The comprehensive Gujarat Titans (GT) win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has confirmed a top-two position for them on the IPL 2026 league table, with a net run-rate of 0.695.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), already on 18 points with an NRR of 1.065, are favourites to join them there, though Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), with 16 points and an NRR of 0.350, have a slim chance of going past RCB when they take them on at home on Friday.
To do that, SRH will have to inflict on RCB the sort of defeat that GT inflicted upon CSK. The table below lists the win margins required for SRH if they bat first, depending on the runs they put up.
For a range of totals between 180 and 240, SRH need victory margins between 87 and 89 runs. In the eight matches that they have won against RCB, only once has the margin been more than 50 runs - way back in 2019, when they won by 118 runs.
If SRH chase, they will have to reach their target in about 11 to 11.4 overs, depending on the target, and whether they score the exact target required or level scores and then win with a six.
In four night games in Hyderabad so far this season, the lowest score by the team batting first - SRH, who were put in to bat on each occasion - has been 194. SRH have won each of those games, which might suggest that the best option for them will be to bat first and post a huge total. However, unlike in the match on Thursday, where CSK had no option but to go for a win, RCB will know exactly how many they need to score to secure a top-two position.
GT's win also ensures that Rajasthan Royals (RR) have no chance of finishing among the top two. The best they can do is beat Mumbai Indians (MI) and make the playoffs as the third or fourth team.
