Punjab Kings kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive after ending their six-match losing streak with a crucial win over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 68. Powered by a maiden IPL century from captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS climbed to fourth place on the points table and remain firmly in contention for the final playoff spot heading into the last round of league fixtures.
| Position | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.783 |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.695 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.524 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 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 (E) | 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 lead the standings despite their heavy defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. RCB finished the league stage with 18 points from 14 matches, registering 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 identical win-loss record, but their lower NRR of +0.695 keeps them behind Bengaluru. Sunrisers Hyderabad occupy third place with 18 points and an NRR of +0.524 after also winning nine of their 14 matches. All three teams have already sealed playoff qualification. Punjab Kings are now fourth with 15 points from 14 games, having won seven matches, lost six and had one no result. Their net run rate currently stands at +0.309. However, their qualification is still not guaranteed, with other results set to decide whether they hold on to the final playoff position. Rajasthan Royals remain fifth with 14 points from 13 matches. RR have won seven and lost six so far and carry an NRR of +0.083 heading into their final league game. Kolkata Knight Riders are sixth with 13 points from 13 matches, having recorded six wins, six defeats and one no result. Their NRR stands at +0.011, keeping them mathematically alive in the playoff race as well. The bottom half of the table features teams already eliminated from contention. Chennai Super Kings are seventh with 12 points from 14 matches and an NRR of -0.345 after six wins and eight losses. Delhi Capitals sit eighth with 12 points from 13 matches and a poor NRR of -0.871. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are currently ninth with eight points from 13 games and an NRR of -0.510 following 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 drops below Lucknow’s. Lucknow Super Giants currently occupy last place after managing only four wins in 14 matches, ending their campaign with eight points and an NRR of -0.740.
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