Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gaining momentum at the right time in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. In the most recent match, RCB chased down a daunting 206-run target to defeat Gujarat Titans by five wickets with seven balls to spare on April 24.
Earlier, Sai Sudharsan had lit up the innings with a brilliant century (100 off 58), helping GT post 205. However, RCB’s strong batting lineup proved too good on the night.
With this victory, RCB now have 10 points from 7 matches and are placed at the 2nd position on the IPL 2026 points table.
How can RCB qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs?
RCB's playoff chances are now firmly in their own hands. With 7 matches still to play, they need to maintain their winning momentum.
If RCB win 4 more matches, they will reach 18 points, which almost guarantees a playoff spot.
Winning 3 matches (ending with 16 points) could still be enough.
If they perform exceptionally well and win 6 or 7 matches, they could reach 20 points, giving them a strong chance to finish in the top two.
However, the margin for error still exists. If RCB win only 2 matches or fewer, qualification will become difficult and dependent on other teams’ results. Losing all remaining games would completely end their IPL 2026 playoff hopes.
IPL 2026 Playoff Rules Explained Simply
The IPL features 10 teams, each playing 14 league matches. The points system is simple:
Win = 2 points
No result = 1 point
Loss = 0 points
At the end of the league stage, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. If teams are tied on points, the ranking is decided by: number of wins, NRR, wickets taken, and, if still tied, a random draw.
Historically, 18 or 16 points almost always ensure qualification, while it is important to mention that in IPL history, with 14 points (in a 10-team format), only once has a team qualified, which is RCB in 2024.
RCB's remaining games of IPL 2026
It is important to note that RCB will play their next match against Delhi Capitals on April 27 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Notably, RCB will play their remaining home games in Raipur.
In Raipur, the defending champions will face Mumbai Indians on May 10, followed by KKR on May 13.
Date
Opponent
Venue
April 27
Delhi Capitals
Arun Jaitley Stadium
April 30
Gujarat Titans
Narendra Modi Stadium
May 7
Lucknow Super Giants
Ekana Stadium
May 10
Mumbai Indians
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur
May 13
Kolkata Knight Riders
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur
May 17
Punjab Kings
HPCA Stadium
May 22
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
RCB's top-performers in IPL 2026 so far
RCB’s success this season has been driven by consistent performances. Virat Kohli is currently the leading run-scorer for RCB with 328 runs in 7 matches, at an average of 54.66 and a strike-rate of 163.18. Captain Rajat Patidar has scored 238 runs at a strike rate of 210.61
Devdutt Padikkal has added firepower in the middle order for RCB with 208 runs at a strike rate of 184.07 in IPL 2026 so far.
In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been outstanding, picking up 11 wickets.
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RCB team in IPL 2025 (Source: AFP).jpg?type=mq "Pakistan player moves to England!")
