Following the final round of regular season action on Sunday, the IPL top four were:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The top three all finished on 18 points and were separated on the log by net run rate. Rajasthan finished on 16 log points.
The IPL uses a unique playoff system that rewards teams finishing first and second with two chances to reach the final.
Qualifier 1
This see table-toppers RCB face second-placed Gujarat Titans on Tuesday in Dharamshala.
The winner advances directly to the IPL grand final. The loser gets a second opportunity through Qualifier 2.
The SA stars lighting up the IPL charts
South African pace spearhead and joint-leading IPL 2026 wicket-taker Kagiso Rabada is likely to play a major role for Gujarat. Connor Esterhuizen is also in the Titans squad but is yet to feature this season.
The Eliminator
This is a straight knockout between third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad and fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals. The match takes place on Wednesday in New Chandigarh.
The Sunrisers will rely heavily on the explosive batting of Heinrich Klaasen who has enjoyed another stellar IPL campaign, ranking third in terms of runs scored.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee is also with the Sunrisers but has yet to feature this season.
In the opposition Rajasthan ranks are all-rounders Donovan Ferreira and Lhuan-dre Pretorius and fast bowler Nandre Burger, all of whom have featured at various points this season. The Royals also boast teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka in their ranks.
The winner of the Eliminator progresses to Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 2
Features the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator.
The match takes place on Friday 29 May in New Chandigarh.
Final
Winner of Qualifier 1 versus winner of Qualifier 2.
The grand final takes place on Sunday 31 May at the 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Photos: Reuters/Indian Premier League
