Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will lock horns in the IPL 2026 Eliminator tonight at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. With a place in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans at stake, weather conditions could play a crucial role in this high-pressure clash.
The weather in New Chandigarh has remained extremely hot and humid throughout the day, with temperatures crossing the 40-degree Celsius mark. Although there is no threat of rain, the intense heat is expected to test both players and fans during the knockout encounter.
Even during the evening hours, there is unlikely to be much relief from the heat. The temperature is expected to stay close to 35 degrees Celsius until late into the night, making conditions physically demanding for players involved in a must-win contest.
The good news for fans is that there is almost no chance of rain interrupting the SRH vs RR Eliminator. The match is expected to proceed without any weather-related delays or interruptions.
There is also no reserve day for the Eliminator. If the match is washed out for any reason, Sunrisers Hyderabad will automatically qualify for Qualifier 2 because they finished third on the IPL 2026 points table, ahead of Rajasthan Royals, who finished fourth.
The pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is generally considered balanced, offering decent pace and bounce. While fast bowlers can get some assistance early on, the surface usually becomes better for batting once players settle in. The average first-innings score at the venue has been around 183 runs.
The weather over the last few days in New Chandigarh has remained unusually hot for this time of the year. While rain is not expected to play any part, the extreme heat and humidity could influence team strategies, fitness levels, and even toss decisions during this crucial playoff clash.
