Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been struggling for a win in IPL 2026 and they are winless after six games. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side has only managed 1 point in the season. They were awarded one point after their fixture against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was washed out due to rain. The three-time IPL Champions are reeling in the last position with one point at an NRR of -1.149. They have suffered 5 defeats in six matches. KKR are staring at an early exit from IPL and they could become the first team to get eliminated after a couple of defeats.
Still, everything is not over for KKR and they can qualify for the second round. They have their task cut out and will have to pull off a miracle to make it to playoffs. Here, we have a look at how KKR can qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs –
First things first, KKR need to win the rest of their eight matches. KKR will almost guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs if they register eight back-to-back wins going ahead.
Even seven wins can almost do the job for them. Just two more defeats will mark an end to KKR’s campaign. A look at the past four years’ points table confirms that a team needs to have at least 14 points to make it to the playoffs. But that’s a rare case. A team needs to have at least 16 points for the second round of qualifications.
Since IPL 2022, when the BCCI expanded IPL to a 10-team competition, only once a team with 14 points has made it to the next round. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualified for the playoffs of IPL 2024 with 14 points. But the fifth, sixth and seventh-placed teams also had 14 points. RCB had a better NRR than them.
In IPL 2022, fourth-placed RCB had 16 points. In IPL 2023 and 2025, fourth-placed Mumbai Indians also had 16 points. KKR can end with a maximum of 17 points if they win their next eight games. Interestingly, KKR have the longest winning streak in IPL. They won 10 back-to-back games in IPL 2014-2015. Every game is now a must-win for KKR and just two more defeats can end their campaign in April itself.
KKR’s run in IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders kicked off their IPL 2026 with a defeat against Mumbai Indians after failing to defend a big target of 221. MI chased down the target in the final over of the chase.
KKR suffered a big 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad after failing to chase a target of 227. They were bowled out for 161. KKR were 2 down for 25 runs after 3.4 overs when their game against PBKS was washed out. KKR opted to bat first despite the rain threat.
KKR suffered a three-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants, who chased down the target of 182 on the final delivery of the game. KKR suffered back-to-back defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans in their next two fixtures, respectively. They will face second-placed Rajasthan Royals in their next fixture on April 19.
