RCB enter playoffs, 3 spots remain; 6 teams mathematically alive:GT, PBKS must win remaining games; qualification scenarios of all teams

Royal Challengers Bangalore secured their spot in the playoffs by defeating Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. The team is at the top of the table with 18 points from 13 matches. RCB can no longer drop out of the top-2 in the league stage, so their participation in Qualifier-1 is also confirmed. On the other hand, Punjab Kings suffered their sixth consecutive defeat, reducing their chances of reaching the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals jumped one spot by defeating Rajasthan Royals. The team has reached the seventh position with 12 points. Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals are still in the playoff race. 6 teams can reach playoffs Bengaluru on top, Qualifier-1 confirmed RCB is in first place with 9 wins and 18 points from 13 matches. The team’s net run rate is +1.065, which is the best in the league. Bengaluru can now reach a maximum of 20 points. In this scenario, the team is confirmed to play Qualifier-1. Bengaluru’s last league match will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22. Even at 18 points, it is impossible to remove Bengaluru from the top-2. Hyderabad and Gujarat can reach 18 points in the points table. But it will be difficult to surpass Bengaluru’s run rate. For this, both teams will have to win their remaining two matches by a large margin. Gujarat remains in second place Gujarat Titans remain in second place with 16 points. The team’s last match is against Chennai Super Kings. If Gujarat wins this match, it will almost certainly secure a spot in the top-2.
Hyderabad in third position Sunrisers Hyderabad are in third place with 14 points. The team now has to play against Chennai and Bengaluru. By defeating Chennai today, the team can strengthen its position to play in the playoffs.
Every match is important for Punjab and Rajasthan Punjab Kings are in fourth place with 13 points from 13 matches. The team has lost 6 consecutive matches. Punjab’s last match is against Lucknow. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they must win at all costs.
Rajasthan Royals have reached the sixth position with 12 points. The team’s run rate (+0.27) is equal to Chennai’s. Rajasthan now has to play matches against Lucknow and Mumbai. To reach the top-4, the team will have to win both matches.
Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi’s hopes remain Chennai Super Kings is in fifth place with 12 points. The team has to play matches against Hyderabad and Gujarat on May 21. To stay in the playoff race, CSK will have to win both matches. Kolkata Knight Riders have suffered due to Delhi’s win. The team has slipped to 8th place with 11 points. Kolkata now has to play matches against Mumbai and Delhi. KKR will have to win both matches to reach the playoffs and will also have to depend on the results of other teams. Delhi Capitals have reached seventh place with 12 points. To go to the playoffs, the team will have to win against Kolkata by a large margin on May 24. Along with this, they will also have to keep an eye on the results of other teams. Mumbai and Lucknow already out Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are in ninth and tenth place, respectively with 8 points each. Both teams are out of the playoff race. Top players of the tournament Kohli reaches third position in Orange Cap race Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan remains the Orange Cap holder with 554 runs in 13 matches. Shubman Gill is in second place with 552 runs. Virat Kohli has moved to third place with 542 runs after his innings against Punjab. Bhuvneshwar holds the Purple Cap Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the Purple Cap holder with 24 wickets. Gujarat’s Kagiso Rabada is in second place with 21 wickets. Chennai’s Anshul Kamboj remains in third place with 19 wickets.