Times of India: Rajasthan Royals pegged 68.8% to reach IPL playoffs after Jaipur win

Rajasthan Royals moved into the strongest position for the last IPL 2026 playoff place after their seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur, according to a Times of India scenarios update published May 20. The report put Rajasthan’s qualification probability at 68.8% with six league matches left at that point in the regular season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already qualified, leaving one berth open. Kolkata Knight Riders’ win over Mumbai Indians on May 20 kept the race open for at least another day. ESPNcricinfo said on May 21 that, with five matches left, four teams still had a realistic chance of taking the final spot and that the last qualifier might not be known until May 24. ### How did Rajasthan Royals move into pole position? (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Times of India said, a result that pushed them to the front of the playoff race. The paper said the win sharply improved Rajasthan’s position in the probabilities table it published on May 20. (espncricinfo.com) The Times of India said Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians were already out of contention by then, while Bengaluru, Gujarat and Hyderabad had sealed qualification. That left Rajasthan competing for the last place with a shrinking pool of rivals. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ### What does the 68.8% figure actually refer to? The 68.8% number was the Times of India’s projected chance of Rajasthan Royals qualifying for the playoffs as of its May 20 update. The same report framed Rajasthan as the leading candidate for the last available berth rather than a team already through. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ESPNcricinfo described the table in similar terms, saying Rajasthan “control their destiny,” while Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders needed results elsewhere to go their way. That description reflected the standings at the time of its May 20 scenarios piece. ### Which teams are still alive for the final place? (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ESPNcricinfo said on May 21 that Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings remained in the fight for one playoff place. Its updated scenarios piece came after Kolkata’s win over Mumbai reduced the number of remaining league games from six to five. (espncricinfo.com) Firstpost also said on May 21 that Kolkata had kept its qualification hopes alive by beating Mumbai, but added that Rajasthan still remained favorites for the top four and Punjab Kings were still in contention. ### Why did the number of matches left change from six to five? The Times of India article was updated on May 20 and counted six matches remaining in the league stage at that moment. (espncricinfo.com) Later results changed the arithmetic. (firstpost.com) ESPNcricinfo’s May 21 update said five matches were left after Kolkata’s victory over Mumbai on May 20. That is why reports published hours apart describe the same race with slightly different remaining-match totals. ### When will the playoff picture be settled? May 24 is the date ESPNcricinfo identified as the possible last day of uncertainty for the final playoff place. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Its May 21 scenarios report said the way the table had developed meant the last qualifier could be known only on the final day of the league stage. Yahoo Sports said the IPL 2026 playoffs will be held in Dharamsala and New Chandigarh, with the final in Ahmedabad on May 31. (espncricinfo.com) The immediate next step, though, is the remaining league schedule that will decide whether Rajasthan converts its edge into qualification or one of the chasing teams overtakes it. (sports.yahoo.com)