Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already booked their ticket to the top four, but for the rest, nothing is settled. Here is a complete breakdown of the current standings, what each team needs, and who is most likely to make it through.
Current IPL 2026 Points Table (as of May 18, 2026)
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 13 | 8 | 5 | 16 | +1.103 ✅ Qualified |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 13 | 8 | 5 | 16 | +0.XXX |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 12 | 7 | 5 | 14 | +0.XXX |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 13 | 6 | 7 | 13 | +0.428 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 12 | 6 | 6 | 12 | +0.185 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 12 | 6 | 6 | 12 | +0.082 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 13 | 5 | 8 | 10 | -0.XXX |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 12 | 5 | 7 | 11 | -0.169 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | — | — | — | — | ❌ Eliminated |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | — | — | — | — | ❌ Eliminated |
Note: Update NRR values from the official IPL website before publishing
Teams Already Qualified
✅ Royal Challengers Bengaluru — QUALIFIED
RCB became the first team to officially seal their playoff spot after beating Punjab Kings on May 17, with Virat Kohli’s century powering them to the top of the table. With 16 points and the best net run rate in the entire tournament (+1.103), RCB are not just through — they are almost certainly finishing in the top two.
Defending champions for a reason. The Bengaluru side has looked composed under pressure all season, and their explosive batting lineup makes them genuine contenders to retain the title.
Teams Eliminated
❌ Mumbai Indians — OUT
Five-time champions MI had a forgettable 2026 campaign. Their elimination was confirmed on May 10 when they lost to RCB, ending any slim hope they had of recovering from a run of poor results. A season to forget for Rohit Sharma and company.
❌ Lucknow Super Giants — OUT
LSG were knocked out on the same evening as MI, confirming a disappointing end to their season. Their win over CSK on May 16 was ultimately meaningless for their own campaign — a result that ironically hurt others more than it helped them.
The Race for the Remaining Three Spots
🟢 Gujarat Titans — Strong Favourites to Qualify
Points: 16 | Played: 13 | Remaining: 1
GT are right on the cusp. Tied with RCB on 16 points, they need just one win from their final match to confirm their place in the top four. They are currently on a four-match winning streak and two of their remaining games are at home — a significant advantage.
Even if they lose their last game, they would likely still qualify, provided SRH and others don’t leapfrog them. But don’t expect GT to leave it to chance. Shubman Gill’s side has looked like a team on a mission in the second half of the season.
Verdict: Almost certainly through. One win seals it.
🟡 Sunrisers Hyderabad — In Control
Points: 14 | Played: 12 | Remaining: 2
SRH are the third-placed side with two games to play. Win both, and they are through without needing anyone else’s help. Win one, and they will likely still qualify — though they would need to keep an eye on results elsewhere. Lose both, and it gets uncomfortable.
SRH have the second-best NRR in the competition, which is a vital cushion if the points end up level. Their remaining fixtures are against CSK and RCB — tough games, but SRH have proven all season that they can beat anyone on their day.
Verdict: One win from two should be enough. Firmly in control.
🟡 Punjab Kings — Sixth Gear to Reverse
Points: 13 | Played: 13 | Remaining: 1
The story of Punjab Kings’ season is one of the most dramatic in recent IPL memory. They were unbeaten in their first seven games — completely dominant, looking like champions-in-waiting. Then came five consecutive defeats, and now they are clinging to fourth place with one game left.
PBKS need to win their final match against LSG (already eliminated) and hope that only one of CSK, RR, or SRH finishes ahead of them. It is not impossible, but it is no longer in their hands. The momentum has shifted badly, and the pressure of that unbeaten start now weighs heavily.
Verdict: Need a win AND results to go their way. Nervous times.
🟠 Chennai Super Kings — Classic CSK Comeback?
Points: 12 | Played: 12 | Remaining: 2
CSK started the season losing their first three games. Most teams don’t recover from that kind of start. But this is Chennai Super Kings — they have made the playoffs 12 times in 16 seasons, more than any other team in IPL history.
They have since won six of their last eight, and 18 points (three wins from three) should mathematically get them through. Their remaining matches are against SRH and GT — both top-four rivals, both difficult. But CSK have always played their best cricket under pressure. If there is one team you wouldn’t write off in this situation, it is the Yellow Army.
Verdict: Need two wins minimum. Still very much alive.
🟠 Rajasthan Royals — On the Brink
Points: 12 | Played: 12 | Remaining: 3
RR had genuine momentum earlier in the season but lost their way. On Sunday, Delhi Capitals handed them a gut punch — beating them to keep DC’s own hopes alive and push RR into a precarious position.
The Royals still have three games remaining, which means they can theoretically reach 18 points. But they must win all three, and they need results to fall their way. Their NRR (+0.082) is also lower than CSK’s, which matters if teams finish level on points.
Verdict: Need a perfect run and a lot of help. Uphill task.
🔴 Delhi Capitals — Miracle Required
Points: 10 | Played: 13 | Remaining: 1
DC’s win over RR on Sunday kept them technically alive, but the numbers are brutal. Even with a final win, they can only reach 12 points — a total that almost certainly won’t be enough unless several other results go spectacularly in their favour.
KL Rahul has batted beautifully this season, but the team around him has been too inconsistent. Their campaign has been defined by narrow losses and missed opportunities. A lesson learned for 2027, perhaps.
Verdict: Mathematically alive, practically out.
🔴 Kolkata Knight Riders — Thread Thin
Points: 11 | Played: 12 | Remaining: 3
KKR have three games left and can reach 17 points if they win all of them — Finn Allen’s century against DC showed there is firepower in this lineup. But they need wins, and they need multiple results elsewhere to go against them.
The defending champions from 2024 have had a season to forget. Their NRR (-0.169) doesn’t help either. The window is not completely shut, but it would take a remarkable sequence of events.
Verdict: Possible in theory, highly unlikely in practice.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Format — How It Works
Once the top four teams are confirmed, the playoff format is as follows:
Qualifier 1: 1st place vs 2nd place. The winner goes directly to the Final. The loser gets another chance.
Eliminator: 3rd place vs 4th place. Straight knockout — the loser goes home.
Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 vs the winner of the Eliminator. Winner goes to the Final.
Final: To be held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on May 31, 2026.
The playoff matches will be held in Dharamsala and New Chandigarh before the tournament heads to Ahmedabad for the grand finale.
A crucial stat worth noting: six of the last eight IPL champions came from the top two positions after the league stage. Finishing in the top two gives your team a safety net — a second life if you lose Qualifier 1. Teams fighting for third and fourth have no such luxury.
Our Prediction: The Final Four
Based on current form, points, fixtures, and NRR, here is our call for the four teams that will contest the IPL 2026 playoffs:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Already through. Likely to finish top.
- Gujarat Titans — One win away. In the form of their lives.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad — Solid NRR and two games to close the deal.
- Chennai Super Kings — Because you never write off CSK.
The fourth spot is genuinely open. PBKS, RR, and CSK are all within striking distance. The next five days of cricket will settle it — and it should make for unmissable viewing.
Final Thoughts
The IPL 2026 season has delivered exactly what cricket fans live for: a finale that nobody can predict. Three spots, five genuine contenders, and a points table so tight that a single over can shift the entire landscape.
Whether you support the Yellow Army’s against-the-odds charge, the Sunrisers’ controlled march, or Punjab’s desperate attempt to rediscover their early-season magic — the cricket coming up is worth watching every ball.
Bookmark this page. We will update the scenarios after every match.
Last updated: May 18, 2026. Points table will be refreshed after each match.
Also Read:
- India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
- IPL 2026 Orange Cap and Purple Cap: Full List
- IPL 2026 Final: Date, Venue, and Preview
