race

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q)

• Remaining fixtures: SRH (A)
• Top-two finish confirmed before final game if CSK beats SRH (May 18) or CSK beats GT (May 21).
• Win in Hyderabad secures top position (20 points).
• Can miss top-two on 18 points only if SRH and GT beat CSK and surpass RCB on NRR — highly unlikely.

Gujarat Titans

• Remaining fixtures: CSK (H)
• Through to playoffs before final game if SRH beats CSK or LSG beats RR.
• Top-two assured if SRH loses one of two remaining games and GT beats CSK.
• If SRH wins both and GT beats CSK — three-way tie at 18 points, decided by NRR.
• Can finish outside top-four in a four-way tie at 16 points with SRH, CSK, and RR.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Remaining fixtures: CSK (A), RCB (H)
• Through if they beat CSK (May 18).
• If they lose to CSK but beat RCB — qualify regardless of NRR if GT beats CSK or RR drops a game.
• Possible 16-point tie with GT, CSK, and RR brings NRR into play under specific results.
• Can qualify with 14 points but needs several other results to go their way.

Punjab Kings

• Remaining fixtures: LSG (A)
• Can qualify with 15 points if only one of SRH, CSK, or RR reaches 16, and KKR drops at least one game or PBKS beats KKR on NRR in a tie.
• Can qualify with 13 points if KKR beats DC but loses to MI, and PBKS stays ahead on NRR.

Chennai Super Kings

• Remaining fixtures: SRH (H), GT (A)
• Can qualify with 16 points without NRR if RCB beats SRH or RR drops a game.
• Can pip RR or SRH on NRR if both win out.
• Can qualify with 14 points regardless of which opponent they beat, with several other results needed.

Rajasthan Royals

• Remaining fixtures: LSG (H), MI (A)
• Qualify with 16 points without NRR if only one of SRH or CSK reaches 16.
• NRR comes into play if CSK wins both games and SRH beats RCB.
• Can qualify with 14 points if several results go their way.

Kolkata Knight Riders

• Remaining fixtures: MI (H), DC (H)
• Qualify with 15 points if only one of SRH, CSK, or RR reaches 16, and LSG beats PBKS or PBKS beats LSG but KKR tops them on NRR.
• Can qualify with 13 points if they beat DC, PBKS loses to LSG, and PBKS trails KKR on NRR.

Delhi Capitals

• Remaining fixtures: KKR (A)
• Can qualify with 14 points without NRR if specific results align.
• A tie at 14 points with one or more teams (SRH, CSK, RR) leaves them with almost no chance due to NRR of -0.871.