How Gujarat Titans can finish in top two in IPL 2026? All scenarios explained

The IPL 2026 league phase is set for a dramatic finish with multiple top-two qualification scenarios still possible for RCB, GT, SRH and RR. Here's how Gujarat Titans can seal the deal for themselves.

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans have a strong chance of playing in Qualifier 1. Image: Reuters

FirstCricket Staff|May 21, 2026, 14:43:06 IST

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans are set for their last league match on Thursday, taking on Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the 2026 IPL. Gujarat Titans (GT) are currently second in the IPL points table with 16 points from 13 matches and have already qualified for the playoffs.

Nonetheless, finishing in the top two will be their next goal before thinking about the playoffs. The teams finishing in the top two in the IPL points table get two opportunities to qualify for the final.

The top two teams first play against each other in Qualifier 1 for a direct spot in the final and the loser from this game later takes on the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 for the second direct spot in the summit clash.

How GT can play in Qualifier 1?

With the playoff format now clear, let's look at what it will take for GT to finish in the top two.

For starters, GT must win their match vs CSK and reach 18 points. But that may not be enough as Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are third with 16 points, can also reach the same tally.

Interestingly, SRH's match is on Friday against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are currently the leaders with 18 points.

So here are all the scenarios through which GT can play in Qualifier 1:

-- If both RCB and GT win their remaining matches, the two sides will face off in Qualifier 1.

-- If RCB and CSK emerge victorious, RCB will climb to 20 points and seal the top spot in the league stage. The race for second place would then depend on NRR between GT and SRH — and potentially RR too, if they defeat MI. At present, GT hold roughly a 13-run NRR advantage over SRH.

-- If SRH and GT both register wins, the table could see a three-way tie at 18 points. In that scenario, RCB would need to lose to SRH by at least 87 runs, followed by GT beating CSK by approximately 76 runs, for Bengaluru to slip out of the top two.

-- If SRH and CSK win their respective fixtures, RCB and SRH will occupy the top two spots with 18 points each.

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