The final week of the IPL league stage runs from 18-24 May and brings eight matches that will shape the playoff picture. Only one team has already secured a place in the postseason, while two sides have been knocked out, leaving seven teams still fighting for a top-four finish.
The week begins with Chennai Super Kings hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday at 7:30 PM IST. It will be CSK’s last home league game, and the result matters for both teams as they remain in the playoff discussion.
Key matches in a packed week
Rajasthan Royals face Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur on Tuesday at 7:30 PM IST, with RR looking to recover after three straight defeats. On Wednesday, Kolkata Knight Riders meet Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens, also at 7:30 PM IST, in another game that carries weight for a side trying to stay alive in the race.
The action continues on Thursday as Chennai Super Kings travel to Ahmedabad to take on Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM IST. Gujarat are described as almost qualified, which adds more pressure on CSK as the week moves deeper into the business end of the tournament.
Weekend fixtures that could decide the table
Sunrisers Hyderabad host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Hyderabad on Friday at 7:30 PM IST, with RCB the only team already confirmed in the playoffs. On Saturday, Punjab Kings play Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow at 7:30 PM IST after six consecutive defeats, making the contest a difficult one for Punjab.
Sunday closes the league stage with a double-header. Mumbai Indians host Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium at 3:30 PM IST, before Kolkata Knight Riders take on Delhi Capitals in the season’s final league match at Eden Gardens at 7:30 PM IST.
IPL 2026 schedule this week (18-24 May)
| Date | Day | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | Monday | Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| May 19 | Tuesday | Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
| May 20 | Wednesday | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| May 21 | Thursday | Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| May 22 | Friday | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| May 23 | Saturday | Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| May 24 | Sunday | Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals | 3:30 PM | Mumbai |
| May 24 | Sunday | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
With just eight league matches left, every result in this window can change the path to the playoffs. The week ends with the final league fixture at Eden Gardens, where the last points on offer will help decide which teams stay in contention and which ones fall short.
Read more at: sports.yahoo.com
