By Admin 
Only five matches are left in the league stage of IPL 2026. Only one slot is left for the playoffs, because Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans have secured a place in the last-4. There is only one place left in the playoffs, but there is a fight for it between five teams. Actually, the key to playoff qualification is in the hands of only one team, once it wins, all the other teams will be out.
Actually, the decision of playoff cannot be taken till 24th May, because now the entire game depends on Rajasthan Royals. Even if the remaining four teams, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, win their last matches, their place in the playoffs will not be confirmed till May 24.
Rajasthan has the key to playoff
In fact, among the remaining five teams, Rajasthan Royals is the only one which can reach 16 points. Talking about the remaining four teams, Punjab and Kolkata have 13 points each. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have 12-12 points. Suppose Punjab and Kolkata win their respective last matches, then they will have maximum 15 points. Whereas Chennai and Delhi will be able to reach 14 points if they win.
Since Rajasthan Royals currently have 14 points and their last league match is to be held on 24th May. If Rajasthan wins over Mumbai Indians in that match, then RR will qualify for the playoffs. If Rajasthan loses in that match, then the way for the remaining four teams to go to the playoffs will open or not. At present, except Rajasthan, all four teams are dependent on each other for the playoffs.
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