IPL 2026 Playoff Race: Great war among 5 teams for the fourth seat, every match will be do or die

IPL 2026 Playoff Race: The league phase of IPL has now reached its last and most exciting phase. Three teams – Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore have secured a place in the playoffs. But there is still a fierce battle going on for the fourth place. Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, all five teams are still hopeful on the basis of different equations. Now every match can change the picture of the playoffs.

Read :- RR vs LSG: After RCB, two more teams reached the playoffs, today Rajasthan will have a big chance.

Punjab is eyeing just one defeat of Rajasthan

At present, Punjab Kings are seeing the maximum benefit. The team has 13 points from 13 matches and remains in fourth place. Punjab’s last match will be against already eliminated Lucknow Super Giants. If Punjab wins this match then it will have 15 points and then only Rajasthan will be able to leave it behind. If Rajasthan loses even one of its matches then Punjab’s hopes of playing the play-offs are high.

Luck is in the hands of Rajasthan

Rajasthan Royals still have two matches left and have 12 points, so the path to the playoffs is completely in their hands. If the team wins both its matches, it will directly reach the last four with 16 points. But even a defeat can increase the problems for them and then they will have to depend on other results.

Read :- “Never felt like the team needed me”: Liton Das’s anger on Kolkata Knight Riders

Chennai needs luck with victory

The path for Chennai Super Kings has now become very difficult. The team will have to win its last match against Gujarat Titans at any cost. Even after this they will have to expect the defeat of Punjab. Also, if Rajasthan loses both its matches or wins only one, then the matter can reach the net run rate. This means that Chennai’s hopes are no longer dependent only on its performance.

Difficult mathematics of Delhi and Kolkata

The hopes of Kolkata Knight Riders also rest on many conditions. The team needs the defeat of Punjab. If Punjab wins then the matter may turn to net run rate. In such a situation, Kolkata will have to win both its remaining matches by a big margin. And also we will have to pray for a defeat of Rajasthan.

The equations are not easy for Delhi Capitals either. Delhi first needs the defeat of Punjab. Apart from this, Rajasthan lost both the matches and Gujarat defeated Chennai. If these results go in their favor then Delhi will only have to register a win against Kolkata. Which is very difficult, but nothing is impossible in cricket.

Read :- CSK vs SRH: Today Chennai needs victory at any cost, Sunrisers will have to face the litmus test.

Hyderabad entered after defeating Chennai

On Monday night, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets and secured a place in the playoffs. Chasing Chennai’s target of 180 runs, Hyderabad ended the match in 19 overs. The hero of this victory was Ishan Kishan, who played a brilliant inning of 70 runs in 47 balls. His batting included 7 fours and 3 sixes. Heinrich Klaasen made an important contribution by scoring 47 runs.

In bowling, captain Pat Cummins took 3 wickets, while Saqib Hussain sent two batsmen to the pavilion. After the match, Cummins said that the team has put itself in a strong position and now the real challenge will begin. He also praised Ishan Kishan’s innings. Now the last league week of IPL 2026 is looking no less than a thriller. Every run, every wicket and every net run rate can change the picture of the playoffs.