IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios: How PBKS's Win Over LSG Impacts RR and KKR's Chances
The result at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has significantly shifted the qualification landscape for the fourth and final playoff berth, piling immense pressure on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Punjab Kings (PBKS) kept their IPL 2026 playoff dreams alive following a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Saturday evening. The result at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has significantly shifted the qualification landscape for the fourth and final playoff berth, piling immense pressure on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Shreyas Iyer Registers Maiden IPL Hundred, Achieves Feat During LSG vs PBKS Match.
With Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad already securing the top three spots, the race for the final eliminator berth will now go down to the very last day of the league stage. The vital victory elevates Punjab to 15 points in the standings. Whilst their postseason fate is no longer in their own hands, they have successfully eliminated any margin for error for the remaining contenders. Punjab must now rely entirely on external results going their way on Sunday.
IPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios
Rajasthan's Straightforward Equation
For the Rajasthan Royals, the path to the playoffs remains clear but fraught with tension. Currently sitting on 14 points, RR face the eliminated Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A victory will take RR to 16 points, mathematically securing the final playoff spot regardless of other outcomes, as no other contending franchise can breach the 15-point mark. However, should RR suffer a defeat, they will be stranded on 14 points and formally eliminated from contention.
The Crucial KKR vs DC Clash
The PBKS victory has set up a thrilling climax for the Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, who face off against each other at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. With both sides currently sitting on 13 points, the winner of this clash will successfully match Punjab Kings' tally of 15 points. Shreyas Iyer Reaches 7,000 T20 Runs, Achieves Milestone During LSG vs PBKS IPL 2026.
If RR falters against Mumbai earlier in the day, the final qualification spot will be decided by net run rate (NRR) between PBKS and the winner of the KKR-DC encounter.
Because PBKS currently holds a superior NRR, KKR not only need to win their head-to-head matchup, but they must do so by a monumental margin to overturn Punjab's mathematical advantage. KKR must win by a margin of 77 runs if they score 200. In case KKR is chasing, they have to chase down 180 runs in 12 to 12.4 overs.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2026 11:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
