IPL 2026 Week 7: Bengaluru Clinch Playoffs; Lucknow, Mumbai Eliminated

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The eliminations have begun as we approach the endgame. This week marked the end of the Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians’ chances of making the playoffs, while defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to secure a guaranteed spot in the top four this season. But with seven teams still in contention and just three spots remaining, we have a playoff race for the ages in this IPL season.

On Sunday, May 10, Chennai Super Kings confirmed Lucknow’s fate in the afternoon match of the doubleheader with a five-wicket win. Late arrival Josh Inglis showed Lucknow what they had been missing all season, getting the home side off to a rapid start with 85 off 33 balls. However, after his dismissal, Lucknow’s innings quickly unraveled, with Shahbaz Ahmed alone salvaging the total with an unbeaten 43 to push them to 203/8.

Youngster Urvil Patel unleashed fireworks, scoring the joint-fastest half-century in IPL history in just 13 balls. His knock of 65, along with support from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, helped Chennai comfortably chase the target in the final over, bringing Lucknow’s campaign to a close.

Mumbai joined them later that day following a narrow two-wicket defeat to Bengaluru. Chhattisgarh served as the makeshift home for RCB, making this the first IPL match at the venue since 2016. Mumbai struggled on the slow wicket, and steady innings from Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma helped them post 166/7.

RCB stumbled early to 39/3, with Virat Kohli dismissed for back-to-back ducks. Then came Krunal Pandya, who wreaked havoc against his former team with a gritty 73, taking the game to the wire. Tailenders Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Dar sealed a dramatic win for RCB on the final ball, ending Mumbai’s playoff hopes.

Punjab Kings’ collapse in form continued against Delhi Capitals, as they were beaten by three wickets in picturesque Dharamshala. Fifties from Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer guided Punjab to a respectable 210/5. Arshdeep Singh stood alone in defending the total with an economical 2/21, but half-centuries from Axar Patel and David Miller kept Delhi alive in the playoff race.

On Tuesday, Gujarat Titans hosted the Sunrisers Hyderabad in what promised to be a clash between Hyderabad’s explosive batting and Gujarat’s restrictive bowling. Instead, Hyderabad waved the white flag as Gujarat cruised to an 82-run win.

The Titans posted 168/5, with Sai Sudharsan continuing his remarkable consistency with yet another half-century. Hyderabad looked completely outmatched in the chase, as all five Gujarat bowlers picked up wickets, with Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada leading the way with three apiece. Sunrisers were bundled out for just 86.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ winning streak came to a halt at the hands of RCB, who won by eight wickets. Kolkata posted 192/4 thanks to 71 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and an unbeaten 49 from Rinku Singh.

After consecutive ducks, Kohli responded with a masterclass, fully embracing his “Chase Master” reputation. He almost single-handedly guided RCB to victory with his first century of the season and ninth overall in the IPL, sending Bengaluru to the top of the table.

Mumbai, now out of contention, dealt another blow to Punjab with a six-wicket win on Thursday. Punjab posted 200/8 thanks to a late onslaught from Azmatullah Omarzai. Playing with freedom, Mumbai chased it down comfortably, with Tilak Varma once again starring with an unbeaten 75 off 33 balls.

Lucknow then played spoiler to Chennai on Friday with a convincing seven-wicket win. Chennai scored 187/5, led by 20-year-old Kartik Sharma, widely viewed as a potential successor to MS Dhoni, who made 71.

Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh tore into Chennai’s bowling with a 135-run opening stand in just 70 balls, with Marsh blasting 90 off 38. From there, the chase was straightforward, and for good measure, Nicholas Pooran launched four consecutive sixes to finish the game with more than three overs to spare.

Kolkata bounced back on Saturday, defeating Gujarat by 29 runs. Finn Allen was in full force, finally challenging Gujarat’s usually disciplined bowling attack. The New Zealander replicated the aggression from his blistering 33-ball century against South Africa at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, although he fell short of another hundred, dismissed for 93 off 35.

Raghuvanshi once again displayed maturity and composure with an unbeaten 82, supported by a half-century from Cameron Green as Kolkata piled on 247/2. Gujarat fought hard in response but lacked the firepower needed for such a steep chase. Matters worsened when Sudharsan briefly retired hurt after being struck on the elbow. Captain Shubman Gill made 85 not out, and Sudharsan returned to register another fifty, but Gujarat ultimately finished on 218/4.

RCB officially secured their playoff place with a 23-run win over Punjab Kings, who slumped to a sixth straight defeat on Sunday afternoon in a rematch of the 2025 IPL final. Bengaluru posted an imposing 222/4, with record signing Venkatesh Iyer finally justifying his price tag with 73.

An early collapse left Punjab with too much to do, and a late half-century from Shashank Singh only carried them to 199/8. Punjab now has just one game remaining against Lucknow.

Rajasthan Royals returned later that evening after yet another lengthy break, only to lose again to Delhi Capitals. Vaibhav Suryavanshi once again gave Rajasthan a quick start, but bowlers have begun to capitalize on the 15-year-old’s eagerness to attack, with Madhav Tiwari dismissing him for 46.

Half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag lifted Rajasthan to 193/8 despite a middle-order collapse. A strong start from Abishek Porel and KL Rahul put Delhi in control, before captain Patel and Ashutosh Sharma saw the chase through with five wickets to spare.

Stars of the Week

Angkrish Raghuvanshi- The BCCI recently announced India A’s squad for a tri-series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A, and one notable omission was the 20-year-old Raghuvanshi. 

With 422 runs, five half-centuries, and an average of 42.20, along with even stepping in as a wicketkeeper this season, Raghuvanshi has shown a mature and adaptable mentality well beyond his years. His diverse shot selection and methodical batting approach suggest he deserves to be firmly in India’s pipeline for the next generation.

Sai Sudharsan- Many questioned Sudharsan’s inclusion in India’s Test setup following his Orange Cap-winning 2025 IPL campaign, but there is little debate about his white-ball credentials.

Currently leading the run charts once again with 554 runs at an average of 46.17, including four consecutive half-centuries, Sudharsan has showcased both consistency and grit, even battling through a painful elbow blow against Kolkata to notch yet another fifty. If not in the red-ball format, Sudharsan deserves an opportunity in India’s white-ball setup. His presence would offer a valuable left-handed option, something India is notably lacking as preparations begin for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Upcoming games

Monday, May 18 – Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Tuesday, May 19 – Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Wednesday, May 20 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Thursday, May 21 – Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Friday, May 22 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Saturday, May 23 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)

Sunday, May 24 – Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 3:30 PM IST (6:00 AM EST); Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM EST)