After 68 matches, 25,105 runs and 793 wickets, the league phase of IPL 2026 will come to a dramatic final day. One playoff spot remains. Three teams are still alive. And by Sunday night, two dreams will be gone, while one will advance to the playoffs.At the top, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans have already sealed the top two spots and will face off in Qualifier 1 after both finished on 18 points. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who also finished on 18 points but with an inferior net run rate, are third and will now await their eliminator opponents.That fourth and final playoff berth is still undecided. And his fate rests on Super Sunday.Two matches left:
Rajasthan Royals Vs Mumbai IndiansKolkata Knight Riders Vs Delhi Capitals
Current Points:
- PBKS – 15 points (all matches completed)
- RR – 14 points (1 match left vs MI)
- KKR – 13 points (1 match left vs DC)
Watching nervously from home will be Punjab Kings, whose league stage campaign is already over after finishing with 15 points from 14 matches. Currently, PBKS are tentatively in fourth place, but their qualification fate is no longer in their own hands.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) qualifies if…
- RR lost to MI.
- If KKR lose or the match ends – PBKS qualifies outright.
- If KKR beat DC in a close match – PBKS Edge over KKR NRR
RR and KKR can still grab this spot. The equations are straightforward, at least initially.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) qualifies if…
This takes RR to 16 points, automatically above PBKS (15) and KKR’s maximum possible tally (15). Calculation of NRR is not required.KKR entered the final day on 13 points and could only reach 15 with a win over DC. But even if they do, it may not be enough. Their current NRR of +0.011 is significantly behind PBKS’ +0.309, meaning KKR need not just one win, but a big one.If KKR bat first, they will need a margin of victory of around 76 runs or more to leapfrog PBKS on net run rate. If KKR chases down, the need becomes even more acute in terms of scoring rate. Depending on the target, KKR will likely need to complete the chase around the 12-over mark.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are eligible only if:
- RR lost to MI.
- And KKR beat DC by a considerable margin to overtake PBKS on NRR.
KKR will need a 76+ run win to take their NRR past PBKS. If KKR chases successfully, KKR will need a very fast chase: around the 12 over mark.If KKR bat first.
| KKR batted first. | DC score | A winning margin is required. |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | 82 or less | 78 runs |
| 180 | 103 or less | 77 runs |
| 200 | 123 or less | 77 runs |
| 220 | 144 or less | 76 runs |
| 240 | 165 or less | 76 runs |
If KKR chases down successfully.
| target | KKR will have to chase it down. |
|---|---|
| 140-160 | Within 12 overs |
| 161–180 | Within 12.1 overs |
| 181-200 | Within 12.1 overs |
| 201-220 | Within 12.2 overs |
| 221–240 | Within 12.3 overs |
If RR beat MI in the afternoon clash, the playoff run ends immediately. RR became the fourth qualifier, and the evening game between KKR and DC became irrelevant to the qualification.But if MI upset RR, Eden Gardens will host a virtual knockout. PBKS will suddenly become Delhi Capitals supporters for the night, hoping that DC will either win outright or avoid a crushing defeat.KKR, meanwhile, will know what they need by the time they hit the field.One last day. Two matches. Three contestants. There is one seat left in the playoffs.
