RCB vs KKR: How Kolkata Knight Riders can qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs

With just 11 days left in the league stage of the IPL 2026, the playoff race has opened up dramatically. A late revival from Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings means as many as eight teams are still mathematically alive in the race for the final four.

For KKR, the turnaround has been remarkable. The side looked all but out midway through the season after remaining winless for six matches - five defeats and a no result. But four consecutive wins have pulled them back into contention, setting up a tense final stretch where every match is effectively a knockout.

KKR’s playoff equation

KKR currently sit eighth with nine points from 10 games but have one game in hand over several rivals. That gives them a maximum possible tally of 17 points if they win all their four remaining fixtures — a total that could still be enough to secure qualification depending on other results.

Their path, however, remains steep. Statistical projections put KKR’s chances of reaching the playoffs at only 12.8 percent. They even have an outside shot of finishing in the top two, though that possibility stands at a slim 3.6 percent.

The fixtures ahead are demanding: away to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday (May 13), followed by home clashes against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Three of those are at home at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, offering KKR a critical edge.

Watson sees belief returning
KKR assistant coach Shane Watson said the squad has consciously avoided looking too far ahead and is focused solely on the next game.

“To be totally honest, we haven't talked about anything like in the future at all,” Watson said ahead of the clash against RCB.

He pointed to the side’s improvement across departments after a difficult first half.

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“From where we were halfway through the tournament to the cricket that we've been playing over the last couple of games in particular, it's been very impressive to be able to see our group really come together across all facets.”

Watson added that IPL history shows teams can recover from poor starts and still make deep runs, something KKR are drawing confidence from.

For KKR, the equation is simple now: win all four, and the door to the playoffs could still open. One slip, and the revival may end just as suddenly as it began.