The 70-match league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has officially wrapped up, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying playoffs battle. After nearly two months of relentless cricket, dramatic finishes, individual brilliance, and intense competition, four teams have emerged as genuine title contenders. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will now fight for the ultimate prize in the business end of the tournament.
RCB, GT, and SRH all finished the league phase with 18 points each, making Net Run Rate the deciding factor in determining the top two spots. RCB’s dominant performances in crucial games helped them secure first place, while Gujarat Titans finished second after another remarkably consistent campaign. Sunrisers Hyderabad narrowly missed out on a top-two finish despite playing some of the most explosive cricket of the season. Rajasthan Royals grabbed the final playoff berth with 16 points after a dramatic late surge that culminated in a must-win victory at the Wankhede Stadium.
Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans
This is the heavyweight contest everyone was hoping for. The top two teams of the season will clash in Dharamshala with a direct ticket to the IPL 2026 final at stake. The winner moves straight into the title clash, while the losing side still gets another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
Both teams have looked incredibly complete throughout the season. RCB have combined fearless batting with improved bowling discipline, while GT have once again built their campaign on consistency, tactical awareness, and calm execution under pressure.
The picturesque venue in Dharamshala is expected to provide one of the most fascinating conditions of the playoffs. The pitch traditionally offers pace, bounce, and movement early in the innings, making the powerplay phase extremely important. Fast bowlers who can hit hard lengths are likely to enjoy assistance, especially under evening conditions.
RCB’s aggressive batting unit will look to attack from the start and put Gujarat under pressure before the bowlers settle. Their top order has been one of the most destructive combinations this season, regularly overpowering opposition attacks inside the first six overs. However, Gujarat Titans possess one of the most balanced bowling line-ups in the tournament, with pacers capable of exploiting Dharamshala’s conditions and spinners who can slow the scoring rate during the middle overs.
Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals
Unlike Qualifier 1, there is absolutely no room for error here. The Eliminator is a straight knockout battle — lose and the campaign ends immediately, win and the dream stays alive for another game. With both sides possessing explosive match-winners, this fixture has all the ingredients of a playoff thriller.
SRH enter the contest after playing one of the most attacking brands of cricket this season. Their batting approach has been fearless, with batters constantly looking for boundaries and quick scoring bursts. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have relied more on balance, adaptability, and their ability to squeeze opponents through spin and smart bowling changes.
The venue in New Chandigarh could heavily influence the direction of the game. The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium has larger boundaries compared to several other IPL venues, which may reduce the effectiveness of pure power-hitting and bring bowlers back into the contest.
This condition could particularly suit Rajasthan Royals and their spin-heavy strategy. RR’s slower bowlers have repeatedly controlled middle overs this season by forcing batters into risky shots. Their variations and ability to attack both edges of the bat could become crucial against SRH’s ultra-aggressive batting lineup.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the challenge will be maintaining their attacking intent without losing wickets in clusters. If their top order survives the spin test and capitalizes during the powerplay, they can put RR under immense pressure. However, if Rajasthan’s bowlers manage to slow the scoring rate during the middle overs, SRH may be forced into risky decisions late in the innings.
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Schedule for the IPL 2026 Playoffs
- May 26: Qualifier 1 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | Time: 2:00 PM GMT / 7:30 PM IST
- May 27: Eliminator – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur | Time: 2:00 PM GMT / 7:30 PM IST
- May 29: Qualifier 2 – TBD vs TBD, Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, Mullanpur | Time: 2:00 PM GMT / 7:30 PM IST
- May 31: IPL 2026 Final – TBD vs TBD, Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Time: 2:00 PM GMT / 7:30 PM IST
Broadcast and Live Streaming details
- India: Star Sports; JioHotstar app
- United Kingdom (UK): Sky Sports Cricket; Sky Go, NOW TV
- United States of America (US): Willow TV [Sign up here]
- Australia: Fox Sports, Channel 7; Kayo Sports
- Pakistan: A Sports, Ten Sports; Tapmad, Tamasha app
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV); Rabbithole App
- Nepal and Bhutan: Star Sports; JioHotstar (via India feed)
- Canada: ATN Cricket Plus; ATN Online
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ; Sky Sport Now
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): beIN Sports; beIN CONNECT
- Caribbean: SportsMax
- South Africa: SuperSport; DStv app
- Sri Lanka: SLRC Channel Eye; Dialog TV Go
