IPL 2026 playoff: CSK’s victory gave sleepless nights to three teams, now the fight for the playoffs will begin, the whole equation has changed.

New Delhi: Five-time champion Chennai Super Kings, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, has made a tremendous comeback in IPL 2026. CSK, which suffered consecutive defeats in the initial matches, has now kept its hopes alive for the playoffs with 5 wins in the league stage. CSK has played a total of 10 matches in the tournament so far and has 10 points. CSK still has 4 more matches to play in the league stage, due to which it has a chance to reach 18 points. To reach the playoffs, CSK will need at least 16 points. In such a situation, if the team wins even 3 of the remaining matches, then it will reach the playoffs.

With this tremendous comeback of CSK, the tension of the top three teams has also increased. CSK is currently at sixth position with 10 points. Ahead of CSK are Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. These three teams have also played 10-10 matches, in which they have 12-12 points. Defending champion RCB also has 12 points, but has played only 9 matches so far. Apart from this, Punjab Kings are at the top with 13 points in 9 matches. In such a situation, if the top four teams lose momentum from here, then CSK will have a better chance to make it to the last four, but for that the team will have to win almost all the matches.

With whom is CSK competing now?

CSK still has to face four matches in IPL 2026. This clash of CSK is with RCB, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Supergiants. The team has to play 2 matches with Lucknow. Out of these four, CSK has the strongest chances of winning both the matches against Lucknow, because this team is going through poor form. In such a situation, the team will have to give its full strength in the match against RCB and Gujarat. At the same time, CSK has returned to its rhythm, due to which the tension of the top teams has increased.

The path to playoffs is difficult for the bottom 4 teams.

The path has become difficult for the bottom 4 teams in the playoffs. Currently, Lucknow team is at the bottom in the points table. Lucknow has been able to win only 2 out of its 9 matches played so far. To reach the playoffs, the team will have to win all its matches from here. Apart from this, the hopes of reaching the playoffs for Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are almost over.