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Fate hangs heavy on the last hours of IPL 2026’s regular rounds. Rajasthan Royals face now-or-never tension, battling for a place among the finalists. Just before their make-or-break duel with the Mumbai Indians, fortune swings their way - two sudden boosts arrive without warning.

On Sunday, May 24, Rajasthan Royals might finally get their firepower back when they meet Mumbai Indians at Wankhede - a game that simply has to be won. Hope rides on seeing both Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja stepping onto the field again.

With victory, RR keep their destiny alive in IPL 2026, staying firmly in control of their playoff chances. Everything comes down to the last round of matches; one result shifts it all.

Riyan Parag’s injury relief

Out cold with a pulled muscle, Riyan Parag sat out when the Royals beat Lucknow at home. That night, young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blazed through with 93 under bright lights. Leadership fell to Jaiswal, who guided the chase smoothly to a seven-wicket finish. Meanwhile, Jadeja stayed off the field again, which marks his second match resting.

Back problems weren't his only issue; a tight hamstring kept Parag out of the game at home against the Gujarat Titans earlier that month, too.

Ravindra Jadeja's injury has resolved

Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t played the last two games this season - one on the road against Delhi Capitals, another at home facing LSG. Not long after the DC match, Riyan Parag mentioned rest was the reason.

Later, though, RR's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, clarified that a minor knee problem kept him out. Word came through about some strain in his elbow, too. Missing those games wasn’t just out of caution; it stemmed from real discomfort.

Also read: KKR suffer huge playoff blow as star batter ruled out of IPL 2026 ahead of DC game

Back in the squad, Ravindra Jadeja and Riyan Parag look ready for the crucial match against MI after clearing fitness checks. Training late at Wankhede, Jadeja spent time bowling first, then stayed longer at the crease, swinging the bat. Not seen during net sessions, Riyan Parag still stands next in line to return, possibly reclaiming the captaincy from Jaiswal. With both players available, the Royals adjust plans ahead of the high-pressure clash.

RR's Predicted Best XI vs Mumbai Indians

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sushant Mishra, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja

The Qualification Equation

If RR win today, they hit 16 points right away. That locks in fourth place, no guesswork needed. Their next game would then be the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and nothing more to sort out.

Out of a loss might leave them behind, Punjab Kings sit just above, while Kolkata Knight Riders could leapfrog the 2008 winners via Net Run Rate after facing Delhi Capitals at home today. Leadership returned, experience restored, Rajasthan now hold what it takes to shape its path forward.

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