It has become very difficult for Chennai Super Kings to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs, but it is still possible. Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated CSK by 5 wickets in the match held in Chepauk on Monday. Batting first, Chennai scored 180 runs. While chasing the target, Ishan Kishan played a match-winning inning of 70 runs. Know how Chennai can now reach the playoffs.
With the win against Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad has qualified for the playoffs. Gujarat Titans also benefited from SRH’s victory, second placed GT has also officially reached the playoffs. Now 1 spot is left, for which the hopes of 5 teams including CSK are alive. Here we are telling about the equation of Chennai reaching the playoffs.
Rajasthan Royals lost both the matches
Rajasthan Royals is the fourth team after RCB, GT and SRH, which can still reach 16 points. Rajasthan has a match with Lucknow today (19 May). If Rajasthan wins then Chennai will almost be out. Rajasthan’s second match is with Mumbai, if Rajasthan wins both the matches then Chennai will be out of the race for the playoffs.
Also read- What did captain Rituraj Gaikwad say after the defeat in the ‘do or die’ match against SRH? Who was held responsible?
Punjab and Kolkata lost
Chennai Super Kings need Kolkata Knight Riders to lose one of the 2 matches. Kolkata has one match with MI on Wednesday and the other match with DC on Sunday. Punjab’s last match is with Lucknow on Saturday. Chennai needs Punjab to also lose its last match, which is against LSG on Saturday.
It is important to win in the last match
If the above equations hold and Chennai Super Kings wins their last match against Gujarat Titans, then CSK will reach the playoffs. Chennai’s last match with Gujarat is on May 21 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Also read- ‘I don’t care whether he plays or not…’, what Sanjay Manjrekar said about MS Dhoni
CSK will reach playoffs if
- Rajasthan Royals lose both their matches
- Punjab Kings lose their last match
- Kolkata Knight Riders lose one of their matches

