Punjab Kings player Prabhsimran Singh and captain Shreyas Iyer (ANI Image)
Punjab Kings kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive after they ended their six-match losing streak with a crucial win over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 68. Buoyed by a maiden IPL century from captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have climbed to fourth place on the points table and remain firmly in contention for the final playoff spot ahead of the final round of league matches.
| position | a team | p | W | to | N.R | points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (S) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.783 |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans (S) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.695 |
| 3 | Sunrise, Hyderabad (S) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.524 |
| 4 | Kings of Punjab | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 15 | +0.309 |
| 5 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 14 | +0.083 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | +0.011 |
| 7 | Chennai Super Kings (E) | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 12 | -0.345 |
| 8 | delhi capitals | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -0.871 |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians (H) | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 8 | -0.510 |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants (E) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -0.740 |
At the top, Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue to top the standings despite their heavy defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. RCB finished the league stage with 18 points from 14 matches, recording nine wins and five losses, along with a healthy net run rate of +0.783. Gujarat Titans are second with the same number of points and the same win-loss record, but a lower PPR of +0.695 keeps them behind Bengaluru.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are third with 18 points and an NRR of +0.524 after also winning nine out of 14 matches.
All three teams have already secured the playoffs.The Punjab Kings team ranks fourth with 15 points from 14 matches, having won seven matches, lost six matches, and did not achieve any results in one match. The net operating ratio is currently +0.309. However, their qualification is still not guaranteed, with further results set to determine whether or not they retain the final qualifying spot.Rajasthan Royals remain in fifth place with 14 points from 13 matches. RR has won seven and lost six so far and holds an NRR of +0.083 heading into their final league game.
Kolkata Knight Riders occupies sixth place with 13 points from 13 matches, after recording six wins, six defeats and one draw without a result. Their NRR is +0.011, which keeps them mathematically alive in the playoff race as well.
Will Punjab Kings qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs?
The bottom half of the table features teams that have already been eliminated from the competition. Chennai Super Kings are in seventh place with 12 points from 14 matches and a scoring average of -0.345 after six wins and eight defeats. Delhi Capitals are in eighth place with 12 points from 13 matches and a weak drop-off percentage of -0.871.Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are currently in ninth place with eight points from 13 matches and -0.510 after nine defeats this season. However, MI could still finish at the bottom of the table if they suffer a heavy defeat in their final league game and their NRR falls below Lucknow. Lucknow Super Giants are currently in last position having managed just four wins in 14 matches, finishing their campaign with eight points and a national batting average of -0.740.
