IPL 2026 Points Table: Favourites For Playoffs, Who Can Qualify - Halfway Stage Update

As the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) crosses the halfway mark, the battle for the top four has intensified. With almost every team having played seven matches, clear tiers have begun to emerge, separating the title contenders from those struggling for survival.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) remain the team to beat. Sitting at the top with 13 points from seven games, they have been the most consistent side, boasting a league-high Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.333. Their blend of clinical powerplay bowling and aggressive top and middle-order batting has kept them nearly unbeaten.

Hot on their heels are Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), both locked on 10 points. RCB surged to second place following a dominant win over Gujarat Titans, led by a vintage Virat Kohli and a firing middle order. Rajasthan, bolstered by the historic form of young phenom Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, remains a powerhouse despite a few mid-season hiccups.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) occupy the final playoff spot with 8 points. Their all-out-attack philosophy has yielded high totals, though their bowling remains vulnerable under pressure.

Beneath them, a massive logjam has formed at 6 points. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lead this pack in fifth place, thanks to a massive 103-run victory over Mumbai that boosted their NRR into the positive. Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Titans (GT) follow closely.

While DC has shown flashes of brilliance, the Titans have struggled to find the same defensive cohesion that defined their previous seasons.

The bottom of the table sees traditional giants in distress. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are struggling in eighth and ninth with only 4 points each. For MI, a shaky top order and expensive death bowling have led to five losses in seven games.

Finally, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) languish at the bottom with just 3 points. Despite a solitary win and one no result, their campaign has been marred by inconsistency. At this stage, the bottom three will likely need to win at least six of their remaining seven games to harbor any realistic playoff ambitions.

IPL 2026 Points Table

Looking toward the second half, Punjab Kings and RCB are the overwhelming favorites to secure the top two spots, given their current momentum and balanced squads.

Rajasthan Royals look safe for a playoff berth, while the final spot will likely be a three-way shootout between SRH, CSK, and a surging Delhi Capitals.

Conversely, the outlook is bleak for the bottom three; KKR and LSG are effectively in must-win-all territory, while Mumbai Indians would need a historic miracle—winning at least six of their remaining seven fixtures—to avoid an early exit. Expect the mid-table to remain volatile as NRR becomes the deciding factor in the final week of May.