The Picture After 52 Matches
With the league stage of IPL 2026 entering its final stretch, the playoff picture is slowly taking shape, and the race for those four spots is as exciting as it has been in years. Some teams are sitting pretty. Others are hanging on. And two franchises have already packed their bags.
Here is where every team stands right now and what they need to do next.
The Teams Already Eliminated
It is official. Both Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are out of IPL 2026. MI’s fate was sealed after their loss to RCB in Raipur on May 10, and LSG went out the same evening after their defeat to CSK at Chepauk. For MI, a side that has made the playoffs 11 times in 19 seasons, this is a genuinely disappointing campaign. For LSG, sitting at the bottom of the table with just six points, it was a season to forget from start to finish.
Who Is Leading the Table
After 52 matches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru sit at the top with 14 points and a net run rate of plus 0.737. Their win over MI in Raipur was the victory that catapulted them to the summit, and right now they look the strongest side in the competition.
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans are level with RCB on 14 points but have inferior net run rates. Punjab Kings, who have been brilliant for large chunks of this season, are also firmly in the mix and need just a few more points to hit the magic number.
The Teams Fighting for Their Lives
Rajasthan Royals, after a brilliant start to the season that included multiple Suryavanshi fireworks, have stuttered in recent weeks. They are still in contention but their inconsistency has cost them momentum.
Chennai Super Kings made a big statement with their win over LSG at Chepauk, jumping to 12 points. They have the experience and the bowling, led by Purple Cap contender Anshul Kamboj, to push all the way to the playoffs.
Delhi Capitals are in the most difficult position. They need to win all of their remaining games just to give themselves an outside shot.
What the Remaining Fixtures Decide
The next week of cricket is going to shape the entire IPL 2026 season. Every match now carries playoff implications, and even a single defeat could completely change the standings. Teams that looked comfortable just a few days ago are suddenly under pressure because of how tightly packed the table has become. Net run rate is also starting to matter more with every passing game, especially for sides sitting on the same number of points.
Punjab Kings versus Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala is one of the biggest matches of the week. PBKS still have a strong chance of staying in the top-four race, but another defeat would leave them relying on other results. Delhi, meanwhile, are fighting to keep their campaign alive after an inconsistent second half of the season. With both teams desperate for points, the match has the feel of a virtual knockout.
Chennai Super Kings are another side nobody wants to face right now. Their experienced core has begun to click at the perfect time, and their bowling attack has looked far more balanced over the last few matches. If CSK win their remaining fixtures, they could easily jump into the playoff spots and even challenge for a top-two finish depending on other results.
RCB, SRH and GT are also locked in a tense battle. RCB have momentum and confidence after a strong run in recent games, while SRH remain dangerous because of their explosive batting lineup. Gujarat Titans still have one of the most balanced squads in the competition, but they cannot afford any slip-ups from here.
The playoff format remains unchanged. The top two teams will meet in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the final. The teams finishing third and fourth will play the Eliminator, where defeat means immediate elimination. The final will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, and right now the race to get there could not be tighter.
Written by 8JJ.com | May 11, 2026
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