Four teams are now vying for the top two spots in the IPL 2025 playoff race: Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI). With the knockout stages set, the order of finish is crucial.
Finishing in the top two has a significant advantage. The teams that achieve this will play each other in Qualifier 1 on 29 May. The victor of Qualifier 1 earns a direct path to the final, while the loser gets another shot in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator, a face-off between the third and fourth-placed teams.
Gujarat Titans currently lead the table with 18 points and a net run rate of 0.795. They face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Ahmedabad for their final matches. Winning both will place them firmly at No. 1 on 22 points, unbeatable by any team. If GT win only one, their position in the top two is not guaranteed should RCB and PBKS win both their matches. Yet, losing both still offers a path to the top two, contingent on other results.
RCB and PBKS are neck and neck at 17 points, separated by slight differences in net run rate. RCB have fixtures against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and LSG, seeming less challenging. PBKS will meet Delhi Capitals (DC) and MI in Jaipur. If GT win both, only one between RCB and PBKS can join the top two. However, if GT drop a game, then both RCB and PBKS could secure those coveted spots by winning their own fixtures.
Mumbai Indians find themselves at 16 points with a strong net run rate of 1.292. Their final chance to influence their position comes against PBKS on 26 May. Unfortunately, MI’s top-two fate relies on other outcomes. They need only one of GT, RCB, or PBKS to fall short of 18 points, combined with MI’s victory, to have a chance.
Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody and MI’s Piyush Chawla have highlighted MI’s potential vulnerabilities, noting the impact of unavailable key players like Bosch and Rickelton. “It will be interesting to see how their replacements hold up under pressure,” says Tom Moody.
In summary, while MI must patiently wait and hope, RCB, PBKS, and GT have control over their playoff destinies. The concluding days of league matches promise intense competition as teams vie for those critical positions.
Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue their quest for IPL glory. The climax is eagerly awaited by fans and players alike, each outcome shaping the path to the final triumph.
