Chennai's playoff equation (Photo: PTI)

There is space for 4 teams in the playoffs of IPL 2026. The names of 3 teams have been decided. RCB had already booked the playoff ticket. After defeating Chennai Super Kings on May 18, Sunrisers Hyderabad also confirmed the playoff ticket for itself as well as Gujarat Titans. Now the question is which team will get a chance for the last one place? The best way for Chennai Super Kings to enter the playoffs was victory. He had to win his last two matches of the group stage. But this did not happen. They lost one of the last two matches played against Sunrisers. However, the good thing for CSK fans is that even after losing to SRH, their team can play the playoffs.

How will CSK play the playoffs even after losing to SRH?

Now the question is how will this happen? How can CSK get the playoff ticket even after losing the match against Sunrisers? Whereas even if they win the last match against Gujarat Titans, they will still have only 14 points. After the defeat to SRH, Chennai Super Kings will now have to win the last match to reach the playoffs. Apart from that, the performance of other teams will also have to be kept an eye on.

After the loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, it is possible for Chennai Super Kings to reach the playoffs only if Punjab Kings loses their last group match. If this happens then they will have only 13 points in 14 matches. Rajasthan should lose its last two matches or at least one match. If this happens, Rajasthan will have only 12 points or maximum 14 points. The net run rate of Delhi Capitals is bad. Therefore, it will not affect the health of CSK. KKR will also have to face defeat in their last group match and apart from all this, what is most important for CSK is to win their last match.

CSK will have to improve its run rate along with winning its last match.

Chennai Super Kings have 13 points in 12 matches and are at sixth position in the points table. But, by winning the last match, it can get a ticket for the playoffs with 14 points. However, in the last match, CSK will also have to take care of their net run rate, which has gone into minus after the loss to Sunrisers.

What is the equation of Punjab-Rajasthan?

Apart from CSK, Punjab and Rajasthan have a chance to reach the playoffs. Punjab Kings will have to win their last match to go to the playoffs and will have to pray that Rajasthan Royals lose one of their next two matches. At the same time, the direct and simple way for Rajasthan Royals to enter the playoffs is to win both their remaining matches.

Saket Sharma

The journey that started with the game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' passed through stops like News Nation, India News, India.com and Editorji. In this connection, I have been associated with TV9 Hindi for the last 5 years. Here too it is my job to tell sports news. I have an understanding of all three worlds, TV, digital and production houses and overall experience of more than a decade. Every day I try to learn something new and do new creative things. Not afraid of failure and not proud of success. I just try to always give my best. This is what I have been doing till date and my intention is the same in future too. Be it sitting at the desk and narrating sports news in your own words or going to the field and capturing it on camera. In simple language, I am a player who brings to you every action happening on the sports field.

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