NEW DELHI: The race for the last playoff berth in IPL 2026 is tightening fast, with the competition increasingly defined by fine margins and final-day outcomes. Runners-up from last year, Punjab Kings?—not quite yet. Three sides have already booked their places in the postseason: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. That leaves the remaining spot to be contested by Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. Who will claim it will be decided soon.
Punjab Kings are set to play their decisive match on Saturday when they take on the already eliminated Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. With qualification still within reach, the encounter carries heavy weight for both teams—especially for Punjab Kings, who will be desperate to arrest their slide.
Punjab Kings began IPL 2026 with real momentum under captain Shreyas Iyer, winning six of their opening seven matches, while one fixture was washed out with no result. However, the tournament turned sharply against them as their form collapsed: they suffered six straight defeats and lost their rhythm at the most critical stage of the league campaign.
Now, with the pressure mounting, Punjab Kings have stretched their winless run to six matches. They head into their concluding league game needing a result, knowing their fate could hinge on how the rest of the day’s matches unfold.
Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, have already fallen out of the playoff race. With nothing left to chase, they can play with freedom—trying to sign off with pride and, at the same time, potentially complicate Punjab Kings’ chances of reaching the top four.
How Punjab Kings can still qualify: the different scenarios
If Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants in their final league match, they will move into the top four. Even then, a victory alone may not be enough, depending on how other results shape the points table.
Punjab Kings currently sit on 13 points. A win over LSG would take them to 15. From there, they would need outcomes from the remaining matches to fall in their favour.
The clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians is expected to play a crucial role in determining Punjab Kings’ path. Rajasthan Royals are on 14 points, and if they defeat Mumbai Indians, they would finish with 16 points—one more than Punjab Kings. In that case, an RR win would effectively confirm the final playoff spot.
However, if Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings would need another favourable result in the game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. Punjab Kings’ preference would be for Delhi Capitals to get the win over KKR, keeping both teams below them in the standings and improving their own qualification prospects.
Punjab Kings can even qualify without relying on Net Run Rate, provided all of the following three results go their way: Punjab Kings defeat Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians beat Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals beat Kolkata Knight Riders.
Stay locked in for the latest IPL updates, including live match scoring, breaking news, and the changing points picture as the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap continues to evolve.
