Love Guru Scam: Second Rajasthan Accused Arrested in Ahmedabad

With the league stage wrapped up, the IPL 2026 playoffs have been locked in, and the excitement in the cricketing circles of Hyderabad is palpable. Rajasthan Royals have edged into the final four after a decisive 30‑run victory over the five‑time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, securing the fourth berth and knocking out Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders from the race.

The top three spots were already in place before the final round of matches. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) topped the table with 18 points and a superior net run rate, while Gujarat Titans (GT) also amassed 18 points but settled for second place due to a slightly lower net run rate. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finished third with 18 points as well, but their net run rate placed them behind the Bengaluru‑Titans pair.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) finished the league stage with 16 points from 14 matches, their eighth win ensuring they stayed just a point ahead of Punjab Kings, who were eliminated. The Royals’ win also meant Kolkata Knight Riders, sitting on 13 points, missed out on the playoffs. Mumbai Indians, despite a storied history, ended the season in ninth place with just ten points, narrowly escaping the wooden spoon thanks to a marginally better run‑rate than Lucknow Super Giants.

The playoff schedule is now crystal clear. Qualifier 1 will see RCB take on GT on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, kicking off at 7:30 PM IST. The winner of this clash will march straight into the final, which is set for May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Qualifier 2 is slated for May 29, also at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The loser of Qualifier 1 will face the victor of the Eliminator in this match, with the winner earning the second spot in the final.

The Eliminator pits third‑placed SRH against fourth‑placed RR on May 27, same venue, same time. The stakes are high; the loser goes home, while the winner gets a lifeline in Qualifier 2.

Rajasthan’s surge to the playoffs was anchored by a stellar all‑round performance from England pacer Jofra Archer. In the must‑win league game against Mumbai, Archer smashed 32 runs off just 15 balls, propelling the Royals to a formidable 205‑8 total. He then turned the tables with the ball, claiming 3‑17 in four overs, helping to restrict Mumbai to 175‑9.

Archer’s innings was a blend of power and finesse. After a shaky start that saw the Royals lose 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for four and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 27 off 17 balls, the middle order steadied the ship. Dhruv Jurel (38) and Dasun Shanaka (29) added a brisk 45 runs off 27 balls before a brief wobble saw the Royals slip to 139‑6. Archer then unleashed three sixes in a 15‑ball cameo, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed a quick 19‑not‑out off 11, taking the total past the 200‑run mark.

On the bowling front, Archer struck early, removing Rohit Sharma for a duck and dismissing Naman Dhir for six, leaving Mumbai reeling at 18‑2 in 2.3 overs. Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma followed with wickets, reducing Mumbai to 38‑4 after the powerplay. Though Suryakumar Yadav tried to revive the chase with a 60‑off‑42, the Royals’ disciplined bowling, especially Archer’s wicket of Hardik Pandya, ensured the chase fell short.

While Archer shone, the season has been a mixed bag for several stars. Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian fast‑bowling ace, endured a historically poor season, becoming the first bowler in IPL history to finish with a bowling average over 100 – 102.5 to be exact. The 32‑year‑old managed only four wickets all season, his best figures being 1‑15 against GT in Ahmedabad. Previously, the dubious record belonged to former spinner Pragyan Ojha, who posted a 95 average in 2014.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t mince words about Mumbai’s slump. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin lamented the team’s under‑performance, noting that despite having quality players, the side seemed “a bit strange” this year. He warned that if Mumbai fails to turn things around in 2027, it wouldn’t be surprising. Ashwin also highlighted Bumrah’s record‑breaking average, calling it a first in IPL history for a bowler who completed a full season.

The Royals’ triumph over Mumbai also had a ripple effect on the league table. With their win, they secured the fourth playoff slot, pushing Punjab Kings out despite the latter’s earlier hope of qualifying. Kolkata Knight Riders, sitting sixth with 13 points, also missed the cut, while Delhi Capitals were already out after a late loss.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite finishing third, will have to battle Rajasthan in the Eliminator. Their campaign saw them amass 18 points, but a lower net run rate kept them behind the top two teams. The Eliminator will be a high‑stakes encounter at the New Chandigarh stadium, where a single slip could end their dream of a title.

RCB, the defending champions, will look to capitalize on their top‑seed advantage in Qualifier 1. Their strong net run rate gave them the edge over GT, despite both teams finishing with 18 points. GT, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after a solid league performance and aim for the final via Qualifier 2.

The final is set for May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a venue that has witnessed numerous IPL finals. The winner of Qualifier 1 will enjoy a direct entry, while the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2, making the path to the trophy both challenging and thrilling.

Looking ahead, the IPL 2026 playoffs promise a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent battling for the coveted trophy. Fans in Hyderabad and across India are gearing up for a week of high‑octane cricket, with each match carrying the weight of a city’s hopes.

As the tournament moves into its knockout phase, the pressure will mount on teams to deliver under lights, and every decision—be it a toss, a batting order tweak, or a bowling change—could tilt the balance. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the cricketing nation waits with bated breath.

The IPL 2026 playoffs are now set, with Rajasthan Royals joining the elite quartet. Fans can expect nail‑biting finishes as the best teams clash for the championship.

📋 Disclaimer

The analysis presented in this article is purely based on the author's understanding and opinions derived from various reliable sources. The author has reviewed multiple sources to present this analysis.

If any information is found to be incorrect or misleading, it is purely a mistake originating from the source material and the author shall not be held responsible for the same. The author is sharing personal analysis on the topic based on what the sources have reported.