Punjab in Top 4 but Rajasthan, Kolkata can ruin hopes:RR one win shy of direct qualification, Delhi eliminated

Only 2 matches are left in the league stage of IPL 2026, but the 4 playoff teams have not been decided yet. On Saturday, Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants to keep their playoff hopes alive. The team has reached fourth place with 15 points from 14 matches. With this win by Punjab, Delhi became the fourth team to be eliminated from the playoffs. Before that, Lucknow, Chennai, and Mumbai had already been eliminated. On Sunday, the Rajasthan Royals’ last league match is against the Mumbai Indians. The team will directly qualify for the playoffs with a win. Meanwhile, for the fourth spot, Kolkata Knight Riders will be eyeing their own win as well as the remaining matches. Current Standings of the Points Table Team qualifier standings before last two group games Punjab makes it to the Top 4 with a win against LSG Punjab Kings have moved to the fourth position in the points table with 15 points after defeating Lucknow by 7 wickets. However, the team’s playoff hopes will still depend on the results of the Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata. If Rajasthan defeats Mumbai on Sunday, Punjab will be out of the playoff race. Rajasthan can directly qualify without dependence With Punjab’s win, Rajasthan has slipped one spot to fifth place with 14 points. However, if the team defeats the Mumbai Indians, it will directly qualify for the playoffs/ Meanwhile, if RR lose today, they’ll be eliminated today. Kolkata’s playoff fate will be decided with a win and other results Kolkata has 13 points and is in sixth place in the points table. The team will need a big win against Delhi and also hope for Rajasthan’s loss. If Mumbai defeats Rajasthan, Kolkata will also have a chance. Kolkata will need to win by 77 runs if they score 200 runs against Delhi Capitals. If they get a target of 180 runs, they will have to finish the match in about 12 overs. If Kolkata fails to do so and Rajasthan loses, Punjab will qualify for the playoffs. Delhi eliminated from playoffs after Punjab’s victory After Punjab’s victory, Delhi became the fourth team to be eliminated from the tournament. Delhi is in eighth place with 12 points. Mumbai, Chennai, and Lucknow were already out of the playoff race. Chennai is in seventh, Mumbai in ninth, and Lucknow in the last position. Bengaluru and Gujarat in Qualifier-1 Bengaluru and Gujarat have 18 points each. Based on a better net run rate, Bengaluru is in first place, and Gujarat is in second. Both teams will clash in Qualifier-1 on May 26. Hyderabad also finished the league stage in third place with 18 points. The team will now play the Eliminator match. Read the Qualifier process below Top Players of the Tournament Sai Sudharsan dons Orange Cap with the most runs Gujarat’s Sai Sudarshan remains the Orange Cap holder with 638 runs. Following him, Gujarat’s captain Shubman Gill is in second place with 616 runs. Hyderabad’s Heinrich Klaasen, who played an innings of 51 runs against Bengaluru, has moved to the third position with 606 runs. Bhuvneshwar remains at the top in the Purple Cap There has been no change in the Purple Cap after the Hyderabad-Bengaluru match. Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in first place with 24 wickets. Gujarat’s Kagiso Rabada (24 wickets) is second, and Chennai’s Anshul Kamboj (21 wickets) is in third place.