Rajasthan Royals Secure IPL 2026 Playoff Spot After Victory Over Mumbai Indians
Rajasthan Royals Clinch Playoff Berth
On Sunday, May 24, Rajasthan Royals (RR) achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fourth team to qualify for the playoffs of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). They secured their spot by defeating the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league match held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Under the leadership of Riyan Parag, the Royals concluded the season with 16 points from 14 matches, surpassing both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to claim the final playoff position. They now join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the playoffs. RCB, GT, and SRH all finished with 18 points, but RCB topped the table due to the best Net Run Rate (NRR). The Titans secured the second position, while SRH narrowly missed out on a top-two finish.
IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule
IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule
| Match | Teams | Date | Day | Time | Venue |
| Qualifier 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans | 26th May, 2026 | Tuesday | 7:30 PM IST | Dharamshala |
| Eliminator | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | 27th May 2026 | Wednesday | 7:30 PM IST | New Chandigarh |
| Qualifier 2 | Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator | 29th May 2026 | Friday | 7:30 PM IST | New Chandigarh |
| Final | Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 | 31st May 2026 | Sunday | 7:30 PM IST | Ahmedabad |
Chasing a Second IPL Title
Second IPL Trophy On Cards
The Royals' advancement to the playoffs guarantees that a new champion will emerge this year, with the final scheduled for May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Each of the four playoff teams has previously won the IPL trophy once. RCB, who claimed their first title last year, aims to become the third team to successfully defend their championship, following in the footsteps of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. The Titans, led by Hardik Pandya, won the trophy in 2022, while SRH triumphed in 2016 against RCB in the final. The Royals were the inaugural champions in 2008.