IPL play-offs: Will CSK, RR make it to last four? A look at qualification scenarios

Cricket is a great leveller, it is said. Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings started the IPL 2026 with a bang, winning six of their first seven matches (the match against Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out). But now, they find themselves in the fourth position on the teams table with 13 points, with four consecutive losses.

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, had five defeats in their first eight matches. Injuries to veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni and promising youngster Ayush Mhatre made matters worse. However, with three wins on the trot, they are back in reckoning for the playoffs, with 12 points.

The race for the IPL last-four finish is so tight this year, that as many as eight teams are in contention with 10 days left for the league stage to end. Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are the two teams which have been eliminated.

Here’s a look at the qualifying scenarios for the eight teams.

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are favourites to make the play-offs. GT have missed the play-offs only once since their debut in 2022. This year, too, they are on course for a top-two qualification, with a stellar bowling lineup (they bowled out a strong batting unit such as SRH for 86 last night) and solid top three batters, led by B. Sai Sudharsan. The Shubman Gill-led side has 16 points from eight wins in 12 games, almost sealing a play-off berth. Their last two matches are against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

With 14 points in 11 matches, the defending champions are second on the points table. The Rajat Patidar-led side has managed to retain the consistency that won it its first ever IPL title last year. They need two wins in their last three matches to ensure a last-four finish, with 18 points. Only Mumbai Indians qualified with 16 points last season. A win against KKR tonight will bolster their chances of a top-two finish, too. RCB have the best net run rate among the teams in contention. After KKR, they play PBKS and Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last two league matches.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

After a forgettable start, SRH hit the groove from the fifth match onward, managing a five-match winning streak. Led by Heinrich Klaasen, SRH’s powerful batting line-up has done the job and has been supported well by bowlers led by Pat Cummins and E. Malinga. They are on 14 points with two games to go against CSK and RCB. SRH would need at least two more points if not four to make the play-offs.

Punjab Kings

Despite a superb start, poor bowling and fielding have resulted in four straight losses for the PBKS. Though they remain in the top four, thanks to their stellar run in the first half of the tournament, they will have themselves to blame for not capitalising on the six-match winning streak. Their net run rate remains healthy and two wins out of their remaining three matches against Mumbai Indians, RCB and SRH should be enough to make the play-offs. They have 13 points from 11 matches with one point coming from a washout against KKR.

Chennai Super Kings

After a disappointing start, CSK bounced back with six wins in their last eight matches. They would be favourites against Lucknow Super Giants on May 15, and two points there would boost their chances of making the play-offs. Their last two matches are against SRH and GT, and winning both might be the only way for them to reach the last four. Easier said than done.

Rajasthan Royals

RR started with four consecutive wins, but lost their way thereafter, losing five of their next seven matches. Despite teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel performing well with the bat, Royals have failed to find consistency. Bowling has been their Achilles’ heel. With 12 points from 11 matches, Royals would need to win at least two of their last three matches and hope the other results go their way. With Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians as their opponents in their remaining games, RR would be fancying their chances.

Delhi Capitals

DC’s hard-earned thrilling win against PBKS in their last encounter has kept alive their slim chances of making the play-offs. They have 10 points from 12 matches and can reach a maximum of 14 points. Even wins with big margins may not be enough.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR had a horrific first half but managed to stay alive with wins in last four games after losing six in a row. They still have a game in hand compared to other teams and can reach a maximum of 17 points which may be enough for qualification. KKR are playing their last three games at home.