How Can MI, RCB, GT And PBKS Secure Top Two Finish In Race For IPL 2025 Playoffs
With seven matches remaining in the league stage, these four teams will be vying for the top two spots to ensure a second chance in the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians sealed the fourth and final playoff spot of IPL 2025 with a dominant win over Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. The Hardik Pandya-led side earned qualification with 16 points, following Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. With seven matches remaining in the league stage, these four teams will be vying for the top two spots to ensure a second chance in the playoffs. The third and fourth-placed teams will meet in a do-or-die Eliminator.
The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly punch their ticket to the final. Whereas, the second finalist will be decided in Qualifier 2, in which the winner of Eliminator will meet the team that lost in Qualifier 1.
Now, all four qualified teams remain in contention to finish in the top two, which keeps the competition alive despite an early ending of the playoff race. Let’s take a look at how GT, RCB, PBKS and MI can secure the top two places in IPL 2025 playoffs –
Gujarat Titans:
If GT win both of their remaining games (against Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings), they will finish with 22 points. As per the current scenario, no other team will be able to match that tally even by winning all their respective pending matches.
In the case of Gujarat ending the group stage with a single win, they need to hope for either Bengaluru or Punjab dropping points in at least one match to stay in the top two.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
RCB have a chance to register 21 points by winning the last two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 23) and Lucknow Super Giants (May 27). If they lose both and Punjab ensure at least one victory, Bengaluru will have to play the Eliminator.
Second scenario - RCB can claim top spot in the IPL table by winning one game and GT and PBKS losing both of their remaining fixtures.
Punjab Kings:
PBKS share the same points (17) with RCB after 12 matches. Back-to-back victories against Delhi and Mumbai will surely put Punjab in Qualifier 1. For PBKS and RCB to face each other in the first qualifier, the two have to win at least one game each, and GT must lose both.
If Gujarat finish with 20 points, and Punjab and RCB collect 19 each, the net run rate will decide the second spot.
Mumbai Indians:
MI must beat PBKS in their last league fixture to stay in contention with 18 points. However, they will reach the top two only if Punjab lose the other game against Delhi as well, and Bengaluru fails to win any of their last two matches.
