RR frontrunner for 4th playoff-spot despite KKR boosting qualification chances:CSK in must-win territory; Punjab, Delhi in dire situation

The excitement of the IPL 2026 playoffs has increased even further. On Wednesday, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians to keep their playoff hopes alive. The team now has 13 points from 13 matches and has reached the sixth position. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians suffered their 9th defeat of the season. The team is already out of the playoff race. Mumbai is in ninth place with 8 points from 13 matches. Now, the competition for the fourth spot remains between Rajasthan, Punjab, Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi Capitals. Chennai will face the Gujarat Titans today, and the team needs a win at all costs. Current status of the Points Table Equation for all teams Kolkata climbs two spots on the points table After defeating Mumbai, Kolkata remains in the playoff race. The team has 13 points from 13 matches and has moved up two spots to sixth place. The team’s last match is against the Delhi Capitals. To reach the playoffs, KKR must win this match, and also hope that Rajasthan and Punjab lose. Chennai engage in a must-win clash today Chennai has moved to seventh place with 12 points from 13 matches. The team has lost one spot due to Kolkata’s win. Chennai will face the Gujarat Titans today. To stay in the playoff race, CSK must win this match at all costs. With a loss, the team’s journey will end. Bengaluru stay atop the points table Royal Challengers Bengaluru remains in first place with 18 points and a net run rate of +1.065. The team has already reached the playoffs. If there isn’t a major upset in the net run rate, RCB is set to play Qualifier-1. Top-2 Battle Between Gujarat and Hyderabad Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad are in second and third place with 16 points each. Gujarat’s last match is against Chennai. If the team registers a win here, it can play Qualifier-1 with 18 points. Meanwhile, Hyderabad will face Bengaluru. SRH might have to defeat RCB by a large margin to secure a spot in the top-2. Also Read: From mother selling bangles to temporary stays for coaching – story of Kranti Gaud’s grit Rajasthan stay frontrunner for 4th playoff berth Rajasthan Royals remain in fourth place with 14 points. The team’s last match is against the Mumbai Indians. If Rajasthan wins on May 24, they will reach 16 points and secure a spot in the playoffs. Punjab Kings in a dire situation Punjab Kings are in fifth place with 13 points. The team has lost 6 consecutive matches. To keep their playoff hopes alive, Punjab must win against Lucknow Super Giants. They will also have to hope for Rajasthan to lose. Delhi Capitals’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread Delhi Capitals have slipped to eighth position with 12 points. The team’s net run rate (-0.871) is weak. Delhi will have to register a big win against Kolkata in their last match, and also depend on the results of other teams to stay relevant in the qualification race and have some hopes. Mumbai and Lucknow are already out of the playoffs The Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are already out of the tournament. Mumbai is ninth with 8 points, while Lucknow is in last place with 8 points. Mumbai’s last match will be against Rajasthan, while Lucknow’s will be against Punjab. Also Read: Deepak Chahar’s ‘no note needed’ celebration: Varun fumes over Angkrish Top Players of the Tournament Vaibhav Sooryavanshi currently dons the Orange Cap Rajasthan Royals’ young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the highest run-scorer in IPL 2026. He has scored 579 runs in 13 matches and has overtaken Heinrich Klaasen to claim the Orange Cap. Suryavanshi is batting at a strike rate of 236.32 this season. He has so far hit 1 century, 3 half-centuries, and 53 sixes, which is the most this season. Lucknow Super Giants’ Mitchell Marsh is second with 563 runs, while Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Heinrich Klaasen is third with 555 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar retains the Purple Cap Bengaluru fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains 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 20 wickets.