The IPL 2026 playoff line-up was officially confirmed after Rajasthan Royals produced a commanding 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to secure the final available spot in the top four.
The race for the fourth playoff berth had turned into a three-way battle between Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings heading into the final league fixtures. While defeats for both RR and KKR would have opened the door for Punjab Kings to qualify, Rajasthan ensured there would be no late drama by delivering a dominant all-round performance. Their victory not only sealed their own qualification but also officially knocked both PBKS and KKR out of the tournament.
With the win, Rajasthan Royals completed the IPL 2026 playoff quartet and joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the knockout stage, bringing an end to one of the most intense qualification battles of the season.
The playoffs will begin on May 26 in Dharamsala with Qualifier 1 between table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru and second-placed Gujarat Titans. The winner of the match will directly qualify for the IPL 2026 final, while the losing team will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
The Eliminator will take place on May 27 in Mullanpur, where third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals. The losing side will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner will progress to Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 2 is scheduled for May 29 in Mullanpur and will feature the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of that contest will secure the second spot in the final.
The IPL 2026 final will be played in Ahmedabad on May 31.
Earlier in the evening, Rajasthan Royals produced a brilliant team effort to overcome Mumbai Indians in a must-win encounter. RR posted a competitive 205/8 after a strong finish in the final overs, scoring 73 runs in the last five overs. Jofra Archer played a crucial cameo of 32 runs off just 15 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja added valuable late runs with an unbeaten 19.
In reply, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 175/9 despite a fighting 60 from Suryakumar Yadav and brief contributions from Hardik Pandya and Will Jacks. Archer then starred with the ball as well, delivering a match-winning spell of 3/17 and dismissing Rohit Sharma early to derail Mumbai’s chase.
The emphatic victory ensured Rajasthan Royals booked their place in the playoffs in style while ending the campaigns of Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
