IPL 2026 playoff race ends with RR taking the remaining spot; check knockout fixtures and timings

Rajasthan Royals sealed the final playoff spot of IPL 2026 after beating Mumbai Indians by 30 runs in a crucial league match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. With this result, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the tournament, while RR joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.

Jofra Archer played a major role in Rajasthan’s victory with a brilliant all-round performance. The England pacer first smashed 32 runs from just 15 balls to help RR post a strong total of 205/8 in 20 overs after a middle-order collapse. He then returned with the ball and picked up three important wickets while giving away only 17 runs in his four overs.

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Apart from Archer, Dhruv Jurel scored 38 runs, while Yashasvi Jaiswal added 27 at the top. Dasun Shanaka also chipped in with a useful 28 runs during the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Nandre Burger then provided the finishing touch. For Mumbai Indians, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur took two wickets each.

Chasing 206, Mumbai Indians lost wickets at regular intervals despite a fighting effort from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Suryakumar scored 60 runs and built important partnerships with Will Jacks and Hardik to keep MI in the game. Hardik also played an attacking knock of 34 runs from just 16 balls, but the target proved too difficult in the end.

IPL 2026 playoffs: Fixtures and timings

With the playoff race now over, the knockout fixtures have been confirmed. Rajasthan Royals will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator at New Chandigarh on May 27. Before that, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala on May 26 in a top of the table clash.