Shreyas Iyer Rajat Patidar Riyan Parag Ishan Kishan. Image Credits: AFP/AP
The IPL 2026 tournament is entering its business end as the teams have played more than half of their games and the qualification scenarios for the playoffs are becoming clearer. There are only a handful of matches left for each of the teams, and they are scrambling for a top-four finish.
At the moment, Punjab Kings are at the top of the IPL 2026 points table, with 13 points from 9 games, as they have 6 wins to their name. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at the second spot with 12 points to their name from 9 games.
They are followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals at nos. 3 and 4, respectively. SRH have 12 points to their name, and so does RR, but they differ due to their net run rates.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table
On the other end of the spectrum, Lucknow Super Giants and the Mumbai Indians are the teams at the bottom two of the IPL 2026 points table. The Mumbai Indians are at the no. 9 spot with 2 wins from 9 games and have 4 points to their name.
On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants are at the bottom of the points table. LSG has 2 wins from 8 games and has 4 points to their name. LSG and MI are virtually out of the race for playoffs, with only mathematical possibilities alive for their fans.
Also Read: CSK Player Ruled Out Of IPL 2026 Within 24 Hours After Making Debut
Hanuma Vihari shares his four teams for a top-four finish
Former India cricketer Hanuma Vihari has shared his picks for the top four finish in the IPL 2026 points table. He has chosen Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to finish as nos. 1 and 2 on the points table.
Punjab Kings had been on a winning streak since the IPL 2026 began and only recently suffered two losses. Rajasthan Royals were the first team to defeat PBKS in IPL 2026, while they recently lost to Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have done well as they defend their Indian Premier League title. They have won 6 games from 9 matches played and have 12 points to their name.
Hanuma Vihari throws out SRH and RR, chooses these two teams for the last 2 spots in the playoffs
Coming to the nos. 3 and 4 teams in the IPL 2026 playoffs, Hanuma Vihari decided to throw out Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals and instead has shown his faith in the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.
Chennai Super Kings have done well after losing five games in a row. They currently are in sixth spot with 8 points from 4 wins in 9 games but have found both form and a team combination that works for them. However, injuries have been their kryptonite, and they have had to navigate these issues.
Coming to Gujarat Titans, they are on the 5th spot with 6 wins from 10 games and 12 points to their name. GT have found a way to win matches, despite their style of play being completely different from the likes of PBKS and RCB, who have dominated the opposition.
Also Read: PSL 2026 Team Of The Tournament
