Rajasthan Royals
Played: 13, Points: 14, NRR: 0.083
Remaining matches: MI (A)
RR’s qualification chances rest entirely in their hands. If they beat MI on Sunday, they will qualify with 16 points regardless of other results. If RR lose to MI, then they’ll only have a chance if PBKS and KKR both lose their last matches. KKR’s defeat will push DC up to 14 points, but the gap in run rates is almost impossible for DC to cover: the sum of the margins of RR’s defeat and DC’s win needs to be around 230 runs for that to happen.
Punjab Kings
Played: 13, Points: 13, NRR: 0.227
Remaining matches: LSG (A)
Winless in their last six matches, PBKS will still make the playoffs if they beat LSG on Saturday, finish above KKR on NRR, and if RR lose to MI on Sunday. Their superior NRR gives them a significant advantage should it come down to that factor against KKR: even if they beat LSG by just one run, KKR will need to beat DC by at least 52 runs to go past PBKS’ NRR. If PBKS win by 10 runs, KKR will have to win by 61 runs.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 13, Points: 13, NRR: 0.011
Remaining matches: DC (H)
KKR will qualify for sure if they beat DC, and if RR and PBKS lose their last matches. If PBKS and KKR both win and RR lose, then it’ll come down to net run rates. As mentioned above, KKR will need to win by a substantial margin to go past PBKS’ run rate.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 13, Points: 12, NRR: -0.871
Remaining matches: KKR (A)
DC’s biggest win margin in the IPL is 97 runs when batting first, and with 67 balls to spare when chasing, but they’ll need to do much better to stand any chance of sneaking the fourth spot, apart from hoping that RR get walloped by MI, and PBKS lose to LSG as well. While there have been some comprehensive wins in IPL 2026, this combination is more in the realms of fantasy.
