Lucknow Super Giants dented Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 playoffs hopes with a dominant win on Friday. For CSK fans, LSG peaked at the wrong time, crashing their direct route to the playoffs in Lucknow. Ruturaj Gaikwad's side still remain in contention for the top four finish, but now they need a huge favour from their biggest rivals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
CSK finished the 2025 season at the bottom of the points table and started the 2026 campaign with three defeats. Despite several injury issues, the five-time champions made a strong comeback, winning six of their next games, but their run was halted by the already-eliminated LSG.
Before the LSG game, Chennai had 12 points from 11 games and a strong net run rate, and were firmly in control of their own playoff destiny. But after a huge defeat to Lucknow, the Super Kings can now only reach 16 points and will require assistance from other teams to make the IPL 2026 playoffs.
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CSK's schedule and IPL 2026 playoffs scenarios
Chennai Super Kings are set to play their remaining two group-stage matches against the in-form Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. CSK next face SRH at home on May 18 and then travel to Ahmedabad to take on GT on May 21.
Both GT and SRH are enjoying a strong run of form and are on the verge of securing the IPL 2026 playoffs berths. Gujarat and Bengaluru are all but confirmed to finish in the top two with 16 points in 12 games, but CSK can crash Hyderabad's party with a big win on May 18.
If Chennai win their remaining two games, they will reach 16 points with a positive net run rate, but it will not be enough to secure a playoff spot.
PBKS can reach 17 points and both SRH and RR can score 16 points if they win their remaining games. These three teams do not face each other and have comparatively higher net run rates than Chennai. However, one team can help CSK overcome this tricky situation: the defending champions, RCB.
How do RCB hold the key to CSK's IPL 2026 playoffs hopes?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are a point away from securing the IPL 2026 playoffs berth and two points away from the Qualifier 1 spot.
With eight wins in 12 games and a superior net run rate, RCB sit at the top of the points table, on level with GT. RCB next face Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on May 17 and are set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22.
CSK will be more than grateful if the defending champions halt PBKS and SRH's playoff push. SRH will be out of the playoff race if they lose their remaining two games against CSK and RCB.
Punjab Kings' last game is scheduled against LSG on May 23, after RCB and CSK's remaining two group-stage matches. However, if CSK win their remaining two matches and PBKS lose their next game against RCB, then Ruturaj Gaikwad's side will automatically qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs, regardless of the net run rate equation.
So, all CSK need to do is win their remaining two matches and hope RCB defeat PBKS and SRH in their last two games.
Also read: KKR must defeat the formidable Gujarat Titans to keep their slim IPL 2026 Playoff hopes flickering
