IPL 2026 Points Table: LSG Acts Party Spoiler For CSK's Playoff Race In Match 59

The 2026 IPL playoffs race has taken a dramatic turn following Lucknow Super Giants' commanding victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Ekana Stadium. In a high-stakes encounter, LSG—despite already being eliminated from the tournament—played the ultimate spoiler.

After a resilient 71 from Kartik Sharma and a late cameo from Shivam Dube pushed CSK to a competitive 187/5, the hosts chased the target down with 20 balls to spare. Mitchell Marsh was the architect of the destruction, smashing a blistering 90 off just 38 deliveries.

This result has sent shockwaves through the points table. CSK’s fourth consecutive win was not to be; instead, they have slipped from fifth to sixth position with 12 points and a precarious net run rate (NRR) of +0.027.

They have been overtaken by Rajasthan Royals, who also sit on 12 points but boast a superior NRR and a game in hand. While the win was a moral victory for LSG, they remain rooted to the bottom of the table, though they have successfully dragged the defending champions into a survival scrap.

The road to the top four is now significantly steeper for the Yellow Army. With only two games remaining against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, the five-time champions essentially face a knockout situation. To guarantee a spot without relying heavily on complex math, CSK must win both matches to reach 16 points.

If they manage only one win, finishing on 14 points, they will need a series of favorable results from other fixtures—specifically hoping that Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals drop their remaining games. A loss in both would result in a third consecutive season without playoff cricket for the franchise.

IPL 2026 Updated Points Table

Beyond the CSK-LSG drama, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sit comfortably at the top with 16 points and the league's best NRR (+1.053). One more win in their final two games would officially secure their place, and even a loss might not hurt them given their massive NRR cushion.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are neck-and-neck for the third and fourth spots. SRH, currently on 14 points, can seal their fate by winning their remaining fixtures, while PBKS at 13 points must snap a recent losing streak to avoid being leapfrogged by the surging Rajasthan Royals.

Further down, Delhi Capitals (DC) face a near-impossible mountain to climb. With only 10 points and a heavily negative NRR (-0.993), they not only need to win their final two games by massive margins but also require almost every other mid-table result to go their way.

At this stage, the battle for the final two slots has effectively become a four-way shootout between SRH, PBKS, RR, and CSK.

The intensity continues tonight as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host the high-flying Gujarat Titans (GT) at Eden Gardens. For KKR, sitting in eighth with 9 points, this is a literal must-win to stay mathematically alive; a defeat tonight would likely end their campaign.

For Gujarat, the stakes are about dominance. Currently second with 16 points, a win tonight would not only officially secure their playoff berth but also put them in a prime position to challenge RCB for a top-two finish. As the league stage enters its final week, every boundary and wicket at the Eden Gardens will echo through the qualification race.