RCB will lock horns with GT in Qualifier 1, SRH meet RR in Eliminator
The Qualifier 1 will be played in Dharamsala, while Eliminator will take place in New Chandigarh
RR beat MI by 30 runs to become the last team to qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs
IPL 2026 Playoffs Guide: Bengaluru And Gujarat Get Qualifier Cushion While Sunrisers Meet Royals In Do-Or-Die Affair
RCB face stern GT test in Qualifier 1, while SRH take on RR in Eliminator as IPL 2026 enters its playoff phase starting from May 26 (Tuesday) in Dharamsala
Summary
The last day of the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 lived up to the expectations as it took an eventful match between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) to decide the final four of this edition.
The day, however, began with three teams in contention for the one available spot: Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and RR. A Sunday double header, nonetheless, the equation was clear.
Pre-game Scenarios
An RR win over MI guarantees the final IPL 2026 playoff spot for the inaugural champions;
If RR lose, they are eliminated with 14 points from 14, and open the doors to PBKS and KKR;
PBKS (15 points from 14) must hope that Delhi Capitals beat KKR (13 from 13);
For KKR, a must-win game again to tie with PBKS on points and force Net Run Rate tiebreaker.
As it turned out, RR defeated MI by 30 runs to leave the KKR vs DC match inconsequential, and joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the playoffs.
IPL 2026 Points Table After Match 70
| Position | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
| 1 | RCB (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0.783 |
| 2 | GT (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0.695 |
| 3 | SRH (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0.524 |
| 4 | RR (Q) | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 0.189 |
| 5 | PBKS (E) | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 0.309 |
| 6 | DC (E) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | -0.651 |
| 7 | KKR (E) | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 13 | -0.147 |
| 8 | CSK (E) | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 12 | -0.345 |
| 9 | MI (E) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -0.584 |
| 10 | LSG (E) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -0.74 |
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
Qualifier 1: Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Dharamsala, May 26
Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals - New Chandigarh, May 27
Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator - New Chandigarh, May 29
Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 - Ahmedabad, May 31
IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: GT Vs RCB
Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished at the top two with 18 points a piece, separated only by NRR, which earned them the right of having two shots at the final, if they falter.
RCB, the defending champions, are playing like a well-oiled unit with no stark loopholes; on the other hand, GT have a stellar bowling line-up, along with a reliable top three.
With the kind of form both teams are in and the high stakes of the match, it is expected to be a thriller in Dharamsala on Tuesday, May 26.
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IPL 2026 Eliminator: SRH Vs RR
Despite finishing with the same points as RCB and GT in the league stage, SRH remained in the third spot based on NRR. It'll be a battle of top-order batting as both teams consist of heavyweights in their top three.
There is not much to separate the two teams as they have their own strong points and shortcomings. While SRH batting is in form, on the bowling front, they lack bite apart from Pat Cummins, whereas for RR, their middle-order hasn't instilled much confidence through the tournament, including their skipper, Riyan Parag.
Both teams are evenly matched, and it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in New Chandigarh on Wednesday, May 27.
The winners, then face the losers of Qualifier 1 for a place in the final.
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