With 15 matches to go in IPL 2026, two teams are eliminated. But eight teams are still in contention for a place in the playoffs, and no one has sealed their spot yet. Here's a look at the qualification scenarios for each of those eight teams.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.428
Remaining matches: MI (h), RCB (h), LSG (a)
Four matches without a win, after going seven games without a loss, is surely a twist that PBKS fans wouldn't have expected. The upshot of these defeats is that they have slipped to fourth on the points table, with the spectre of non-qualification looming despite such an unbelievable start to their campaign.
As things stand, it's possible for PBKS to qualify with 13 points even without net run rates, if several other results go their way. At the same time, it's also possible that they will miss out with 17 points, as four other teams can still finish on more than that.
Two of their three remaining matches are against teams who are already out of the tournament. That might seem like an advantage, but given that those teams have nothing to lose, it could work either way.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 1.103
Remaining matches: KKR (h), PBKS (a), SRH (a)
The last-ball win against MI on Sunday has pushed RCB to the top of the table, but they still need two more wins to be almost certain of qualification, as four other teams could push past them if they finish on 16. In an extreme scenario, it's even possible for five teams to finish on 18 or more points, but given their excellent NRR of 1.103 - easily the best among all teams - they will almost certainly qualify with 18 points.
Two of their three remaining matches are against teams which are currently in the top four - though PBKS are in a slump - while their next game is against KKR, a team which, though currently in eighth place, is also in contention.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 0.737
Remaining matches: GT (a), CSK (a), RCB (h)
With six wins in their last seven games, SRH are riding a wave of good form. However, they still won't be certain of qualification if they beat GT on Tuesday and go up to 16, as four teams could go past that tally. On the other hand, their current tally of 14 points could be enough to qualify if several other results go in their favour.
If PBKS and RR win their remaining matches, and RCB and GT win two out of three, then five teams - including SRH - could finish on 18 or more points. SRH's net run rate is currently a solid 0.737, second only to RCB, and that could come in handy in qualification or in finishing among the top two.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 11, Points: 14, NRR: 0.228
Remaining matches: SRH (h), KKR (a), CSK (h)
Like RCB and SRH, Gujarat Titans are also on 14 points with three to play. Like those other two teams, GT could qualify with 14, but are also not 100% certain of making the top four with 18. The good news for them is that they are on a four-match winning streak, and play two of their three remaining games at home.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 11, Points: 12, NRR: 0.185
Remaining matches: LSG (a), SRH (h), GT (a)
After losing their first three matches, CSK have found a rich vein of form, winning six of their last eight. A win in their next match and then defeat in the last two could be enough for a top-four finish only if several other results go their way, including defeats for PBKS in their three remaining matches and RR winning no more than one more game.
On the other hand, even 16 points may not be enough as four teams could exceed that tally. Eighteen points will ensure qualification, since the other teams in contention are also playing each other and hence can't all finish on 18 or more points.
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 11, Points: 12, NRR: 0.082
Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), MI (a)
Five losses in their last seven matches mean RR's fortunes are definitely on a downswing. The long gaps between matches have also meant that several teams have gone past them on the points table. Just a couple of weeks back, after their ninth game, they were sitting pretty at third place with 12 points (though they had played a game more than the other teams). Now, they have slipped to sixth and struggling for survival.
As with other teams, qualification on 14 points remains possible, but only if several results fall in place. Even with three wins and 18 points, it could come down to NRR. Their three remaining matches are against teams in the bottom four - including two who have already been eliminated - which could work in their favour. Also, after an extremely relaxed schedule, it will get frenetic for them as they play DC and LSG over three days (May 17 and 19) at different venues (Delhi and Jaipur).
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 10, Points: 9, NRR: -0.169
Remaining matches: RCB (a), GT (h), MI (h), DC (h)
KKR are the only team to have played fewer than 11 matches, which means they still have eight points up for grabs. If they win all four and finish on 17, they will have an excellent chance of qualifying, though it's still not a certainty as four other teams could finish on 17 or more points. Qualification with 13 points is an extremely remote possibility, and can happen only if all the cards fall right for them.
The good news for KKR is that their last three games are at home. They have won only one out of four matches at Eden Gardens so far (including a washout), but that was before their current run of form, which has seen them win their last four matches.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 12, Points: 10, NRR: -0.993
Remaining matches: RR (h), KKR (a)
The win against PBKS keeps DC in the hunt, if only just. The equation for them is simple: win their last two matches by as big a margin as possible to finish on 14 points, and then hope that several other results fall in place. Their NRR doesn't help their cause, though: at -0.993, it's easily the worst among all teams.
DC play the last game of the league stage - against KKR at the Eden Gardens on May 24. If either of those teams is still in contention by the time that last league game comes around, it'll mean we're in for some major surprises over the next 12 days.