The rain match between RCB and KKR resulted in the vuliminated Kolkata from the tournament. Now six teams are competing for the four Playoff positions.
The race for the top four positions in IPL 2025 is intensified after the leaching of the game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday. The upcoming double header on Sunday, May 18 with Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) opposite Gujarat Titans (GT), is ready to significantly influence the play-off landscape.
As it looks now, the fourth-placed Mumbai Indians (MI) will collide later in the season with the fifth Delhi Capitals (DC) and ensure that at least one of these teams above Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ends.
In the meantime, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is getting closer to securing a play -off place. The no-different of their recent competition brings the total from RCB to 17 points, so that they will be placed at the top of the IPL 2025 rankings for the time being. However, a series of improbable results can still jeopardize their Playoff ambitions.
Let us investigate how these teams are positioned as the tournament progresses.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB needs another point to secure a play -off place after an abandoned match in Bengaluru. With 17 points they are not guaranteed a place because five teams can also end with 17 points or more. This scenario could act as Punjab Kings Rajasthan Royals, but their next two games are losing against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. If Mumbai Delhi, RCB, MI, GT, DC and PBKs beats, they can all end with at least 17 points, making running speeds a factor in determining the play -off spots.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
PBKS has to win two games to guarantee the qualification. Currently, 17 points may not guarantee a place, because five teams can achieve that total. However, if PBKS defeats DC but loses the other two games, they can still qualify, because only one of Mi or DC (who play against each other) can end with 17 points.
It is also possible for PBKs to qualify with 15 points if they all lose competitions, provided that DC loses both their other games and Luckknow Super Giants (LSG) does not win more than two of their remaining games. In that scenario, the qualification would depend on the running speed between PBKS and DC.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
The Gujarat Titans (GT) need only one victory to get a place in the play-offs, because 18 points guarantee them a top-four finish. However, if they lose their last three games, they run the risk of being eliminated, because four other teams can also reach 17 or more points. The Titans have an advantage with their last two games at home in Ahmedabad, where they have a strong record of 4-1. Moreover, their net run rate is currently the second best, which can help in qualifying or achieving a top-two finish.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mi can still make the play -offs despite losing GT. If they win their last two games, they will secure a place in the play -offs. However, achieving qualification with 16 points can depend on the results of other teams. If Mi loses both remaining games, they are eliminated. They also have a strong net running speed of 1,156, which can play a key role in their chances.
Delhi Capitals
DC received a valuable point of a leaching against SRH and helped their qualification. To secure a top-four finish, they must reach 15 points, but that depends on other match results. Collecting 17 points can also make them dependent on results with other teams. Winning all three remaining competitions is essential for qualification, but it will be a challenge because they have only won one of their last five games.
LuckNow Super Giants (LSG)
LSG stands for challenges and has lost three consecutive games and four of their last five. They can only end with 16 points if they win their remaining three games and hope that stronger teams will falter. However, if they lose another competition, they are eliminated. Their negative net running speed of -0.469 also makes their situation difficult.
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