MI vs RR IPL 2026 Highlights: Rajasthan Royals take final playoff spot

And it looks like the playoff race is done. Rajasthan Royals are through unless we see a historic over. Brijesh Sharma dismisses Deepak Chahar off the third ball in that over. Chahar was walking off, that was how comprehensively LBW he was but he took a review anyhow. Was of no use. 

And so MI now need 37 to win off the last over. 

Oh is that the game and is that the playoff race? Suryakumar Yadav tries to hit it down the ground, it came at Burger at pace in his follow through but he does brilliantly to take the catch. No boundaries for 13 balls now. 

MI 157/8 in 17.3 overs

Was this the over that takes RR to the playoffs? Bosch tries a slog sweep off Punja third ball of the 17th over, ends up hitting it straight to deep midwicket. Just five singles in that over apart from that. 

MI need 51 to win from 18 balls. 

Well, Riyan Parag's gamble of bowling out Archer in the 16th over has worked, right after the final timeout of the match. Just two runs in the first three balls and then Pandya is hurried on the pull shot. Caught at long on. 

MI fans must be wondering where this version of Hardik Pandya was all season long. Burger bowls the 14th over, Pandya smashes the first ball right through his partner's feet and down the ground for a four. Three singles after that for MI in that over, two of which were for SKY which takes him to 51 in 34 balls. 

MI need 67 to win from 36 balls

Pandya was nearly dismissed the first ball he faced as he almost holed out at cover. He followed that up by smashing the fifth ball over long on for a six. Punja bowled a wide delivery and then his follow up was tonked over deep midwicket for another six. Pandya then gets back to back fours off the third and fourth balls by Shanaka in the next over and he has raced to 25 off seven balls. Suryakumar on 49 off 31 balls at the other end. 

MI need 75 to win from 42 balls. 

Jacks had swiped at the last ball, miscued it but it still went straight down the ground and over the sightscreen for a six. This time, though, it goes straight up in the air, falling down at the vacant short leg position. Jurel sprints all the way there and takes a sharp catch. 

Jacks c Jurel b Yash Raj Punja 33 (18)
MI 101/5 in 11.3 overs

Apart from RR needing to win this match to reach the playoffs, there is also the little matter of MI probably wanting to avoid finishing last this season. To do that, MI need to score 134 and while it did look like they might be all out before that during the powerplay, it will take a spectacular collapse for Mumbai to be scoring less than that now.

Suryakumar Yadav has raced to 43 in 26 balls, Jacks on 25 off 12.

MI 90/4 in 10 overs

He has raced to 28 in 19 balls, Will Jacks at the other end on 17 off seven. This has been quite an accelaration from the two batters since the end of the powerplay. Jadeja to return now for his second over in the ninth, SKY on strike. 

MI 67/4 in 8 overs

Brijesh seemed to have lost the plot a bit searching for the yorker after that wicket. His third ball to Will Jacks was back of a length on leg and the latter simply guided that down leg side for four. Then, Brijesh sends in a beamer that smashes Jacks on the knuckles. The ball goes away to fine leg and the batters run a single after which Jacks needs some attention. No ball given. Brijesh then sends in another full toss, Suryakumar this time goes down on one knee but the ball takes the top edge and clobbers into his helmet. He goes flat on the ground and needs attention from the physio. Thankfully, he is fine. Brijesh follows up with another full toss that SKY could only flick to deep midwicket for a single. Then a delivery right in the slot for Jacks to send off side for four. 

A poor over overall to end the powerplay even though there was a wicket off the first ball but this has been an incredible powerplay for RR. 

And this time it is Tilak Varma. RR are well on their way here. Brijesh Sharma with his very first ball! It was fullish outside off, the ball jags in, bursts right through Tilak who seemed to be done by how low it stays. It smashes into his stumps.

Tilak b Brijesh Sharma 3 (7)
MI 38/4 in 5.1 overs

Well, Kumar Sangakkara in the dugout could be seen staring with red-hot anger after what happened off the first ball of the fourth over and then that face broke into a smile after the next delivery. Nandre Burger comes in for the fourth over, his first ball is a length ball that Suryakumar plays to square leg and takes off. It was not the greatest of calls, Brijesh Sharma was right there. He collects the ball, seems to be put off when he saw absolutely no one to collect at the non-striker's end and goes for an absolute horror throw that is nowhere near the stumps. Suryakumar was nowhere in the frame but the ball was only at the edge of it. In fact, it almost went for overthrows. Absolute garbage cricket. 

However, Rickelton then hits the next ball straight to square leg where Sooryavanshi takes a sharp catch. 

Rickelton c Sooryavanshi b Burger 12 (7)
MI 24/3 in 3.2 overs

What a delivery that was. It moved in slightly in the air and then seams away, Naman Dhir beaten all ends up and his stumps are splattered. 

MI 18/2 in 2.3 overs
Dhir b Archer 6 (5)

Archer bowled an absolute blinder of a first over there. A wicket and just one run in it. Nandre Burger comes in for the second and after three dots, Rickelton slams the fourth ball through covers for four. Then he smashes the fifth ball straight down the ground for a six. Single last ball. 

MI 13/1 in 2 overs

Oh what a start this is for RR. Three dots, Archer kept those deliveries just outside off. He had caught an outside edge with the first ball. The fourth ball, though, is in line with the stumps and moves away off a length. The ball takes Rohit's outside edge and Jurel takes the catch. That's a Test match dismissal right there. 

Rohit Sharma c Jurel b Archer 0 (4)
MI 0/1 in 0.4 overs

Well, Rohit Sharma has had some trouble with the bat measure again by the fourth umpire. We've seen this happen before, he finally has to change that bat. Out he comes with Ryan Rickelton and Rohit will be on strike. Jofra Archer is bowling the first over. 

Well,Thakur riled up Jadeja there and the latter smacked the smithereens off that ball. Jadeja was caught at cover fourth ball and Thakur pumped his fists at him. But the buzzer went off for no ball and Jadeja did the same back to Thakur. Jadeja smashes the free-hit ball leg side for four. The next ball is a wide length delivery, Jadeja cuts it with everything he has got through cover point. Jadeja pumps his fist at Thakur again. He pulls the last ball to deep midwicket and takes a single to finish unbeaten on 19 off 11. Nandre Burger at the other end finishes on 10 off 3. 

And the second of those is the big one. Jofra Archer goes for another big one but is caught at long on, Tilak takes yet another sharp catch. Before that, Dubey was caught at long on by Naman Dhir. 

RR 175/8 in 18 overs

Jofra Archer is playing a blinder here for RR. He has smacked a couple of sixes and raced to 21 in 11 balls. Shubham Dubey at the other end on four off four. Thakur to bowl the 18th and so it is pretty much confirmed that Hardik Pandya is not bowling today. 

RR 161/6 in 17 overs

The Royals simply not being able to put together a strong partnership. Deepak Chahar had just been hit for a six off the previous ball which was a full toss. He then goes short, slow and wide. Ferreira hits it into the hands lf of the fielder at long on. 
 
Ferreira c Bosch b Chahar 18 (15)
RR 139/6 in 15.3 overs

Corbin Bosch! A perfect yorker on middle and off stumps, Jurel looks to flick it and the ball goes right through his bat and pads. That's a heavenly sight for a fast bowler, the Royals continue to crumble. 

Jurel b Bosch 38 (26)

RR 119/5 in 12.5 overs

Ghazanfar continues leaking those runs. Jurel with two fours off the first two balls in the over. The third ball is hit to backward point and it's a dot. Then Jurel pulls the fourth ball for a big six over midwicket. Single off the next ball and then a dot. Jurel is on 36 off 23. 

RR 115/4 in 12 overs

Well that revival was short lived, Shanaka goes all the way up the pitch for a run, says hello to his partner Jurel and tries to return. So far away was he from making his mark that the bowler Corbin Bosch manages to whip the bails away easily despite not collecting the ball cleanly from Thakur. Replays show that it was Shanaka's call, it was a tight single but it as there for the taking. Jurel quite enthusiastically took a couple of steps forward and then looked towards the ball, decided to go back, by which time Shanaka had almost reached the other end. A good partnership ended in arguably the worst possible manner. 

Shanaka run out (Thakur/Bosch) 29 (15)
RR 99/4 in 10.3 overs

Well, Dasun Shanaka can hit 'em. The Indian team has been at the receiving end of his blows but he is yet to truly shine in the IPL. Could today be the day? He gets a six off the fourth ball of the eight over by Ghazanfar and then a six off the fifth ball of the next one by Raghu Sharma. 

Shanaka is on 20 off 11, Jurel on 14 off 12 and he is on strike. Sharduk Thakur introduced for the 10th over. 

Raghu Sharma into the attack

Massive jolt for RR. Dasun Shanaka is in at 5, joining Jurel. The batters tread on singles as Sharma skims through a tight over. 

RR 60/3 in 7 overs

Allah Ghazanfar into the attack

Ghazanfar drops short and Jurel hammers it over mid-wicket for SIX. Ghazanfar to Parag, OUT! A couple of fours and Parag wastes another start. RR are frittering in a must-win game as the skipper lifts the ball straight to the long-on fielder.

Riyan Parag c Tilak Varma b Ghazanfar 14 (8b 2x4 1x6)

Chahar to Sooryavanshi, OUT! Huge blow for RR. A wild hack across the line against the out-swinger and Sooryavanshi sends the leading edge flying to deep backward point. Riyan Parag is in at 4. A couple of dots and he's off the front-footed swat over wide long-on for SIX! Chahar closes out the over with a slower bouncer and immediately gestures to walk off the field.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi c Naman Dhir b Chahar 4 (6b)

Jacks continues and Jaiswal gives a firm charge to crunch the ball over long off for SIX. Excellent movement there from Jaiswal to counter the flight. Jacks to Jaiswal, OUT! Excellent riposte! Jaiswal plays one shot too many. He loses shape on the slog as Jacks drops it a yard short. Leading edge flies to point and RR lose a big one in the PP. Dhruv Jurel is in at 3.

Yashasvi Jaiswal c Bosch b Jacks 27 (17b 1x4 3x6)

RR 33/1 in 4 overs

Bang! Jaiswal flays another slot ball from Chahar down the ground for SIX. A lot of height and the ball carries enough distance to cross the fence. A couple of singles to follow. Another loosener on length and Jaiswal unfurls a full-blooded drive through cover for FOUR.

RR 25/0 in 3 overs

Will Jacks into the attack

Interesting move here from MI, handing Jacks the second over. Jaiswal cuts and sneaks in a single. Huge contest here with Sooryavanshi on strike. He holds his anchor and flicks the ball for a single. Huge shout as Jacks lines one in to the pads against Jaiswal's missed sweep. That looked steady in line but the umpire is unmoved. Hardik reviews.

Taking a lot of time for the replays. Nice loopy off-break that grips and turns to strike the pad but umpire's call on wickets saves Jaiswal! A single and Jacks yorks Sooryavanshi to close out a fine over.

RR 13/0 in 2 overs

Deepak Chahar opens the attack. Jaiswal on strike. He's off the blocks with a single. 

High in the air and Sooryavanshi falls first ball.. nearly! A stunning leap from Will Jacks at deep cover denies Sooryavanshi a six. A little less power and he would have fallen first ball here. In the slot and this time it's Jaiswal who cracks the first SIX! Straight and high over Chahar for a huge maximum.

RR 9/0 in 1 over

Searing hit in Mumbai and the MI huddle takes shape one last time this season. Some words from the skipper HP before they disperse out to the field. In walk Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

MI Impact Subs: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult

RR Impact Subs: Ravindra Jadeja, Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande

Mumbai Indians XI: Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma

Rajasthan Royals XI:  Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma

Toss: MI win toss, opt to bowl

Hardik Pandya - We will bowl first. It looks like a good track and it tends to get better in the evening. It's a very special day, overall, the Reliance Foundation has helped and impacted 29 lakh people. We just want to play our best and make them enjoy their time. It looks hard and it should get better once the sun goes down. This game means a lot for the team; we want to give our best shot. We've had a tough season and want to finish on a high. Jassi is resting and Deepak is in.

Riyan Parag - We would have bowled first as well. We know this could be the last game of the tournament and we want to give it our best shot. Hopefully, we'll maximise our chances and give our best shot. If we win, we qualify and won't need any help from the others. Three changes - Nandre comes in, so does Jadeja and me.

Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya are out in the middle for the coin flip

Ian Bishop and Sunil Gavaskar assess the pitch: It's the first day game here this season. Standing on pitch number 6. So just about the dimensions, away to my left, the bigger of the two square boundaries - 67 metres, 61 to my right, and 75 down the ground. This pitch, over the years, this pitch in Mumbai has always been good for batting. But this one looks bereft of grass. There's a little bit of grass here and there. Therefore, I think the spinners will get some help. But this will be a pitch where there will be a lot of runs because this is a smaller ground, quick outfield so the ball will travel faster.

Did you know? Jasprit Bumrah has the worst average for any bowler who has bowled at least 200 balls in an IPL season. He has averaged 102.50 for his four wickets in 13 matches this season. Who would have thought!

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have emerged among the fastest-scoring opening pair in IPL history.

Since their association began last season, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi have plundered 1011 runs at an average of 50.55 and a partnership run rate of 12.1. In 20 innings, they have crossed 50 runs in 10 innings, employing an excellent success rate,

Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sushant Mishra, Sandeep Sharma, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja

Well, well. Things could get interesting for RR if the heavens decide to open up tonight in Mumbai. Rain showers have been predicted this evening in the city. 

Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Will Jacks, Deepak Chahar, Corbin Bosch, Shardul Thakur, Raghu Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

The equation stands pretty straightforward for Rajasthan to seal the Play-off spot even before KKR and DC take the field at the Eden Gardens later this evening. All RR need to do is secure a win over the Mumbai Indians to reach the IPL 2026 playoffs. 

It has been a tumultuous season for Mumbai Indians, with two of their senior campaigners enduring indifferent runs. Injuries have also ravaged the season for Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. The two will now be in a race against time to prove their fitness ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan, starting next month. The phase will be particularly challenging for Rohit with multiple challengers breathing down his neck for the opener's spot. READ MORE

Jofra Archer's rejuvenated self has been pivotal in holding the RR bowling attack intact amid multiple injuries. His 18 wickets in 13 matches are not merely numbers; it is the first time in a while in the IPL that he has looked like a bowler who can crack open matches. READ MORE

Here's a look at the few records set by Sooryavanshi so far this season:

• Fastest batter to 500 runs in a season - in 220 balls
• Youngest batter to reach 500 runs in a season - 15 years
• Fastest to hit 50 IPL sixes in a season -  236 balls
• First Indian to hit 50 sixes in a season
• Second-most sixes in an IPL season - 53*
• Second-most Powerplay runs in an IPL season - 426
• Third-fastest century - 36 balls
• Most sixes by an Indian in an innings - 12
• First teenager to hit 100 T20 sixes
• Fastest to hit 100 T20 sixes - 515 balls
• Highest batting SR in a season - 236.32

With 53 sixes in 13 innings, Sooryavanshi is only six maximums away from equalling the all-time record for most sixes in an edition. The maverick Chris Gayle had slammed 59 in 2012, but if 15-year-old can nudge that mark tonight, it's going to be a historic feat indeed. 

Did you know? The IPL 2026 season is now officially the highest six-hitting edition of the tournament in 19 seasons, with over 1300 sixes being struck after 68 matches, with a six emerging every 11.6 deliveries. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is redefining perceptions with every passing innings in the IPL. Not only has it flattened oppositions, the left-hander's prowess has even left his own backroom staff awestruck. Assistant coach Trevor Penney who has been in the cricket business said on match eve that he had never across a batter quite like the Bihar prodigy. READ MORE

Mumbai Indians Squad: Ryan Rickelton(w), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma, AM Ghazanfar, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult, Keshav Maharaj, Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar, Danish Malewar, Mayank Markande, Ashwani Kumar, Mahipal Lomror, Ruchit Ahir

Rajasthan Royals Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal(c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel(w), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sushant Mishra, Sandeep Sharma, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Aman Rao Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Riyan Parag, Ravindra Jadeja, Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Tushar Deshpande, Kuldeep Sen, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh

All is on the line for the Rajasthan Royals, who still have a firm chance to amend their slip-ups midway through the campaign. A win will place them as the last team in the Playoffs, and a result otherwise will condemn them back to the infuriating familiarities of mediocrity marring yet another season.