The top-two teams of the Indian Premier League 2026 have finally been confirmed after Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their final league-stage fixture.
Despite suffering a 55-run defeat, RCB managed to remain at the top of the IPL 2026 points table due to their superior net run rate and are now set to lock horns with Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1.
RCB remain table toppers despite defeat, Qualifier 1 details confirmed
Even after losing the game against SRH, RCB’s excellent net run rate ensured that they did not slip from the top position on the points table.
The Bengaluru franchise will now play Qualifier 1 as they continue their quest to defend the IPL title.
Qualifier 1 is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 26, at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, which will act as a neutral venue for the blockbuster clash.
Both RCB and GT head into the playoffs with identical records, making the encounter one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
RCB finished the league stage with nine wins and five defeats and managed to retain the top spot because of the best net run rate among all teams.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans also ended the league stage with nine wins and five losses.
Interestingly, the head-to-head record between the two sides is perfectly balanced. In eight IPL meetings so far, both franchises have won four matches each.
SRH crush RCB by 55 runs in Hyderabad
Earlier in the match, SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first against RCB at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
The SRH batting lineup completely dismantled the RCB bowling attack and piled up a massive total of 255 runs.
Abhishek Sharma smashed 56 runs off 22 balls while Ishan Kishan hammered 79 off 46 deliveries.
Later in the innings, Heinrich Klaasen added 51 off 24 balls and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with 29 runs off just 12 deliveries.
Chasing the mammoth target, RCB got off to a flying start as openers Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli stitched together 60 runs in only 4.3 overs.
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However, Venkatesh departed after a blistering 44 off 19 balls while Kohli was dismissed for 15 off 11 deliveries.
Later, Devdutt Padikkal scored 21 off 14, Rajat Patidar played a fighting knock of 56 off 39 balls, while Krunal Pandya scored 41 off 31 deliveries.
Tim David also chipped in with 15 off seven balls, but RCB could only manage 200 runs in the chase and eventually lost the contest by 55 runs.