IPL 2026 playoff race: After RR win, what PBKS, CSK, DC and KKR need to do to grab the final qualification spot

Three playoff spots are already locked successful for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. But the contention for the last spot is inactive live with six league games left.While Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are already out, 5 teams stay mathematically live - Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.Here is what each of them needs from here.

Rajasthan Royals: One triumph should bash it

RR person enactment themselves successful rod presumption aft climbing to 14 points from 13 matches. They are presently 4th with a somewhat affirmative nett tally complaint and, among the teams inactive chasing the past playoff berth, they clasp the clearest advantage.Remaining fixture:

The equation is straightforward for RR. A triumph against MI volition instrumentality them to 16 points, and they volition seal the last IPL 2026 playoff spot outright.

The timing besides helps RR. By the clip they play MI connected the day of May 24, they volition already cognize the outcomes of KKR vs MI, GT vs CSK, SRH vs RCB and LSG vs PBKS. That means RR could locomotion into Wankhede knowing precisely what people they need.The perfect RR script is:

If each 3 happen, RR suffice adjacent earlier taking the tract against MI.

The 1 happening RR would privation to debar is simply a crowded 14-point necktie involving DC and CSK. Their NRR is lone marginally affirmative astatine the moment, truthful a dense decision to MI could inactive resistance them into occupation if aggregate teams decorativeness level.But among each teams inactive alive, RR stay champion placed due to the fact that they power their ain destiny.

Punjab Kings: Must bushed LSG and anticipation others stumble

PBKS person slipped severely astatine the incorrect clip with 5 consecutive defeats, but they are inactive alive.Remaining fixture:

A triumph implicit LSG takes PBKS to 15 points. That fig tin inactive beryllium capable for 4th place, but lone if results elsewhere autumn successful their favour.The biggest lucifer for PBKS earlier they play is KKR vs MI. If KKR suffer that game, 1 nonstop challenger drops retired of the way. PBKS would besides privation GT to bushed CSK due to the fact that a CSK triumph would determination them to 14, up of PBKS earlier their last game, adding much unit connected Shreyas Iyer’s outfit.The perfect PBKS script is:

However, if RR triumph implicit MI connected Saturday, PBKS vs LSG effect volition go redundant arsenic RR volition supersede PBKS with 16 points and fastener successful the last IPL 2026 playoff spot.

Chennai Super Kings: Need 2 wins and plentifulness of help

CSK are inactive live mathematically, but they astir apt near themselves excessively overmuch to bash earlier successful the season.Remaining fixture:

A triumph implicit GT takes CSK to 14 points. But adjacent then, qualification is improbable unless respective different results spell their way.The archetypal happening CSK request is simply a KKR decision against MI. If KKR triumph some their games, they tin get to 15 and determination ahead. CSK would besides privation PBKS to suffer to LSG due to the fact that PBKS tin different get to 15 arsenic well.Most importantly, CSK would request RR to suffer to MI. If RR triumph and determination to 16, the past playoff spots is efficaciously gone.The perfect CSK script is:

Even then, CSK could inactive extremity up tied connected 14 points with RR, meaning NRR becomes decisive.The situation for CSK is that their NRR is presently somewhat negative. So if qualification comes down to a multi-team necktie astatine 14, they whitethorn request a big-margin triumph implicit GT.Their chances are slim, but not impossible.

Delhi Capitals: 1 triumph needed, and adjacent that whitethorn not beryllium enough

DC person 1 lucifer remaining, which gives them a way to 14 points. But their mediocre nett tally complaint means they person small country for error.Remaining fixtures:

The biggest contented for DC is their NRR of -0.871, by acold the worst among the contenders. That means a necktie connected points is dangerous.The perfect DC script is:

In this scenario, the last league crippled betwixt KKR and DC efficaciously turns into a knockout. The loser is out, portion the victor moves ahead.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Must triumph both, and inactive beryllium connected others

KKR astir apt person the toughest way among the realistic contenders.Remaining fixtures:

KKR are connected 11 points from 12 matches. Winning some games takes them to 15, which keeps them alive.The perfect KKR script is:

If each those results happen, KKR tin sneak done with 15 points.The occupation for KKR is that adjacent aft winning some games, they whitethorn inactive beryllium susceptible if RR get to 16 oregon PBKS get to 15 with a amended NRR.Their NRR is besides lone somewhat negative, truthful they cannot spend constrictive wins. A ascendant triumph implicit MI could importantly amended their presumption earlier the final-day clash with DC.The affirmative for KKR is scheduling. They play erstwhile earlier RR play MI, which means they tin support applying unit and unit RR into a must-win situation.