Only three fixtures are left in the IPL 2026 league phase, setting up a tense final round of permutations. Saturday brings Punjab Kings against Lucknow Super Giants, while Sunday features a double-header: Rajasthan Royals take on Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders play Delhi Capitals.
With six teams still in the mix, four—Rajasthan, Punjab, Kolkata and Delhi—are truly chasing a single remaining playoff spot. Already, three of the four playoff places have been secured by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Quick facts: final-day scenarios
- Remaining league matches: 3 total (Saturday: PBKS vs LSG; Sunday: RR vs MI and KKR vs DC).
- Contenders for the last spot: RR, PBKS, KKR and DC.
- Already qualified playoff berths: RCB, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (three of four).
- PBKS currently: 13 points from 13 matches; NRR +0.227.
- RR currently: 14 points from 13 matches; NRR +0.083.
- KKR currently: 13 points from 13 matches; NRR +0.011.
- DC currently: 12 points from 13 matches; NRR -0.871.
Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants
Punjab Kings, the runners-up from 2025, are in a do-or-die position. They started IPL 2026 with six straight wins, but now they must deliver in their last league game at Ekana Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday.
With 13 points from 13 matches, PBKS need a win to stay alive. Their path stays narrow, but a victory would give them the momentum they need to climb to 15 points and become strong contenders in the playoff race.
Rajasthan Royals’ equation
Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, control the best immediate position among the chasing group. They are set to finish the league stage on Sunday against Mumbai Indians, and a win would lift them to 16 points and put them firmly in the playoffs.
If RR lose, they will still look to the results around them—specifically hoping PBKS drop points against LSG and that KKR fall short versus DC on Sunday. In that scenario, Rajasthan could still advance thanks to their run-rate advantage.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ path
Kolkata Knight Riders head into Sunday with 13 points from 13 matches, backed by an NRR of +0.011. Their match against Delhi Capitals is crucial: a win would take them to 15 points.
Even then, their hopes depend on other outcomes. KKR will be watching whether PBKS and RR lose their respective matches, since that combination would improve their chances of squeezing into the final playoff berth.
Delhi Capitals’ must-win challenge
Delhi Capitals arrive on 12 points from 13 matches, with an NRR of -0.871, making their situation the toughest. They need to defeat KKR by a “humongous margin” to stand a realistic chance of finishing inside the top four.
That margin is only part of the equation. DC also require PBKS and RR to lose their games on Sunday, so results elsewhere align with their improved run-rate after the KKR contest.
