IPL 2026 Top 2 Race: PBKS, RCB, SRH and RR Remaining Fixtures Analysed
Four teams. Two spots. The race for the top two positions in IPL 2026 is properly on now, and the next few weeks are going to be brutal. Punjab Kings sit at the top with a cushion, but nothing is safe yet. RCB, SRH and RR are all locked on 10 points and separated only by NRR. Every game from here counts double.
IPL 2026 Points Table: Top 4 Right Now
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | +1.333 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | +1.101 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | +0.815 |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | +0.602 |
Check the live IPL 2026 points table for the latest standings as results come in.
PBKS are the only side that have breathing room. Three points clear and a game in hand over SRH and RR. But with six matches still to play, and a schedule that includes SRH and RCB directly, it is far from over.
Remaining Fixtures for Each Top 2 Contender
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 6 Matches Left
PBKS still have six games to play, the most of any top-four side.
Remaining: GT, SRH, DC, MI, RCB, LSG
The schedule is decent on paper. GT, DC, MI and LSG are all mid-to-bottom table sides that Punjab should be beating. The tricky ones are SRH and RCB, which are direct top-two rivals. A 4-2 run from these six should be more than enough to seal the top spot. Even 3-3 likely keeps them in the top two given their NRR advantage.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – 5 Matches Left
RCB have five games left and are second on NRR. A strong finish keeps them in the direct qualifier position.
Remaining: LSG, MI, KKR, PBKS, SRH
LSG, MI and KKR are all sides struggling at the bottom half of the table. That is three winnable games right there. The PBKS and SRH clashes are the real tests and those two fixtures will likely decide whether RCB finish in the top two or have to settle for third or fourth.
RCB also play PBKS vs RCB and RCB vs SRH in their final two games. Both of those are massive. Win both and RCB almost certainly finish top two. Lose both and it could get nervy.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – 5 Matches Left
SRH are flying right now. Five-match winning streak, dangerous batting lineup, and Pat Cummins leading them well.
Remaining: KKR, PBKS, GT, CSK, RCB
The full SRH squad and fixtures make for interesting reading. KKR and GT are manageable. CSK have struggled this season. PBKS and RCB are the two direct clashes that could define their campaign. SRH are playing their best cricket right now and will fancy their chances in all five games.
The concern for SRH is their NRR. While +0.815 is healthy, they are behind RCB on that metric. Tight wins from here do not help the NRR battle if it comes down to that.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – 5 Matches Left
RR are in the most awkward position. Same points as RCB and SRH, lowest NRR of the three, and a fixture list that has no truly easy matchups.
Remaining: DC, GT, DC, LSG, MI
Interestingly, RR play DC twice in their remaining games. On paper that looks soft, but DC have been inconsistent and dangerous on their day. GT and MI are also not pushovers. The positive for RR is they do not face any direct top-two rivals in their remaining matches. Win all five and they are almost certainly guaranteed a top-two finish. Win four and they are in the conversation. Win three or fewer and they are likely settling for third or fourth at best.
The NRR gap to RCB is just 0.499. RR cannot afford to keep winning close games. They need to start winning by bigger margins to stay relevant in the NRR race if it tightens.
Head-to-Head Clashes That Will Decide the Top 2
| Match | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| SRH vs PBKS | Both top-two contenders; direct 4-point swing |
| RCB vs PBKS | One of the last games; could be a top-2 decider |
| RCB vs SRH | Final week clash; NRR battle on top of points |
| PBKS vs RCB | Head-to-head in the run-in |
Check the IPL 2026 full schedule to plan which of these clashes to watch live.
Who Has the Best Shot at Top 2?
PBKS are the favourites. Three points clear with a game in hand and the best NRR in the competition. Even a modest run-in secures them top spot.
RCB have the second-best NRR and five games left with three of them against struggling sides. They are in control of their own destiny.
SRH are the dark horse. Current form is unmatched in the competition. If their winning run continues through the PBKS and RCB fixtures, they could leapfrog anyone.
RR need a perfect run. Win all five and the NRR needs to improve significantly. Any slip and they risk dropping outside the top two entirely, even if they hold onto top four.
For live coverage of every remaining match, keep tabs on the IPL 2026 live streaming guide so you do not miss a single fixture in this run-in.
FAQs
Who is currently leading the IPL 2026 points table?
Punjab Kings are at the top with 13 points from 7 matches, including 6 wins and 1 no result.
Which teams are in the race for the IPL 2026 Top 2?
PBKS, RCB, SRH and RR are the four teams fighting for the top two direct qualifier spots as of May 1, 2026.
How many matches does each team have left in IPL 2026?
PBKS have 6 remaining, while RCB, SRH and RR each have 5 games left to play.
Does Rajasthan Royals play any top-four teams in their remaining fixtures?
No. RR’s remaining fixtures are against DC (twice), GT, LSG and MI, giving them a chance to win all five without facing direct rivals.
Which direct clash will have the biggest impact on the Top 2 race?
The RCB vs SRH and PBKS vs RCB clashes in the final stretch are likely to be the biggest deciders for the top two spots.
What happens if teams are level on points at the end of the league stage?
Teams level on points are separated by NRR (Net Run Rate). That is why winning by big margins matters just as much as winning at all in this run-in.
