The IPL 2026 playoffs shift to New Chandigarh for a high-pressure Eliminator clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). With a place in the next round on the line, both teams will look to quickly adapt to the conditions at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The venue has produced competitive matches throughout the season, offering assistance to both batters and bowlers at different phases of the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad head into the playoffs after finishing third in the league stage, powered by one of the most destructive batting units of the season. The explosive trio of Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma has repeatedly dismantled bowling attacks, while their bowling attack, including Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga, has emerged as a key breakthrough bowler during crucial moments of the campaign.
On the other side, Rajasthan Royals sealed their playoff berth at the very last match after a win over Mumbai Indians (MI), with Jofra Archer’s dominant all-round performance with both bat and ball. RR’s campaign has also been boosted by youngsters Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who have impressed with fearless performances throughout the season. There is now growing excitement around Suryavanshi potentially challenging Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for most sixes in a single season.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh has generally been a balanced surface in IPL 2026. Fast bowlers tend to get good carry and movement with the new ball, especially during the powerplay overs, thanks to the fresh surface and even bounce.
As the game progresses, the pitch usually slows down slightly, bringing spinners and cutters into play during the middle overs. Batters who settle in early often enjoy success later in the innings, particularly against the older ball. The venue has also witnessed several competitive totals this season, with scores in the range of 190-200 proving challenging but achievable. Dew in the second innings could make bowling difficult later in the match, which is why teams winning the toss are expected to prefer chasing.
New Chandigarh Weather Forecast
Weather conditions in New Chandigarh are expected to remain clear for the Eliminator clash between SRH and RR. According to the forecast, the temperature is likely to stay around 43.3°C during the day with hazy sunshine dominating the evening conditions.
Humidity levels are expected to remain very low at around 10%, while there is virtually 0% chance of rain, ensuring a full match without weather interruptions. Light conditions and dry weather could initially help seamers generate movement, but dew later in the evening may assist batters during the chase.
