IPL 2026 | One week to go, 8 teams remain in Playoffs race: What each franchise needs to finish in top-four

Such is the race this season that the top three teams -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru, GT, Sunrisers Hyderabad, could seal a top-four berth with another win, but also risk elimination with consecutive defeats.

As we look ahead at the final week of the league stage in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the four teams that will proceed to the Playoffs is still undecided. However, we could get the first confirmed qualifier on Saturday if Gujarat Titans manage to beat Kolkata Knight Riders.

A couple of weeks ago, the points table was different, with Punjab Kings sitting comfortably at the top. However, five consecutive defeats after remaining unbeaten for the first seven matches, means they are in a must win situation, along with others like Chennai Super Kings.

Such is the race this season that the top three teams -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru, GT, and Sunrisers Hyderabad -- could seal a top-four berth with another win, but also risk elimination with consecutive defeats.

Only two teams -- Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians -- are out of the Playoffs race, while Delhi Capitals and KKR hang by a thread.

In a first, a four-way tie at 18 is a possibility if GT lose one, RR win all three, RCB beat PBKS but lose to SRH, and SRH also beat CSK. The NRR will then be the decider for a place in Qualifier 1.

Here is what each team requires to end in the top-four:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB sit at the top of the table with 16 points in 12 matches. A win will guarantee a top-four spot and could also result in a possible top-two finish, owing to their Net Run Rate, which is double than the next best in the league. Meanwhile, two wins would mean they will guarantee a place in Qualifier 1.

There is also a slim chance of them getting eliminated. It could happen if hey lose both and if GT and RR get to 18, SRH beat CSK to get to 18 points and PBKS beat LSG to reach 17 points.

RCB can get through with 16 too, if other results go their way way, but that could diminish chances of a top-two finish.

The defending champions play PBKS and SRH in the last two league games.

Gujarat Titans

GT could be the first team to guarantee a qualification if they beat KKR on Saturday. They are on a five-match winning streak and sit second on the table with 16 points in 12 matches. They are separated by RCB only by Net Run Rate.

Unlike RCB, a win today would not guarantee a top-two finish as SRH and RR could surpass their NRR and 18 points would result in a finish anywhere between first and fourth.

However, much like RCB, two defeats could result in elimination.

The Shubman Gill-led side will face KKR and CSK in their final two encounters.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

A massive defeat to GT in their previous match dented SRH's top-two dreams. Winning the remaining two matches will place them in the Playoffs. However, if the CSK and lose to RCB, they can still make it purely based on points if PBKS and RR do not win more than one match. If the reverse happens - they lose to CSK and beat RCB - then it could leave a scenario of multiple teams tied at 16.

SRH can also make it to the top-four with the current 14 points if PBKS and RR lose all their matches and KKR drop at least one (while beating DC), There can be a NRR situation for a 14-points tie if PBKS get to 15.

The 2016 champions will face CSK and RCB in their last two matches.

Punjab Kings

PBKS were firmly at the top of the table at the half-way stage. However, their campaign has derailed ever since.

Two wins should take them through with 17 points. It could also result in a top-two finish if either of GT or RCB go winless from here on.

They can still make it with 13 points, if RR and CSK stay winless and KKR beat DC but lose to GT and MI. This will result KKR staying at 11 points and RR, DC and CSK at 12 apiece, taking PBKS through as the fourth team alongside RCB, GT and SRH. Similarly, they will need other results to go their way if they win a match and drop one to end on 15 points.

The Shreyas Iyer-led squad face RCB and LSG in their two matches.

Rajasthan Royals

Unbeaten in the first four matches, RR too have gone the PBKS way to find themselves in the middle-muddle. An advantage for them is that they face all teams that are out of contention.

A strong finish with three wins means 18 points, assuring a qualification and also battling for a top-two position. They can finish in the top four with 16 points if PBKS drop one game and stay at 15, and RR stay ahead on the net run-rate in case of a 16 points tie.

A win takes them to 14 points, which could also be enough with or without NRR if multiple results go their way. PBKS and CSK have to to lose all and DC and KKR to stay behind them.

RR will play DC, LSG and MI in their final three matches.

Chennai Super Kings

CSK's defeat to LSG on Friday means they need other results to go their way. They can still reach 16 points and qualify for the playoffs. If RCB beat SRH and RR and PBKS win no more than one, they go straight through. There can also be a 16 points tie featuring them and the other contenders, bringing it down to NRR.

The five-time champions can also qualify with 14 points if PBKS and RR go winless, KKR beat DC, but lose at least one of the other two.

CSK face SRH and GT next.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR play all their remaining matches at home and winning each of them will take them to 15 points, while each of SRH, PBKS, RR and CSK can get to 16 points or more (other than RCB and GT), which would make KKR's results immaterial and result in a finish outside of the top four. However, with results going their way, KKR can qualify for the Playoffs even with 13 points.

This would mean they beat DC against DC, while RR and CSK drop all their remaining games. It will then come down to NRR between them and PBKS for a fourth finish.

The three-time champions face GT, MI and DC in their remaining fixtures.

Delhi Capitals

DC's qualification depends only if they win both matches and other results go their way. However, their NRR of -0.993 means they will have to register massive wins. They want RCB, GT and SRH to keep winning, while and LSG and MI help them by beating PBKS and RR in their remaining matches.

If this happens, DC stand a chance without depending on NRR. With a poor NRR, even two wins and finishing on 14 points could prove worthless.

They face RR and KKR in their final two matches.