The Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs continue on Wednesday evening with the Eliminator match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This do-or-die encounter will bring the curtain down on one team’s campaign immediately, while the winner progresses to Qualifier 2 on Friday where they will face Gujarat Titans for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Both teams arrive at the Eliminator with contrasting recent form. Rajasthan Royals secured their playoff berth with a convincing 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians in the final league match, riding high on the momentum of a late-season surge that saw them win four of their last five matches. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, enter the playoffs after a relatively comfortable passage through the league stage, finishing third on the points table with 16 points from 14 matches.

Head-to-Head Record and Recent Form

In their two league-stage meetings this season, the teams split results with one win apiece. Rajasthan Royals won the first encounter in Jaipur by 18 runs, powered by a century from Sanju Samson, while Sunrisers avenged that defeat in Hyderabad with a clinical seven-wicket victory where their bowling attack restricted RR to a below-par total. The balanced head-to-head record suggests Wednesday’s match could go either way, with conditions in Mullanpur likely to play a decisive role.

The Mullanpur venue has hosted six matches this IPL season, with teams batting first winning four of those six encounters. The average first-innings score at the ground is 177, and the pitch has generally offered assistance to both pace and spin, making it a ground where all-round bowling attacks tend to thrive. The evening dew factor could also play a role in the second innings, potentially making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball effectively during the chase.

Rajasthan Royals — Strengths and Key Players

Rajasthan Royals’ campaign has been anchored by the consistent performances of captain Sanju Samson, who has amassed 467 runs this season at an average of 38.91 and a strike rate of 148.25. Samson’s ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate has been the backbone of the RR batting lineup, and his experience in high-pressure knockout matches could prove invaluable on Wednesday.

The RR bowling attack has been spearheaded by Trent Boult, whose mastery with the new ball in the powerplay has been a key factor in their success. Boult has taken 18 wickets this season at an economy rate of 7.82, and his ability to swing the ball both ways in the early overs has often set the tone for RR’s bowling efforts. Yuzvendra Chahal provides the spin threat in the middle overs, with 16 wickets at a crucial economy rate of 7.41.

The concern for RR heading into the Eliminator is the form of their middle order beyond Samson. Shimron Hetmyer has been inconsistent, and the team has relied heavily on their top order to set up competitive totals. If Samson fails to fire on Wednesday, it remains to be seen whether the middle order can absorb the pressure of a playoff knockout.

Sunrisers Hyderabad — Strengths and Key Players

Sunrisers Hyderabad bring a formidable combination of explosive batting and disciplined bowling to the Eliminator. Their batting lineup, led by the explosive Heinrich Klaasen and the reliable Abhishek Sharma, has posted totals in excess of 180 on multiple occasions this season. Klaasen’s ability to clear boundaries against both pace and spin in the death overs makes him one of the most dangerous finishers in the tournament.

Captain Pat Cummins leads the SRH bowling from the front, with 15 wickets this season at an economy of 8.11. While his economy rate is higher than he would like, Cummins has a knack for taking wickets at crucial moments, particularly in the death overs. The spin duo of Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed has been effective in the middle overs, collectively taking 22 wickets while maintaining tight economy rates.

SRH’s biggest strength heading into this match may be their power hitting depth. With Klaasen, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma all capable of taking the game away from any opposition in a matter of overs, SRH possess the firepower to chase down virtually any target or set up imposing totals if they bat first.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for Mullanpur on Wednesday evening shows clear skies with temperatures hovering around 35 to 37 degrees Celsius at the time of the toss. There is minimal risk of rain interruption, which means both teams should get a full 20-over contest. The temperature is expected to drop to around 30 degrees by the end of the match, and the accompanying dew could be a significant factor in the second innings.

The pitch at Mullanpur has generally been a good batting surface with decent carry and bounce, which should suit both teams’ aggressive batting approaches. However, the ground’s dimensions, particularly the shorter straight boundaries, could favour teams with power hitters who target the longer hitting zone over midwicket and cow corner.

Prediction and Key Battles to Watch

The Eliminator promises to be a fascinating contest between two evenly matched sides. The key individual battle could be Sanju Samson versus Pat Cummins in the powerplay, where the RR captain’s ability to negotiate the new ball movement could set the tone for the innings. Equally crucial will be the duel between Trent Boult and Travis Head, whose aggressive intent against the new ball could either pay rich dividends or lead to an early breakthrough for RR.

The winner of this Eliminator will advance to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, knowing that one more victory would take them to the IPL 2026 final against the rampant Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who romped to a 92-run victory in Qualifier 1. With so much at stake, Wednesday’s match at Mullanpur promises to be an evening of high-octane cricket and intense drama.

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The post IPL 2026 Eliminator Preview — Rajasthan Royals Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur with Season on the Line appeared first on Daily Tips.

Rajasthan Royals booked the fourth and final spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs with a comprehensive 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, 25 May 2026. The result brought the curtain down on the league stage of the tournament, simultaneously eliminating Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings from playoff contention. With this win, Rajasthan Royals will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, while RCB take on GT in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on Monday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Rajasthan posted a formidable 205 for 8 in their 20 overs, anchored by a blistering 78 off 44 balls from opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a quickfire 53 off 31 from captain Sanju Samson. Mumbai Indians, needing an improbable victory by a massive margin to have any mathematical chance of qualification through net run rate, were bowled out for 175 in 19.2 overs, with Jofra Archer returning career-best IPL figures of 4 for 28 from his four overs.

Rajasthan’s Batting Masterclass Sets Up the Win

The Rajasthan innings was defined by intent from the very first ball. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage sensation who has been one of the breakout stars of IPL 2026, launched into the Mumbai bowling from the outset, smashing three sixes in the powerplay to set the tone for the innings. The 17-year-old’s innings included 8 fours and 5 sixes, compiled at a strike rate of 177, before he was dismissed by Deepak Chahar in the 12th over.

Captain Sanju Samson then took over the acceleration duties with characteristic panache. Samson’s 53 off 31 balls featured four sixes, including a massive 104-metre hit off Jasprit Bumrah that landed on the stadium roof and became an instant talking point on social media. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s partnership of 87 with Shimron Hetmyer in just 42 balls effectively put the match beyond Mumbai’s reach.

Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed a steady 34 off 26 balls at the top of the order, adding 62 for the opening wicket with Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan batting lineup demonstrated the depth and firepower that has characterised their best performances this season, with contributions throughout the order ensuring that the total crossed the 200-run barrier that proved decisive in the context of the match.

Archer’s Spell Breaks Mumbai’s Chase

Mumbai Indians needed a strong start to their chase but were rocked early by Jofra Archer, who dismissed Ishan Kishan for 2 in the second over with a vicious short ball that took the glove and was caught by the keeper. Archer’s pace, consistently clocking 148 to 152 kilometres per hour, was too much for the Mumbai top order on a pitch that offered some assistance to the quicker bowlers in the first few overs.

Rohit Sharma’s miserable run in IPL 2026 continued as he was bowled for a duck by Trent Boult in the very first over, the fourth time this season that the former India captain has been dismissed without scoring. The dismissal equalled an unwanted all-time IPL record for the most ducks by a batsman in a single season. The Mumbai dressing room’s body language visibly deflated after Rohit’s early exit, and the chase never truly gained the momentum required against a total of 205.

Hardik Pandya fought valiantly with 61 off 38 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours in an innings that briefly kept Mumbai’s hopes alive. However, Archer’s return spell in the 17th and 18th overs, during which he removed both Pandya and Tim David in the space of three deliveries, effectively ended the contest. Mumbai lost their last five wickets for just 22 runs as Rajasthan’s bowling attack, led by Archer, strangled the lower order.

KKR and PBKS Knocked Out

The result had immediate consequences for other teams in the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders, who had been depending on a Mumbai Indians victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, were officially eliminated. KKR had earlier lost their final league match to Delhi Capitals by 40 runs, finishing with 14 points from 14 matches. Despite an impressive mid-season run that saw them win four consecutive matches, their poor start to the campaign — just two wins from their first seven games — ultimately proved fatal.

Punjab Kings were also eliminated, ending a season that had started with enormous promise after they secured a century from captain Shreyas Iyer in their penultimate match against Lucknow Super Giants. However, their inconsistency across the tournament, particularly in the middle overs, meant that even Iyer’s heroics were not enough to compensate for the points dropped in earlier fixtures.

The Road to the Final

The IPL 2026 playoffs picture is now complete. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who sealed first place after their match against SRH, will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday, 26 May. The winner goes directly to the final, while the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who finished second, will face Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator on Tuesday.

Rajasthan Royals, as the fourth qualifier, will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2. The team’s form heading into the knockouts is encouraging, with three wins from their last four league matches demonstrating that they have peaked at precisely the right time. Archer’s bowling, Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting and Samson’s match-winning ability make them a dangerous proposition for any opponent in the playoffs.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, 1 June at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where one team will lift the IPL trophy for 2026. With the form of players like Virat Kohli for RCB, Shubman Gill for GT, Travis Head for SRH, and now Archer and Sooryavanshi for RR, the knockout stage promises to deliver cricket of the highest quality.

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CSK Innings: Samson and Brevis Set the Tone

Chennai’s innings got off to a rocky start when captain Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 7 off 6 balls, caught trying to force the pace in the powerplay. However, Sanju Samson steadied the ship with a controlled yet aggressive knock. Samson smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes in his 32-ball stay, building partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking at over 9 runs per over.

Young Ayush Mhatre provided useful support before falling at the end of the powerplay with the score on 72 for 2 in 6 overs. It was Dewald Brevis who truly accelerated the innings in the middle overs. The South African all-rounder hit 4 boundaries and 2 sixes during his 29-ball knock of 41, forming a crucial partnership with Samson that took CSK past the 110-run mark by the 12th over.

Sarfaraz Khan contributed a useful 23 off 18 balls, including a pair of sixes that pushed the total past 160 in the 17th over. Shivam Dube added a steady 13 before the CSK lower order ensured the team finished on 192 for 5, a competitive total on a Chennai pitch that offered some turn in the second innings. Kartik Tyagi was the pick of the KKR bowlers with 2 wickets, while Sunil Narine claimed one scalp. The IPL 2026 season continues to deliver dramatic batting displays across venues.

KKR Collapse: Early Wickets Seal the Chase

Kolkata’s reply began disastrously. Khaleel Ahmed struck early for CSK, removing one of KKR’s top-order batsmen with a sharp delivery that nipped back into the stumps. By the end of the 6th over, KKR were already 32 for 2, with the required run rate climbing above 10 runs per over. The pressure proved too much for the middle order.

Sunil Narine provided a brief counterattack, smashing 24 off 17 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes before being caught by Gurjapneet Singh off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling. His dismissal effectively ended any realistic hopes of KKR chasing down the target. The rest of the batting lineup struggled against CSK’s disciplined bowling attack, which mixed pace with spin effectively on a deteriorating surface.

The Chennai bowlers shared wickets throughout the innings, preventing any single KKR batsman from building a substantial partnership. The visitors eventually limped to 160 for 7 in their 20 overs, falling 32 runs short of the target. For fans following the broader sporting action this week, KKR’s struggles added to a growing list of concerns for the franchise.

KKR’s Winless Run Extends in IPL 2026

The defeat continued a deeply troubling run of form for Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR remain without a win in IPL 2026, having now lost multiple matches in succession. Their campaign has been plagued by inconsistent batting, with the top order failing to convert starts into match-winning innings, and a bowling attack that has leaked runs in the death overs across several games.

The previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad saw KKR demolished by 65 runs, and the pattern of early collapses and inability to handle pressure situations has become a recurring theme. Captain and coaching staff face tough questions about team selection, batting order, and bowling strategy as the tournament progresses.

CSK Climb the Points Table

For Chennai Super Kings, the victory was a timely boost. After a mixed start to the campaign, the win over KKR lifted CSK above Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 points table. For the full rivalry breakdown, see our SRH vs MI IPL head-to-head history. The team’s strength lies in its balance, with experienced campaigners like Samson and Dube complementing younger talents such as Mhatre and Brevis. Head coach Stephen Fleming and captain Gaikwad will be pleased with the team’s ability to post competitive totals and defend them under pressure.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has traditionally been a fortress for CSK, and the team’s understanding of the pitch conditions was evident in both their batting approach and bowling tactics. The spin-friendly surface in the second innings played into CSK’s hands, as their spinners were able to extract turn and keep the KKR batsmen guessing throughout the chase.

Key Performances and Player Watch

Sanju Samson’s knock of 48 off 32 balls reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket. His ability to find boundaries during the powerplay and accelerate through the middle overs makes him a crucial cog in CSK’s batting lineup. Dewald Brevis’s all-round contributions with both bat and ball continue to justify his selection, while Khaleel Ahmed’s early wickets with the new ball set the tone for CSK’s bowling effort.

For KKR, Sunil Narine’s brief cameo of 24 off 17 balls was the only real resistance. The franchise will need its senior players to step up significantly if it hopes to salvage its IPL 2026 campaign from this difficult position. With the tournament approaching the halfway stage, every match becomes increasingly important for teams looking to secure playoff berths.

What Comes Next

CSK will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next fixture, while KKR face a must-win situation in virtually every remaining match. The IPL 2026 season has already produced dramatic results, and the coming weeks promise even more excitement as the race for the playoffs intensifies across all 10 franchises. For now, Chennai Super Kings fans have reason to celebrate, while Kolkata Knight Riders supporters are left searching for answers.

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