Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the first team to secure a playoff spot in IPL 2026 after a clinical win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on Sunday. A day later, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) also confirmed their qualification following SRH’s victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk. The three sides will now aim to finish in the top two during the league stage in order to earn two opportunities to reach the final.

After Match 63 of the season, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been knocked out of playoff contention.

With seven league matches remaining, only one playoff spot is up for grabs, with five teams still in contention.

Also read | Kishan, Cummins put SRH in IPL 2026 playoffs; CSK still in contention despite loss

With the race for the final berth intensifying, here is a look at the qualification scenarios for the remaining teams:

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

CSK’s defeat against SRH would have provided a significant boost to Rajasthan Royals (RR), who still control their own qualification chances.

Despite losing three matches in a row, RR remain strongly placed in the race for a playoff berth. Their final two league matches are against already-eliminated teams, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI), and wins in both fixtures would take them to 16 points, which should be enough to qualify. RR can also advance with 14 points, although that scenario would depend on several favourable results elsewhere, including defeats for CSK, Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Delhi Capitals (DC), along with MI defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR fans now have fresh hope after the three-time champions revived their campaign following a poor first half of the season.

With both remaining fixtures scheduled to be played at home in Kolkata, KKR can still qualify on 15 points if RR lose one of their remaining games and LSG beat PBKS. Even if PBKS overcome LSG, KKR could still advance provided they maintain a superior net run rate. There also remains an outside possibility of qualification with 13 points if KKR defeat DC and several other results go in their favour. That equation would require GT to beat CSK, both LSG and MI to overcome RR, and PBKS to lose to LSG while staying behind KKR on net run rate.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

PBKS, meanwhile, face a difficult road ahead with only one league fixture remaining against an in-form LSG side. Their highest possible points tally is now 15, meaning they are reliant on other outcomes while RR and KKR are both capable of reaching at least that total. PBKS can still qualify with 15 points if they beat LSG, RR lose one of their remaining matches, and KKR either suffer a defeat or remain behind on net run rate in the event of a tie on 15 points. There is also a slim qualification route with 13 points, but that would require RR to lose both remaining games, GT to defeat CSK, and KKR to beat DC before losing to MI, while PBKS stay ahead of KKR on net run rate.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The path to the playoffs has become increasingly challenging for CSK after their latest defeat at home. However, the five-time champions can still finish as the fourth playoff side with 14 points. For that to happen, CSK must defeat GT and hope RR, PBKS, and KKR all fail to reach 14 points. In that situation, net run rate would decide the final qualifier between CSK and DC, with CSK currently holding the advantage. CSK’s qualification scenario with 14 points depends on RR losing both remaining matches, LSG defeating PBKS, and KKR beating DC before losing to MI.

Also read | DC stay alive in IPL 2026 playoffs race with win over RR

Delhi Capitals (DC)

DC, meanwhile, can now finish with a maximum of 14 points and will require several other results to favour them in order to avoid a net-run-rate contest. Their qualification hopes depend on PBKS, CSK, and RR all suffering defeats, which would leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), GT, SRH, and DC as the four playoff teams. DC can qualify outright on 14 points without net run rate coming into play if they defeat KKR, LSG beat PBKS, both LSG and MI overcome RR, and GT defeat CSK.