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The IPL 2026 playoffs are set to intensify as Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Wednesday evening.
With a place in Qualifier 2 at stake, both teams head into the contest knowing there is no room for error. The winner will move one step closer to the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will see its campaign come to an end.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM local time, and expectations are already building for another run-heavy contest at one of the season's highest-scoring venues.
Mullanpur Pitch Likely To Favour Batters Again
The surface at Mullanpur has consistently produced high-scoring encounters throughout IPL 2026. Several matches at the venue have crossed the 200-run mark, with chasing teams also enjoying considerable success under lights.
According to pitch reports, the wicket expected to be used for the Eliminator has already witnessed massive totals earlier this season. In one of the previous fixtures played here, a target above 220 runs was successfully chased down, highlighting the batting-friendly nature of the venue.
The pitch is expected to remain flat with good bounce and excellent carry, allowing stroke-makers from both teams to play their shots freely. Batters are likely to enjoy the conditions once they settle in during the middle overs.
The average first-innings score at the venue this season has hovered around 210 runs, suggesting another big total could be on the cards. Teams batting first are expected to target scores well beyond 200 to stay competitive.
However, bowlers who vary their pace effectively and execute yorkers consistently during the death overs may still have an important role to play. Spinners could also find some control during the middle phase if conditions slow down slightly later in the evening.
Weather Conditions Expected To Stay Clear
Weather forecasts for New Chandigarh indicate extremely hot conditions during the afternoon, with temperatures touching nearly 45 degrees Celsius earlier in the day. However, conditions are expected to become relatively manageable by match time.
Evening temperatures are likely to remain between 33 and 37 degrees Celsius during the first half of the game before gradually dropping later at night. Humidity levels are expected to stay moderate, while wind gusts of around 17-20 kmph may continue through the evening.
Importantly for fans and players, there is currently no forecast of rain or thunderstorms during the match. The skies are expected to remain mostly clear with minimal cloud cover, ensuring a full uninterrupted contest.
The dry conditions and hard surface are likely to further assist batting, making another high-scoring IPL playoff clash highly probable.
What Happens If Rain Interrupts The Match?
Although rain is not expected, IPL playoff regulations remain in place in case weather conditions unexpectedly change.
If the SRH vs RR Eliminator faces interruptions, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will be used to revise targets in a shortened game. In extreme circumstances, officials may also use a Super Over to decide the result.
However, there are no reserve days for the IPL 2026 Eliminator. If the match is completely washed out without a result, Sunrisers Hyderabad would qualify for the next round as they finished above Rajasthan Royals in the league-stage points table.
SRH And RR Eye Crucial Knockout Victory
Both teams have displayed explosive batting form during IPL 2026, and the batting-friendly conditions in Mullanpur could once again shift the spotlight onto aggressive stroke play and power hitting.
With big-match pressure, a high-scoring venue, and playoff qualification on the line, fans can expect an intense knockout battle between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday night.