After a flamboyant start to IPL 2026, winning matches consecutively, always at the top of the points table, PBKS have been phenomenal in the first phase of the tournament. But massive pressure on them after suffering five consecutive defeats following their unbeaten seven-match start to the season. This has jeopardized their position to qualify bringing a lot of permutations and combinations to picture.

Times have become desperate for the Shreyas Iyer as they anyhow have to win next two games to qualify and that too will depend on few other wins and losses by other IPL teams. In this article, we take a look at how PBKS can qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

How can PBKS qualify for IPL 2026 Playoffs?

As of May 16, 2026, Punjab Kings(PBKS) are positioned at the 5th spot in points table with 13 points in total.If PBKS can win two out of the two matches, they will finish on 17 points, wherein the Net Run Rate could come into play to decide their position. If PBKS only win one of their two remaining matches, then the PBKS might get out of the top four, depending on the wins of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

PBKS would next lock horns with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to fight their way towards qualification.

PBKS must win all remaining matches

PBKS vs RCB - PBKS Win- 17th May

PBKS vs LSG - CSK win- 23RD May

Not only that their fate is also in the hands of other teams as that would hugely effect their qualification chances because winning only at this point is not enough in the over crowded IPL 2026 points table.

The Breakdown

  • With 2 Wins (Total: 17 points): PBKS guarantees their playoff spot. Reaching 17 points puts them safely out of reach for struggling teams like DC and KKR, and leaves them dependent only on GT and RCB for the top 2 spots.

  • With 1 Win (Total: 15 points): A tricky scenario indeed. They would need CSK and RR to lose their matches, and would have to rely on their better Net Run Rate (NRR).

  • With 0 Wins (Total: 13 points): Elimination will be certain.

Other teams’ scenarios that could help CSK qualify:

  • PBKS beat RCB & LSG and reach 17 points, SRH beat RCB, GT lose at least one of the CSK/KKR games

  • RR loses at least one game

PBKS vs RCB on 16th May 2026 is gonna be a decider game for both sides. If PBKS lose to RCB and beat LSG, they would finish on 15 points and become heavily dependent on results involving SRH, CSK, RR and GT.