KKR, PBKS Out Of IPL 2026 As Rajasthan Royals Crush Mumbai Indians To Book Final Playoffs Spot

RR reach IPL 2026 playoffs [Source: AFP]

On Sunday, the IPL 2026 had a double header day, with the Mumbai Indians taking on the Rajasthan Royals, and the Kolkata Knight Riders battling the Delhi Capitals. Everyone had their eyes set on the afternoon game between MI and RR, and the contest lived up to the hype, and it also decided the last playoff spot.

Heading into the final day, both RR and KKR had a chance to seal the final playoff place, and unlike the Knight Riders, Rajasthan had a simpler task: win the match, and reach the playoffs.

The Riyan Parag-led side eventually achieved their goal, and they also gave heartbreak to the KKR, and PBKS supporters, as the Royals managed to sneak into the knockouts, with KKR and the Punjab Kings going out.

RR reach IPL 2026 playoffs, KKR, PBKS crash out

The Punjab Kings defeated the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday to keep their IPL playoffs hopes alive. However, even after the win, the side had reached a maximum of 15 points. This made RR’s equation easy as they just had to defeat the Mumbai Indians team to reach the knockouts.

A defeat for RR would have made things interesting and would have given KKR an outside chance to seal the last playoff spot, as they had to chase down the total set by DC inside 12 overs.

However, with the victory over the Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan surpassed Punjab Kings in the points tally and reached 16 points. On the other hand, even if KKR beat DC in the last league stage game, the Knight Riders would only reach 15 points.

Thus, RR’s victory has taken them to the playoffs, as they join RCB, GT, and SRH, and on the other hand, PBKS and KKR crash out.

IPL 2026 playoff schedule after RR's win

The talented Rajasthan Royals team has secured the last playoff spot, and they’ll play in the Eliminator against the rampant Sunrisers Hyderabad side. Here is the full playoff schedule.

• Finishing in top two gives teams an added advantage, as even if they lose the Qualifier 1, they get an extra match to qualify for the finals.
• The winner of the RCB Vs GT match will reach the finale, and the loser will play the winner of SRH Vs RR match in the Qualifier 2.
• The winner of that game will reach the finals to be played in Ahmedabad on May 31.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates Yet Another IPL Record

How spirited RR qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs

In the IPL 2026 match between MI and RR, Hardik Pandya won the toss and he elected to bowl first. The Mumbai team dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply, before Dhruv Jurel resurrected the innings.

The team got an unlikely boost in the batting lineup as Jofra Archer was promoted and he scored 32 off 15 balls as RR posted 205/8.

In reply, the Mumbai Indians got a horrendous start as they lost 4 for 38 before Suryakumar Yadav, and Will Jacks rescued them. Jacks departed, and it brought in Hardik Pandya, who started with a flurry before he, too went back.

Suryakumar Yadav scored a valuable fifty, but that was not enough as the Rajasthan Royals kept hold of their nerves to win the match by 30 runs.

Also Read: Only 2nd After Rohit Sharma! Suryakumar Yadav Makes Monumental IPL Record