IPL 2026: 12 years after heartbreak, Rajasthan Royals realise playoffs dream at Wankhede

Sometimes life is all about a second chance, and true champions never let the second opportunity go to waste. Rajasthan Royals (RR) experienced something similar as they sealed their berth in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) playoffs with a 30-run victory against Mumbai Indians (MI). The Riyan Parag-led side came into the fixture with their campaign hanging by a loose thread and desperately needing a win to progress ahead.

However, RR weren’t willing to go down without a fight and continued with a positive approach, despite losing wickets at regular intervals during their innings. After their wonder kid, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, departed cheaply, and Rajasthan were reduced to 119/5 in 12.5 overs, they still put up a great fight to post a good score of 205/8 in their 20 overs.

Later, a collective effort from the entire bowling unit helped them stop MI at 175 and advance to the playoffs. It was fitting that Rajasthan’s victory came against the same opposition and at the same venue, where they suffered one of the cruellest heartbreaks in IPL history. During the 2014 season, RR had to stop MI from chasing 190 in 14.4 overs in their last league fixture to seal their berth in the playoffs.

When Wankhede broke Rajasthan's heart in 2014

From the outset, it almost seemed an impossible task, but nobody in their wildest dreams could've predicted the drama that followed.

Corey Anderson (95* off 44) and Ambati Rayudu (30 off 10) batted out of their skins while Aditya Tare (6* off 1) famously struck the much-needed six off the final delivery to help Mumbai complete a mind-boggling chase and snatch away Rajasthan’s playoffs dream.

Their agony was best captured by the image of Rahul Dravid, who’s known to be the calmest and most composed person on the cricketing field. However, on that occasion, the emotions even got the better of the RR mentor, who took off his cap and threw it in disgust, seeing Rajasthan’s dream being diminished right before his eyes.

The defeat went on to become one of the lowest moments in Rajasthan Royals’ history, a wound that became difficult to forget. However, fast-forward to 2026, Rajasthan were finally offered the opportunity to rewrite the narrative.

12 years later RR find redemption

Their victory against Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, with another qualification on the line, must have helped RR heal those wounds from the past as they now move ahead in the tournament. The win not only sealed their playoffs berth but also rewrote a painful chapter that had haunted the franchise for over a decade.

RR finally grabbed the opportunity that slipped through their fingers 12 years ago and replaced despair with triumph. The beauty of sport is that it always gives you a second chance, and on a nostalgic evening in Mumbai, Rajasthan ensured that they didn’t let it slip away again.