With the teams for the playoffs decided, the top four are now competing to finish Nos. 1 and 2 in the points table
With the IPL 2025 playoffs teams now confirmed, the focus shifts to the intense competition among the top four – Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI) – to secure a top-two finish in the points table.
Finishing in the top two is crucial as it grants a direct path to the final via Qualifier 1 on May 29th. The loser of Qualifier 1 gets a second chance in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator (played between the 3rd and 4th placed teams).
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s chances:
Gujarat Titans (GT):
Current Standing: 18 points, Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.602.
Remaining Game: vs. CSK (Ahmedabad).
Outlook: Their recent loss to LSG has complicated their top-two aspirations. Even if they win their final game against CSK, reaching 20 points, they could still finish outside the top two if both RCB and PBKS win their remaining two matches (reaching 21 points each). However, GT could still secure a top-two spot even with a loss to CSK if RCB loses their last two matches and PBKS either beats MI, or both RCB and PBKS lose their remaining games.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Current Standing: 17 points, NRR of 0.482.
Remaining Games: vs. SRH (Lucknow), vs. LSG (Lucknow).
Outlook: RCB is on 17 points, with a slightly better NRR than PBKS. Their remaining fixtures against SRH and LSG appear to be comparatively easier. If GT finishes with 20 points, RCB can secure a top-two spot by winning both their remaining games, reaching 21 points. If GT loses both their games, RCB can still finish in the top two by winning just one of their last two matches. However, if RCB loses both remaining games, they cannot finish in the top two as GT is already ahead, and either PBKS or MI (who play each other) will overtake them.
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
Current Standing: 17 points, NRR of 0.389.
Remaining Games: vs. DC (Jaipur), vs. MI (Jaipur).
Outlook: Like RCB, PBKS is also on 17 points. Their fixtures against DC and MI are potentially tougher. If GT finishes with 20 points, PBKS can finish in the top two by winning both their remaining games, reaching 21 points. If GT loses both their games, PBKS can secure a top-two spot by winning one of their remaining two matches. If PBKS loses both remaining games, they will be overtaken by MI on points, and GT is already ahead of them.
Mumbai Indians (MI):
Current Standing: 16 points, NRR of 1.292.
Remaining Game: vs. PBKS (Jaipur).
Outlook: MI’s chances of a top-two finish are not in their own hands. By the time they play their final league game against PBKS on May 26th, GT, RCB, and PBKS might already be out of their reach. MI’s only pathway to a top-two finish is if no more than one of the other three teams surpasses 18 points, and MI themselves beat PBKS to also reach 18 points.
