Royal Challengers Bangalore has defeated Punjab Kings by 23 runs. Punjab’s playoff hopes have been dealt a major blow by its sixth consecutive defeat in IPL 2026. In this match played in Dharamshala, Bengaluru, batting first, scored 222 runs. Despite Shashank Singh’s fighting fifty, Punjab remained 23 runs short of the target.

This is the same Punjab Kings team which had not lost in the first seven matches of the season. If we look at the points table, Punjab has 13 points in 13 matches and is in fourth place. There is only one match left in the league stage, can just one match take Punjab to the playoffs? Know here what is the latest equation of playoffs for PBKS.

Is Punjab out?

No, Punjab Kings is still in the race for the playoffs. But after the defeat against Bengaluru, its hopes of remaining in the last-4 have reduced. Punjab has 13 points from 13 matches and has only one match left in the league stage. He has to play this last match with Lucknow Super Giants on 23 May. Lucknow is already out of the playoff race.

If Punjab wants to go to the playoffs, it will have to win the last league stage match by a big margin, which will take its total to 15 points. Since it is no longer possible for Punjab to match Gujarat and Bengaluru. This means Punjab can no longer finish in the top-2.

• Punjab should win its last match
• Sunrisers Hyderabad should lose their next two matches.
• CSK and RR could not go beyond 14 points
• Punjab’s net run rate was better than other teams

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Punjab Kings Playoff Qualification Chances: Till about 2 weeks ago, Punjab Kings were ruling the points table of IPL 2026. This team, captained by Shreyas Air, had not lost even a single match in the first 7 matches. The PBKS team must have guessed how fate turns its face. Punjab, which has suffered 5 consecutive defeats, is currently at fourth place in the points table.

At one time Punjab was considered a contender to finish in the top-2. But now his place in the playoffs is also in danger. Only 2 matches are left for Punjab and its playoff future will be decided by these two matches. Know here how Punjab can now secure its place in the last-4.

Punjab’s playoff equation

Punjab Kings has played 12 matches and has 13 points. If Punjab wins its next two matches, its total points will be 17. History shows that on 17 points the team easily qualifies for the playoffs and to reach there, PBKS will have to win the next two matches.

If Punjab Kings wins one of the next 2 matches, they will have 15 points. Even with 15 points, Punjab Kings can qualify for the playoffs, but their qualification will depend on the results of other matches. Let us tell you that the next 2 matches of Punjab Kings are to be played with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants.

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What is the reason for poor performance?

One of the main reasons for Punjab Kings reaching this situation is poor bowling. If we talk about the last 5 matches only, Punjab bowlers have given away 200 or more runs four times. In these five matches, Punjab team could not defend the score even after scoring 200 runs thrice.

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