The playoff race in IPL 2026 has reached a thrilling stage with three teams still fighting for the final remaining spot. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already secured their places in the knockout stage, the battle between Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders has made the final week of the league even more exciting for fans.
At present, Rajasthan Royals are slightly ahead in the race. The team has collected 14 points from 13 matches after winning seven games this season. Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are close behind with 13 points each from the same number of matches. Both teams have managed six wins so far and now face a must-win situation in their final league encounters.
The biggest advantage is with Rajasthan Royals because their qualification is completely in their own hands. The team will take on Mumbai Indians in its last league match, and a victory there will seal a playoff berth without depending on any other result. If Rajasthan wins, it will move to 16 points and comfortably finish ahead of both Punjab and Kolkata even if those teams win their remaining matches.
However, the entire equation changes if Rajasthan loses. In that situation, Rajasthan will remain on 14 points and the door will open for Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. If both teams manage to win their final matches, they will climb to 15 points each. Then the qualification race will come down to Net Run Rate, which could become the deciding factor for the final playoff position.
For Punjab Kings and KKR, the pressure is massive. Winning alone will not guarantee qualification because they are also dependent on Rajasthan Royals slipping in their final game. Fans of both franchises will closely watch the Rajasthan vs Mumbai Indians clash, knowing that one result could completely change the playoff picture.
Meanwhile, the top two positions on the points table are already confirmed. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished at the top after a dominant league campaign, while Gujarat Titans secured second place. Both teams will now face each other in Qualifier 1, where the winner will directly book a place in the IPL 2026 final.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have locked the third spot and will play the Eliminator against whichever team finishes fourth. The winner of that Eliminator will move into Qualifier 2 and face the loser of Qualifier 1 for a place in the final.
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Read MoreThe final round of league matches is expected to deliver high drama, emotional moments and intense pressure cricket. Rajasthan Royals are currently in control of their own destiny, but Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are still alive in the race and waiting for one twist that could take them into the playoffs. With so much at stake, IPL 2026 is heading towards a dramatic finish that fans will not want to miss.