Rajasthan Royals (RR) remain one of the most fascinating franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). From scripting the league’s greatest underdog triumph in the inaugural season to producing thrilling playoff runs in recent years, the Royals have consistently found ways to stay relevant in the business end of the tournament.
Over the years, RR have built a reputation for backing young talent, making smart tactical decisions, and thriving in pressure situations. With IPL 2026 marking yet another playoff appearance for the franchise, the Royals will once again hope to turn momentum into silverware as they continue their pursuit of a second IPL crown.
Here’s how Rajasthan Royals have fared in IPL playoffs:
As the IPL playoffs are underway, let’s take a look at how Rajasthan Royals have performed on the biggest stage of the playoffs:
IPL 2008: Champions
Under the legendary Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals stunned the cricketing world in the inaugural IPL season. Despite lacking the star power of several other franchises, RR topped the league stage with 11 wins and carried that momentum into the playoffs. In the final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Yusuf Pathan played a sensational knock of 56 off 39 balls to help RR post a competitive total. The chase went down to the final over before the Royals held their nerve to secure a famous three-wicket win with one ball remaining, lifting their maiden IPL trophy.
IPL 2013: Qualifier 2
Led by Rahul Dravid, RR enjoyed a disciplined and balanced campaign to finish third in the standings. The Royals first defeated Delhi Daredevils in the Eliminator to move one step closer to the final. However, their journey ended in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI), where RR struggled with the bat while chasing a challenging target. Despite the defeat, the campaign was widely praised for the team’s consistency and tactical execution.
IPL 2015: Eliminator
Rajasthan Royals once again reached the playoffs after finishing fourth in the points table. Captained by Ajinkya Rahane for a major part of the campaign, RR showcased resilience throughout the league phase. In the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Royals fought hard but failed to chase down a stiff target. Their batting lineup could not maintain momentum during the middle overs, resulting in an early playoff exit.
IPL 2018: Eliminator
After returning from a two-year suspension, RR made an immediate impact by qualifying for the playoffs in IPL 2018. Led by Rahane, the Royals secured fourth place and booked an Eliminator clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Playing at Eden Gardens, RR struggled to build partnerships during the chase and eventually lost by 25 runs. Despite the defeat, their comeback season was considered a strong statement after two years away from the tournament.
IPL 2022: Runners-up
IPL 2022 marked one of RR’s finest campaigns in the modern era under Sanju Samson’s leadership. The Royals finished second in the league stage and featured one of the tournament’s most balanced squads. After losing Qualifier 1 to Gujarat Titans (GT), RR bounced back strongly in Qualifier 2 by defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru convincingly. However, in the final against GT, the Royals failed to defend their total and finished as runners-up, narrowly missing out on a second IPL title.
IPL 2024: Qualifier 2
Rajasthan Royals once again enjoyed a solid season under Samson and secured a place in the playoffs after finishing third in the standings. The team displayed consistency throughout the campaign, powered by impactful performances from both their batting and bowling units. RR progressed to Qualifier 2 but suffered a defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite flashes of brilliance from individual players, the Royals were unable to deliver a complete performance in the knockout clash, ending their title hopes.
IPL 2026: Reached Eliminator
The Royals secured a dramatic playoff qualification in IPL 2026 after defeating Mumbai Indians in a must-win clash at the Wankhede Stadium. The victory confirmed their place in the top four and kept their title ambitions alive. Jofra Archer made an impact with the ball and with the bat as well. RR are now set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator at New Chandigarh, where they will look to continue their playoff journey and move one step closer to another IPL final.
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