The inaugural champion of the Indian Premier League in 2008, Rajasthan Royals (RR), are still waiting to lift their second. Despite a bright start this season, RR had to wait till the last day of the league stage to seal their IPL 2026 playoffs qualification following a chaotic middle-table battle. Riyan Parag & Co defeated five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the final league day match to advance to the playoffs, finishing in fourth place with 8 wins in 14 games and 16 points under their belt. Then, they hammered the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to advance to Qualifier 2, where they face the Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 29.
With this, it is only the sixth time RR appeared in the IPL playoffs, having featured previously in five playoffs, including the final in 2022. Overall, Rajasthan have played 12 matches in the playoffs, winning six, losing six. While a lot has changed since their maiden title triumph in 2008, their only second final appearance was in 2022 under Sanju Samson’s captaincy. RR lost the final to Gujarat Titans by 7 wickets.
With Riyan Parag taking over the captaincy following Sanju Samson’s departure to Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals are a new unit. They have a new face in a 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. With Jofra Archer leading the bowling attack, RR will look to end their 17-year title drought.
RR record in IPL Playoffs
It must be noted that the IPL playoffs were introduced in 2011. Before that, the league followed the semi-finals and final format between 2008 and 2010.
| Stat | Mat | Won | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-final | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Qualifier 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eliminator | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Qualifier 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Final | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Overall | 12 | 6 | 6 |
RR’s record in playoffs match-wise
Rajasthan Royals have progressed into the finals of IPL history only twice and returned victorious in the inaugural edition of the tournament. However, they have played the Eliminator four times since 2008 and will be taking the field in their fifth Eliminator on May 27 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. RR have a 3-2 record in the Eliminator, with the most recent win coming on the back of a sensational 97 by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Against GT, RR have played two playoff games but have lost both of them. Both came in 2022 when Gujarat lifted their maiden crown under Hardik Pandya.
List of all RR playoffs matches
| Match | Result | Margin | Opposition | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal | won | 105 runs | Delhi Daredevils | Wankhede | 30 May 2008 |
| Final | won | 3 wickets | Chennai Super Kings | DY Patil | 1 Jun 2008 |
| Eliminator | won | 4 wickets | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Delhi | 22 May 2013 |
| Qualifier 2 | lost | 4 wickets | Mumbai Indians | Eden Gardens | 24 May 2013 |
| Eliminator | lost | 71 runs | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Pune | 20 May 2015 |
| Eliminator | lost | 25 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders | Eden Gardens | 23 May 2018 |
| Qualifier 1 | lost | 7 wickets | Gujarat Titans | Eden Gardens | 24 May 2022 |
| Qualifier 2 | won | 7 wickets | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Ahmedabad | 27 May 2022 |
| Final | lost | 7 wickets | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 29 May 2022 |
| Eliminator | won | 4 wickets | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Ahmedabad | 22 May 2024 |
| Qualifier 2 | lost | 36 runs | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Chennai | 24 May 2024 |
| Eliminator | won | 47 runs | Sunrisers Hyderabad | New Chandigarh | 27 May 2026 |
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