The IPL 2026 Eliminator brings together two teams who both needed the last day of the league stage to confirm their playoff spots. Sunrisers Hyderabad finished third with 18 points after a 55-run demolition of RCB in their final game. Rajasthan Royals finished fourth with 16 points after a last-ball thriller win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede.
Vs
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, Mullanpur,
27 May 2026 07:30 PM
The loser goes home. The winner faces the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 at the same venue on May 29, with a shot at the final at Ahmedabad on May 31.
Former SRH captain Ambati Rayudu has already backed SRH to come out on top, pointing to the big side boundaries at Mullanpur that suit SRH’s style of bowling more than RR’s. However, the numbers and current momentum tell a more balanced story.
SRH vs RR Eliminator: Complete Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, Eliminator |
| Tournament | IPL 2026 (TATA Indian Premier League) Playoffs |
| Date | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) |
| Winner Goes To | Qualifier 2, New Chandigarh, May 29 |
| Loser | Eliminated from IPL 2026 |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App and Website |
SRH vs RR Head-to-Head Record in IPL
SRH hold a strong all-time head-to-head lead over RR. Across 23 IPL meetings, the Sunrisers have won 14 times against the Royals’ 9 victories. Not a single match between these two sides has ended without a result across all their meetings combined.
In IPL 2026 specifically, SRH and RR have already met twice this season. SRH won the second meeting in April at Jaipur where Abhishek Sharma made 57 off 29 and Ishan Kishan blasted 74 off 31 as SRH chased down 228 with an over and a half to spare. RR had the better of the earlier match.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches (all IPL) | 23 |
| SRH Wins | 14 |
| RR Wins | 9 |
| No Result | 0 |
| SRH Win % | 60.9% |
| SRH Record at Home (vs RR) | 5 wins in 6 games at Hyderabad |
| RR Record at Mullanpur | 2 wins from 2 games (perfect record here) |
| IPL 2026 Meeting 1 | RR won |
| IPL 2026 Meeting 2 | SRH won by comfortable margin (April 25, Jaipur) |
| IPL 2026 H2H | Level 1-1 |
| SRH 2026 Form | 9W 5L (3rd, 18 pts; beat RCB by 55 runs in final game) |
| RR 2026 Form | 8W 6L (4th, 16 pts; beat MI in last-ball thriller to qualify) |
| Top Run-Scorer in H2H (all time) | Sanju Samson (RR) – 698 runs |
| Best Bowling in H2H | James Faulkner (RR) – 5/16 |
| RR Highest Score vs SRH | 220/3 in a 55-run win |
| RR Lowest Score vs SRH | 102 all out (Hyderabad, 2014) |
Sooryavanshi scored a 37-ball 103 against SRH in IPL 2026 at Jaipur, which is the second-fastest IPL century by any Indian batter. Despite his knock, SRH’s chase of 228 was almost effortless. That result gives SRH the better of the recent form in this fixture.
Mullanpur Pitch Report for SRH vs RR Eliminator
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is one of the few IPL venues where bowlers get genuine help. The surface demands patience from batters, who cannot simply swing from ball one.
The side boundaries here are notably large, which reduces the impact of cross-bat shots and rewards proper placement over brute power. Former ESPNcricinfo expert Ambati Rayudu specifically noted that the ground dimensions suit SRH’s bowlers more than RR’s attack.
RR have a perfect record at this ground, winning both their previous games here, including a win over PBKS in IPL 2026 earlier this season.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced surface; rewards discipline with bat and ball |
| Big Side Boundaries | Larger than most IPL venues; reduces cross-bat hitting |
| Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL all time at venue) | 181-191 |
| Win Batting First | 50% |
| Win Bowling First | 50% |
| Pace Bowling | Gets carry and bounce; new ball is key |
| Spin Factor | Spinners come into play in middle overs with some grip |
| Dew Factor | Moderate dew in 2nd innings; assists chasing side |
| Key Insight | Large side boundaries help disciplined bowlers; RR have a 100% record at this ground (2 from 2) |
The projected combined total for this Eliminator is around 365 to 390 runs, with a first-innings median around 191. Both sides have the batting to push totals above 180 per innings if the new ball does not dominate the powerplay.
New Chandigarh Weather Forecast for SRH vs RR Match
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature (Match Time) | 28-34 degrees Celsius |
| Temperature (Peak Day) | Up to 42-44 degrees Celsius |
| Humidity | High during evening session |
| Rain Chance | Negligible |
| Wind Speed | Warm, light breeze |
| Dew Factor | Moderate dew expected in 2nd innings |
| Conditions | Scorching hot day; warm and humid evening |
New Chandigarh in late May is among the hottest venues in the IPL calendar. The evening temperature drops enough for cricket, but humidity remains high. Dew will appear in the second innings, making batting slightly easier in the chase. Both captains will factor this into their toss decision.
SRH vs RR Toss Prediction
Moderate dew at Mullanpur in the evening session gives a slight chasing advantage. Both captains are expected to prefer bowling first. SRH captain Ishan Kishan has consistently used the powerplay to his side’s batting advantage but has also shown willingness to chase when conditions demand. RR captain Riyan Parag won the toss and chose to field in their earlier meeting here this season.
RR’s 100% win record at Mullanpur has come from both batting and bowling first, which means they are comfortable in either scenario at this venue.
Toss Prediction: Bowl first. Both Ishan Kishan and Riyan Parag are expected to prefer chasing under lights at Mullanpur, where dew in the second innings makes batting progressively easier through the back half of the second innings.
SRH vs RR Probable Playing XIs
Here are Probable Playing XI IPL 2026:
Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | Opener |
| 2 | Travis Head | Opener |
| 3 | Ishan Kishan (C & WK) | Top Order |
| 4 | Heinrich Klaasen | Middle Order |
| 5 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| 6 | Salil Arora | Middle Order |
| 7 | Aniket Verma | Middle Order |
| 8 | Sakib Hussain | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Harsh Dubey | Spinner |
| 10 | Shivang Kumar | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Eshan Malinga | Fast Bowler |
| Impact | Pat Cummins / Liam Livingstone | Bowler / All-rounder |
SRH’s bowling has been their main concern throughout the season. Despite posting 200-plus totals on multiple occasions, their inability to defend those scores exposed a fragile bowling attack. With Pat Cummins returning to lead their pace attack in the final two weeks of the league stage, they won their last two games. His role as an Impact Player in the Eliminator will be critical.
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opener |
| 3 | Dhruv Jurel (WK) | Top Order |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (C) | Middle Order |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Finisher |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira | Finisher |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Nandre Burger | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Ravi Bishnoi | Leg Spinner |
| 11 | Brijesh Sharma | Fast Bowler |
| Impact | Sandeep Sharma / Shimron Hetmyer | Bowler / Batter |
RR’s death-overs batting equation rests on Jurel, Hetmyer, Jadeja, and Archer’s late cameo ability. Archer’s finishing knock against MI in the final league game proved RR can still reach 200 even after a poor start from their top order. That gives RR tactical flexibility that SRH’s lineup does not always carry.
Why Sunrisers Hyderabad Will Win This Match
Superior Head-to-Head Record and Recent Form
SRH hold a 14-9 all-time lead over RR and won the most recent meeting between the two sides with a comfortable chase of 228 at Jaipur. They are coming off a 55-run demolition of RCB in their final league game, where they scored 255/4 and then bowled RCB out for 200. That kind of statement performance carries weight in knockout cricket.
Abhishek Sharma and Kishan Are the Best Powerplay Pair in IPL 2026
Abhishek Sharma’s strike rate of 202.8 and Kishan’s 178.08 strike rate combine to give SRH an opening phase that can reach 60-plus without losing a wicket if conditions allow. As Rayudu noted, Mullanpur’s larger side boundaries suit a bowling attack built on angles and discipline more than one built on width and cross-bat hitting. SRH’s seamers operate on tight lines that become harder to hit on a ground with bigger square boundaries.
Pat Cummins as the Impact Player
Cummins led SRH to wins in their last two league games after returning from injury. As an Impact Player at a crucial ground where the pitch offers carry and bounce, he adds a quality control that SRH’s other bowlers struggle to provide consistently. His powerplay and death-over bowling against RR’s aggressive openers is the key tactical battle of this match.
SRH’s 9-Win Season Makes Them Battle-Tested
SRH finished on 18 points, the same total as the two finalists RCB and GT. Their nine wins came against a mix of strong and weak opposition, and their batting ceiling of 255 against RCB showed they can win knockout cricket with an explosive first innings total.
Why Rajasthan Royals Could Still Win
Perfect Record at Mullanpur
RR have won both of their previous games at this ground, including a win over PBKS in IPL 2026. They know the dimensions, the surface, and the conditions at Mullanpur better than SRH, who have played only once at this venue across all seasons.
Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal Can Chase Any Total
Sooryavanshi’s 232 strike rate and Jaiswal’s composure give RR the highest batting ceiling in any chase situation in IPL 2026. Their combined 53 sixes from Sooryavanshi alone in this season shows they have the power to take the game away from any bowling attack within the powerplay, even with Cummins and Malinga operating.
Archer Targets SRH’s Dangerous Top Order
Jofra Archer has a better personal record against Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan individually than any other bowler in either attack. If he gets Abhishek early in the powerplay, SRH’s entire scoring model breaks down. A two-wicket powerplay for Archer changes the run rate pressure on Kishan and Klaasen in the middle overs.
RR Won the Last-Ball Thriller to Get Here
RR qualified with a dramatic last-over win over MI at the Wankhede. That kind of high-pressure game experience, where the team stays calm with everything on the line, is exactly the mental state you want going into an Eliminator. RR’s players have been tested under knockout-level pressure very recently.
SRH vs RR Betting Odds And Win Probability
| Team | Betting Odds | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1.80 – 1.90 | 52-56% |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1.95 – 2.10 | 44-48% |
SRH are narrow favourites across most platforms. Their better head-to-head record, superior batting ceiling, and recent form give them the edge. However, RR’s perfect record at Mullanpur, Archer’s matchup against SRH’s top order, and Sooryavanshi’s ability to single-handedly change a chase keep the market tight.
Disclaimer: Odds are indicative and sourced from publicly available platforms at the time of writing. They may change closer to match time.
SRH vs RR Eliminator Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Predicted Winner: Sunrisers Hyderabad
| Factor | SRH Edge | RR Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Points Table | 3rd, 18 pts (same as top two) | 4th, 16 pts |
| Season Form | 9W 5L; beat RCB by 55 in final game (scored 255/4) | 8W 6L; won last-ball thriller vs MI to qualify |
| Head-to-Head (all IPL) | 14 wins in 23 meetings; 60.9% win rate | 9 wins in 23 meetings |
| IPL 2026 H2H | Won last meeting at Jaipur by comfortable margin | Won their first meeting in April |
| At Mullanpur | Only 1 previous game here (won by 2 runs in 2025) | Perfect 2 wins from 2 games at this ground |
| Top Batter | Abhishek (434 runs, SR 202.8); Kishan (447 runs, 178 SR) | Sooryavanshi (583 runs, SR 232; 53 sixes in 2026) |
| Power Hitter | Klaasen (death-overs SR above 180) | Donovan Ferreira (death-overs SR above 300) |
| Top Bowler | Eshan Malinga (16 wkts, Econ 8.69) | Jofra Archer (21 wkts; better record vs Abhishek, Head, Kishan) |
| Impact Player | Pat Cummins (returned from injury; won last 2 games with him) | Sandeep Sharma / Hetmyer |
| Key Weakness | Bowling consistency; struggled to defend totals all season | Over-reliance on Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal at the top |
| Toss Preference | Chase preferred; dew advantage in 2nd innings | Chase preferred; 2 wins from 2 at Mullanpur regardless of decision |
| Expert Prediction | Ambati Rayudu (SRH); venue dimensions suit their attack | Slight favourites in some market models (RR edge on momentum) |
Predicted Winner: Sunrisers Hyderabad Win Probability: SRH 52-56% vs RR 44-48% Predicted Margin: SRH to win by 20-25 runs (if defending) or 6-7 wickets (if chasing).
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Final Verdict
This Eliminator is genuinely one of the tightest knockout matchups in recent IPL history. Two teams who split their season series 1-1, with different strengths, meet at a neutral venue where one of them has a perfect record and the other has a minimal match history.
SRH’s batting ceiling is higher. Their 255/4 against RCB stands as a statement of what this team can do at its absolute best. Abhishek Sharma’s powerplay hitting, Kishan’s anchor-and-attack approach, and Klaasen’s death-over destruction give SRH a scoring template that is very difficult to defend against.
But RR have Jofra Archer specifically targeting SRH’s most dangerous batters, Sooryavanshi to chase any total on the planet if he survives the new ball, and a perfect record at the venue where this Eliminator is being played.
The headline battles are the Archer vs Abhishek Sharma powerplay duel and then Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal vs Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga at the top of RR’s chase. Whoever wins those two phases wins the match and moves on to Qualifier 2.
Expect a high-scoring, high-pressure contest. But expect SRH’s superior head-to-head record, their explosive batting form coming off 255 runs against RCB, and the big Mullanpur boundaries that suit their bowling style to give them the narrow edge when it matters.
