Punjab Kings (PBKS) are still in a very strong position to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs despite suffering four consecutive defeats. Shreyas Iyer’s men were once sitting comfortably at the top of the points table after winning six of their first seven matches, but a slight dip has suddenly made things interesting.
Their latest defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) dented their net run rate. However, with them having an odd number (13) of points, they are not likely to end up with the same points as most of the sides. Against DC, their bowling attack was weak once again, which allowed the opposition to chase down the 211-run target with 1 over to spare. Still, with 13 points from 11 matches, PBKS remain one of the favourites to qualify for the playoffs.
Current IPL 2026 points table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 14 | +1.103 |
| 2 | SRH | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 14 | +0.737 |
| 3 | GT | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 14 | +0.228 |
| 4 | PBKS | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 13 | +0.428 |
| 5 | CSK | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.185 |
| 6 | RR | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.082 |
| 7 | DC | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | -0.993 |
| 8 | KKR | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 9 | -0.169 |
| 9 | MI (E) | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 6 | -0.585 |
| 10 | LSG (E) | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 6 | -0.907 |
What PBKS need to qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
The equation is simple for Punjab Kings now.
Traditionally, 16 points has almost always been enough to qualify in a 10-team IPL season. PBKS are currently on 13 points, meaning they need just two wins from their remaining three matches to almost certainly seal a playoff berth. A finish with 17 points or more should comfortably take them through. Only a complete collapse from here can put their qualification in danger.
PBKS qualification chances
| Scenario | Qualification Chances |
|---|---|
| Top 4 finish | Very likely |
| Top 2 finish | Good chance |
| Minimum wins needed | 2 wins out of 3 matches |
Qualification chances after DC match
| PBKS | DC | RR | CSK | GT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62% | 0.1% | 37% | 42% | 76% |
PBKS remaining fixtures in IPL 2026
Punjab still have three games remaining, including a huge clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru which could decide the top-two race.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14 | PBKS vs MI | Dharamsala | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | PBKS vs RCB | Dharamsala | 3:30 PM |
| May 23 | LSG vs PBKS | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
On paper, Punjab would back themselves strongly against struggling teams like MI and LSG. But the RCB game will be fascinating to watch. Also, Punjab would need to adapt to the conditions in Dharamsala quickly. It is their second home ground.
