
Mumbai and Kolkata hosted two high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clashes on Sunday (May 24). While Rajasthan Royals (RR) grabbed the final playoff spot with a commanding performance at Wankhede, Delhi Capitals (DC) signed off their campaign on a winning note against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Fans witnessed explosive batting, sharp bowling, and plenty of drama in these dead-rubber yet thrilling encounters.
Rajasthan Royals posted a formidable 205/8 after Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision backfired as RR’s top order set a strong platform before the middle order accelerated. Jofra Archer starred with the bat, smashing a quickfire 32 off just 15 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with an unbeaten 19. Nandre Burger added 10 not out in the death overs.
Mumbai Indians' chase never gained momentum. Archer turned the game with the ball too, picking up 3 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs, including a four-ball duck for Rohit Sharma. Suryakumar Yadav fought hard with 60 off 42 balls, but the home side could only manage 175/9 in 20 overs. RR cruised to a 30-run victory and confirmed their playoff spot with 16 points, pipping Punjab Kings, who were on 15 points. Playoffs now line up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 and RR taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator.
Jofra Archer earned Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance. The win not only boosted RR’s confidence heading into the knockouts but also highlighted their balanced squad. Mumbai Indians, already out of contention, ended the season on a disappointing note despite flashes of individual brilliance.
In the night match at Eden Gardens, Delhi Capitals posted 203/5 after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to field first. KL Rahul led the charge with a blistering 60 off 30 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes), supported by Axar Patel’s 39 and handy contributions from David Miller (28) and Sahil Parakh (24). The innings featured clean striking and smart rotation, reaching the 200-mark comfortably.
KKR’s reply started promisingly but crumbled under pressure. Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with a gritty 63 off 39 balls, and Rovman Powell added 29, yet the middle order collapsed. Kuldeep Yadav spun a web with 3/29 in four overs, while Lungi Ngidi and Mitchell Starc shared five wickets between them. KKR were bundled out for 163 in 18.4 overs, handing DC a comfortable 40-run win.
Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match. DC finished sixth on the table with seven wins. KKR, who fought hard in the second half of the league, also bowed out without a playoff ticket.
Rajasthan Royals head into the playoffs with momentum, while Delhi Capitals can hold their heads high after a gritty season. Mumbai and Kolkata fans will look back at moments of brilliance but ultimately rue inconsistent performances. The stage is now set for the much-awaited playoffs.
Stay updated with all the latest news and insights on Cricket, Football, and Tennis at Livemint Sports.
Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.