PBKS qualification scenarios [Source: AP]Dropped catches and missed chances were once again at the forefront of the Punjab Kings’ third successive loss in IPL 2026, after they had taken an early lead in the season with 6 wins in 7 matches.The 33-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad means the Orange Army have climbed to number 1, and PBKS have dropped to number two on the points table for a long time. If the Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat the Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday night, PBKS could further slip to number 3.Bowling first in Hyderabad, the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit could have been in a prime position to clinch the match had they not missed the chances on the field. Courtesy of another sloppy performance in the field, SRH scored a formidable 235/4 in 20 overs against them. The chase was dented early on after a 3-wicket powerplay, where they could score 57/3. Despite a valiant 107* (59) from Cooper Connolly and cameos from Suryansh Shedge and Marcus Stoinis, they fell short of the target, and the net run-rate took a jolt as well. As they look to bounce back and qualify for the playoffs, we explore the scenarios for their top-4 finish. How can Punjab Kings qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs? Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, the Punjab Kings have significantly improved and found consistency since IPL 2025. Out of the last 28 matches, they have only lost 9, which includes three on the trot this season. Despite the recent defeats, they find themselves in a strong position to secure a top-4 finish. Currently at 13 points from 10 matches, they trail the playoff cutoff (16 points) by just three points, which means two wins in the last four league matches would be enough to book the flight to the playoffs. However, after 6 wins in 7 matches, they were the frontrunners to finish top-2, i.e., play Qualifier 1, similar to the last season, when they finished 1st. Hence, they would want to finish in this position once again. So, while two wins would do the job, they will need to win all four or at least three of the four to play Qualifier 1. Also Read: Why Is Shashank Singh Dropping So Many Catches In IPL 2026? Decoding The ReasonsWhat are the Punjab Kings’ remaining games of IPL 2026? Following the loss in Hyderabad, the Kings have four league matches remaining, including one against RCB, which could turn out to be a four-pointer for the top-2 spots. Other than the RCB clash, they will face the Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants — all of them struggling for momentum. PBKS IPL 2026 schedule Match no.SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTeamSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDate & Time (IST)SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableVenueSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table55SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDCSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMay 11, 7:30 PMSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDharamsalaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table58SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMISelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMay 14, 7:30 PMSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDharamsalaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table61SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRCBSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMay 17, 3:30 PMSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDharamsalaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table68SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableLSGSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMay 23, 7:30 PMSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableLucknowSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Punjab Kings' remaining fixtures in IPL 2026)Punjab Kings' top performers in IPL 2026Having played 10 of their 14 games, centurion from the SRH game, Cooper Connolly has become their highest run-scorer in IPL 2026, with 377 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 171.36. He is closely followed by Prabhsimran Singh (364 runs, SR 172.51, four fifties) and Shreyas Iyer (333 runs, SR 164.03, four fifties). On the bowling front, things have been a bit bleak for the Punjab-based team. Senior pacer, Arshdeep Singh has picked 11 wickets in 10 innings at an economy rate of 10.42, followed by Vijaykumar Vyshak’s 9 wickets at 10.85 runs per over. Yuzvendra Chahal has also bowled brilliantly throughout the season but has been unlucky with the dropped catches. He sits on 8 wickets at an economy rate of 9.53 runs per over.Also Read: SRH Qualification Scenario For IPL 2026 Playoffs After Win Vs PBKS
