What RR, PBKS and KKR need to do to qualify for playoffs

With only three league matches left in IPL 2026, three teams – Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – are still in contention for the last available spot in the playoffs. Delhi Capitals (DC) are also mathematically alive for now, but given their poor net run rate, it is practically next to impossible for them to finish in the top four.

Looking at the three remaining league matches in IPL 2026, PBKS will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, May 22. This will be followed by a double-header on Sunday. RR will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, while DC will clash with KKR at Eden Gardens.

Ahead of the PBKS vs LSG match at Ekana Stadium, let take a look at the IPL 2026 playoff qualification scenarios for the teams that are still in contention.

Rajasthan Royals (14 points, NRR +0.083)

RR have played 13 league matches in IPL 2026 and have 14 points against their name at a net run rate of +0.083. If RR beat MI on Sunday, they will seal their berth in the top four. A win against MI will take RR to 16 points, while PBKS and KKR can reach a maximum of 15 points even if they win their last game.

If RR lose to MI, they will be stuck on 14 points. In such a scenario, they will need PBKS to lose to LSG and KKR to go down to DC. if that happens, both PBKS and KKR will finish the league stage with 13 points. DC will be tied on 14 points with RR. However, the net run rate gap between the two sides will ensure RR’s qualification for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

Punjab Kings (13 points, NRR +0.227)

On expected lines, six losses in a row have dented PBKS’ IPL 2026 playoff hopes. They are still not totally out of it. However, PBKS’ fortunes are no longer in their own hands. Even if they beat LSG on Sunday, Shreyas Iyer and co. will need other results to go their way to seal a berth in the top four.

If PBKS beat LSG at Ekana Stadium, they will finish the league stage with 15 points. They need to hope that RR go down to MI and stay on 14 points. KKR can also tie with PBKS on 15 points if they beat DC. However, PBKS’ run rate gives them a big advantage. If PBKS beat LSG by one run, even then KKR will need to beat DC by at least 52 runs to surpass Punjab’s net run rate.

If PBKS beat LSG and RR and KKR lose their respective last league matches in IPL 2026, PBKS will qualify with for the playoffs with 15 points. In this scenario, RR will end with 14 point and KKR with 13. However, if PBKS go down to LSG on Saturday they will be eliminated from the playoffs race. In this scenario, they will be stuck on 13 points, while RR have already reached 14 points.

Kolkata Knight Riders (13 points, NRR +0.011)

Despite a horror start to IPL 2026 – five losses and one no result – KKR can still sneak into the playoffs. Ajinkya Rahane and co. have made a tremendous comeback in the tournament, winning six of their last seven matches. They are currently six in the points table, with 13 points and a net run rate of +0.011.

The best-case scenario for KKR is to beat DC in their last league match and hope that both RR and PBKS lose their respective matches. In such a scenario, KKR will end the league stage with 15 points, while RR will be finish with 14 points and PBKS 13. If RR win, they will move to 16 points, eliminating KKR. If KKR and PBKS end with 15 points, the net run rate will come into play as mentioned earlier.