The Eliminator of IPL 2026 brings a high-pressure clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals as both sides fight to keep their title hopes alive. SRH enter the contest with a psychological edge after defeating RR twice during the league stage this season.
Match details
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST, 7:00 PM PST, 2:00 PM GMT
Team overviews
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad have looked like one of the most explosive batting units in IPL 2026. The Hyderabad-based side dominated several high-scoring encounters throughout the season and secured two convincing wins over Rajasthan Royals earlier in the campaign. Pat Cummins has provided strong leadership while their batting lineup has consistently attacked opposition bowlers from the powerplay overs.
The presence of aggressive batters such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Travis Head gives SRH one of the most dangerous top orders in the tournament. Their middle-order depth and power-hitting ability make them especially dangerous on batting-friendly surfaces like New Chandigarh.
SRH are aiming to reach their second IPL final in three seasons and win their first IPL title since 2016.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals continue to rely on their aggressive young batting core and experienced overseas players. Riyan Parag has led the side in crucial moments, while players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel have delivered important contributions during the league phase.
RR qualified for the playoffs despite inconsistent performances during the middle stages of the tournament. Their bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer, remains their biggest strength heading into this knockout fixture.
The Royals last reached the IPL final in 2022 and continue their search for a second IPL trophy after winning the inaugural edition in 2008.
Head-to-head record
The rivalry has largely favoured Sunrisers Hyderabad in recent seasons. Out of 23 meetings between the two sides, SRH have won 14 matches while RR have managed nine victories.
| Matches | SRH Wins | RR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 |
SRH also completed a league double over RR during IPL 2026, including a dominant 57-run win and a successful chase in Jaipur.
Pitch report
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium has heavily favoured batters throughout IPL 2026. Teams batting first have crossed the 250-run mark, while several high-scoring chases have also been completed comfortably.
The shorter boundaries and quick outfield allow stroke-makers to dominate once set. Fast bowlers may find some movement with the new ball early in the innings, but defending totals at this venue remains difficult. Captains are likely to prefer chasing after winning the toss because of the consistent dew factor in night matches.
Key players
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan has enjoyed an outstanding season and particularly dominated Rajasthan Royals in both league meetings. The left-handed batter scored 91 off 44 balls in Hyderabad and followed it with another aggressive knock of 74 in Jaipur. His ability to attack in the powerplay could decide the tempo of the match.
Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen remains one of the most destructive middle-order batters in T20 cricket. He has consistently accelerated SRH’s innings during the death overs.
Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer will carry Rajasthan’s bowling hopes. The right-arm fast bowler has already taken four wickets against SRH this season and enters the Eliminator with 21 wickets overall in IPL 2026.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal can change the game quickly at the top of the order. RR need a strong powerplay from him to challenge SRH’s batting firepower.
Probable playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad Probable XI
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Salil Arora
- Smaran Ravichandran
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Harshal Patel
- Shivang Kumar
- Eshan Malinga
- Sakib Hussain
Impact Player: Travis Head
Rajasthan Royals Probable XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag (captain)
- Donovan Ferreira
- Shubham Dubey
- Dasun Shanaka
- Jofra Archer
- Nandre Burger
- Yash Raj Punja
- Brijesh Sharma
Impact Player: Ravindra Jadeja
Probable match scenarios
If SRH bat first and their top order survives the powerplay, they could push beyond 220 considering the batting conditions at New Chandigarh. Their aggressive approach has repeatedly overwhelmed bowling attacks this season.
RR’s best chance lies in early wickets from Jofra Archer and restricting SRH below 200. Rajasthan’s batting lineup is capable of chasing big totals, but they cannot afford another poor start against Cummins and Harshal Patel.
A high-scoring contest appears likely, with the chasing side expected to hold a slight advantage under lights.
Live streaming and broadcast
India
TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan
TV Broadcast: Tapmad TV and local sports broadcasters carrying IPL feed
Live Streaming: Tapmad app and website
United Kingdom
TV Broadcast: Sky Sports Cricket
Live Streaming: Sky Go and NOW
Australia
TV Broadcast: Fox Cricket
Live Streaming: Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go
Global viewers
Selected regions can watch through official IPL broadcast partners and the ICC-approved streaming platforms available in their respective countries.
Match prediction
Both teams possess explosive batting lineups, but Sunrisers Hyderabad appear slightly stronger because of their recent dominance over Rajasthan Royals and their superior batting depth. RR’s bowling attack gives them a realistic chance if Archer strikes early, yet SRH’s aggressive top order and overall momentum make them marginal favourites heading into the Eliminator.
