The IPL 2026 playoffs continue with a massive knockout battle as Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, on Wednesday, May 27.
This is a do-or-die clash for both teams. The winner will move one step closer to the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will be knocked out of the tournament.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have looked like one of the strongest batting teams this season. Their aggressive top order and explosive middle-order finishers have helped them dominate several big games. SRH also hold a psychological advantage after defeating Rajasthan Royals twice during the league stage.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have shown fighting spirit throughout the tournament. Despite some inconsistent performances in recent matches, RR still possess enough match-winners to challenge any team in pressure games.
Match Details
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Tournament | IPL 2026 |
| Match | Eliminator |
| Date | May 27, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Recent Form |
|---|---|
| SRH | W, W, L, W, L |
| RR | W, W, L, L, L |
Sunrisers Hyderabad clearly enter this knockout game with slightly better momentum.
Points Table Record
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRH | 14 | 9 | 5 | +0.524 | 18 |
| RR | 14 | 8 | 6 | +0.189 | 16 |
SRH finished higher on the points table and looked more consistent during the league phase.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | SRH Wins | RR Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 14 | 9 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad have dominated this rivalry over the years, including both meetings in IPL 2026.
Pitch Report – Mullanpur Stadium
The Mullanpur surface has produced several high-scoring matches this season. Batters have enjoyed playing their shots freely because of the quick outfield and shorter boundaries.
However, bowlers who use slower deliveries smartly can still create pressure during middle overs. Chasing teams have generally enjoyed more success here.
Venue Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 15 |
| Win Batting First | 40% |
| Win Chasing | 60% |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 181 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 171 |
Another 200-plus total could be seen in this Eliminator clash.
Pace vs Spin Record
| Bowling Type | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Pace | 69 Wickets |
| Spin | 45 Wickets |
Pacers have enjoyed slightly better success at this venue, especially during the powerplay overs.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 42.3°C |
| Weather | Hazy Sunshine |
| Humidity | 13% |
| Rain Chances | 0% |
Weather conditions are expected to remain clear for a full match.
Key Players to Watch
Ishan Kishan has been one of SRH’s most dangerous batters this season and has already delivered strong performances against Rajasthan Royals.
Yashasvi Jaiswal remains Rajasthan Royals’ biggest batting threat in pressure situations.
Jofra Archer could become RR’s main weapon with the ball because of his pace and wicket-taking ability.
Probable Playing XI
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Ishan Kishan (WK) | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Dhruv Jurel (WK) |
| Salil Arora | Riyan Parag (C) |
| Smaran Ravichandran | Donovan Ferreira |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Shubham Dubey |
| Pat Cummins (C) | Dasun Shanaka |
| Harshal Patel | Jofra Archer |
| Shivang Kumar | Nandre Burger |
| Eshan Malinga | Yash Raj Punja |
| Sakib Hussain | Brijesh Sharma |
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first because chasing teams have enjoyed better success at Mullanpur.
Best Batter Prediction
Ishan Kishan has looked in excellent touch against RR this season and could once again play a match-winning innings.
Best Bowler Prediction
Jofra Archer has been Rajasthan Royals’ strike bowler this season and can trouble SRH’s aggressive batting lineup.
Match Prediction
Sunrisers Hyderabad appear slightly stronger heading into this Eliminator because of their batting depth and recent dominance over Rajasthan Royals. Their top order has consistently delivered quick starts, while players like Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide extra firepower in the middle overs.
Rajasthan Royals still have explosive players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Riyan Parag who can completely change the game on their day. However, RR’s bowling attack will need to perform brilliantly against SRH’s powerful batting unit.
The battle between SRH’s aggressive top order and RR’s fast bowlers could decide the result of this knockout match.
Winning Probability
| Team | Winning Chance |
|---|---|
| SRH | 55% |
| RR | 45% |
Match Scenarios
| Scenario | Toss Winner | Decision | Powerplay Score | First Innings Score | Predicted Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 | SRH | Bowl First | 80-90 | 200-210 | SRH |
| Scenario 2 | RR | Bowl First | 70-80 | 190-200 | RR |
Final Verdict
The IPL 2026 Eliminator promises to deliver a thrilling contest between two attacking sides. Sunrisers Hyderabad have looked more settled and consistent throughout the season, while Rajasthan Royals enter the match under pressure after losing momentum during the final phase of the league stage.
Still, knockout matches often produce unexpected heroes, and RR possess enough talent to create problems for SRH. If Rajasthan’s top order fires early, this contest could go right down to the final overs.
Fans can expect another entertaining high-scoring IPL playoff clash at Mullanpur.
