Punjab Kings kept their IPL 2026 playoff chances alive with a vital victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 68, snapping a run of six straight defeats. The win was driven by captain Shreyas Iyer, who produced a maiden IPL century as PBKS moved into fourth place on the points table, entering the final round of league matches with their final playoff spot still firmly within reach.
IPL 2026 points picture after Match 68
With the league schedule nearing its end, the standings are now led by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while the race for the remaining playoffs berth tightens around Punjab Kings and their closest rivals.
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Top two: Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain first after finishing the league stage on 18 points from 14 matches, with nine wins and five losses. Their net run rate is +0.783.
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Second place: Gujarat Titans are also on 18 points with the same 14-match win-loss tally (nine wins, five defeats), but they sit behind RCB due to a slightly lower net run rate of +0.695.
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Third place: Sunrisers Hyderabad occupy third with 18 points and a net run rate of +0.524, having won nine of their 14 matches.
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Playoff-bound trio: Bengaluru, Gujarat and Hyderabad have already confirmed their places in the playoffs.
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Fourth place shift: Punjab Kings have climbed to fourth on 15 points from 14 games, registering seven wins and six losses, with one no result. Their current net run rate is +0.309.
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Qualification not locked: Even with the resurgence, Punjab’s passage to the playoffs is not guaranteed and will depend on how the final league fixtures shape the points and net run rate comparisons.
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Rajasthan Royals: Rajasthan Royals are fifth with 14 points from 13 matches, after winning seven and losing six. Their net run rate is +0.083 heading into the last league outing.
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Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders sit sixth on 13 points from 13 matches, with six wins, six defeats and one no result. Their net run rate stands at +0.011, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the mathematical sense.
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Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings are seventh with 12 points from 14 matches and a net run rate of -0.345, coming from six wins and eight losses.
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Delhi Capitals: Delhi Capitals are eighth with 12 points from 13 matches, but their net run rate is -0.871.
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Mumbai Indians: Mumbai Indians are ninth with eight points from 13 games and a net run rate of -0.510, following nine defeats so far. Their finishing position could also be at the bottom if they lose heavily in their final league match and their net run rate slides below Lucknow’s.
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Lucknow Super Giants: Lucknow Super Giants remain last after 14 matches with eight points and a net run rate of -0.740, having managed four wins across the campaign.
At the moment, the season’s playoff picture is clear at the top, but the lower half of the table is still unsettled—especially for the final qualification spot—after PBKS’ breakthrough win led by Iyer’s landmark knock.
