Which 4 teams are favourites to qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs?
The top four teams in the points table will make it to the playoffs in IPL 2026.
The race for the Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs is intense, with all teams putting in their best efforts to secure a spot in the top four of the points table. A total of 10 teams are part of IPL 2026.
As per the format, the top four teams in the points table after the league stage will qualify for the playoffs. The remaining six teams will be eliminated from the tournament.
A few teams have won an equal number of matches so far and are in close competition for the playoffs. It looks like a few teams might be evicted based on their Net Run Rate (NRR) in the end. Below, we take a look at four teams that are favourites to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Teams who are favourites to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs-
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The defending champions have replicated their impressive form from the last season and are currently at the top of the points table in IPL 2026.
With seven wins across 11 games, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have 14 points in their kitty. Rajat Patidar & Co. have looked balanced in both batting and bowling and outplayed opponents with their brilliant teamwork.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad looked weak in the initial stage, but have turned into one of the strongest sides. With seven victories in 11 games, they have 14 points. SRH are just behind RCB in the second spot on the points table.
The Pat Cummins & Co. comprises a dominating batting unit with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen. However, their bowling department is a bit weak; their batting can give them an edge against other teams.
3. Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans struggled to win games at the start, but have shown brilliant form recently. After winning four consecutive games, Shubman Gill & Co. have jumped to the third spot in the points table with 14 points.
The biggest advantage for GT is that they have a balanced unit in both departments. Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler form a brilliant batting unit, while Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan constitute a powerful bowling combination.
4. Punjab Kings
Shreyas Iyer and Co. made a great start to IPL 2026, winning the first six matches in a row. Recently, they suffered a big setback after losing four consecutive games. However, they still look like one of the favourites to make it to the playoffs.
With in-form batters like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, and Shreyas Iyer, the Punjab Kings have a strong batting unit. Their bowlers need to pull their socks up in the upcoming games.
Who take the top spot in the IPL 2026 points table?
RCB take the top spot in the IPL 2026 points table with 14 points.
Who are the defending champions of IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions of the tournament.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.