Punjab Kings won six out of their first seven games in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost five out of their first six games last month. A few weeks later, KKR and PBKS find themselves placed fifth and sixth on the points table with 13 points each. Such has been the story of the IPL 2026 that the fourth playoffs spot has five contenders (mathematically) with just five games left at the league stage. On May 20, Ajinkya Rahane’s KKR beat Mumbai Indians (MI) and kept holding on to a slim thread of fourth playoffs berth. KKR go up against Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 24 (Sunday). Before that, they need two of the four games to go their way, or just one.
As far as KKR are concerned, the results of Gujarat Titans (GT) versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) don’t matter to them. On May 23, PBKS go up against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The Rishabh Pant-led LSG have the capabilities to beat an out-of-form PBKS at home. Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS have lost seven consecutive games, jeopardising their playoffs berth. However, even if PBKS beat LSG, handing them the wooden spoon, KKR can still make it to playoffs.
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If PBKS beat LSG on May 23, it will knock out CSK and DC out of the tournament. PBKS would move to fourth place on the points table. Then, only three contenders will remain.
If RR win, GAME OVER for 4 teams
On May 24, before taking on the field, KKR players will be anxious as they will need MI to beat Rajasthan Royals (RR). If Riyan Parag's side beats MI at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, they will go through and it's game over for PBKS and LSG. If five-time IPL champions beat RR, KKR will have a chance even if PBKS have 15 points.
NRR will come into play
KKR will find themselves in a tricky situation, facing DC in their final league stage game if PBKS win and RR lose. KKR's net run rate (NRR) of +0.011 is slightly inferior to PBKS (+0.227). If PBKS win, their NRR is bound to improve. If PBKS beat MI by a huge margin, their NRR will rise, creating more problems for DC. In that case, KKR will not only need a win over DC but there will be conditions attached to it as well. It may lead to KKR ruing why they took 18.5 overs to chase down the target of 148 against MI on May 20.
In an ideal situation, KKR would want LSG to beat PBKS and MI getting the better of RR. It will create a simple equation for KKR - beat DC and qualify for playoffs.