Image: Seven teams battle for playoffs as IPL 2025 enters crunch stage / © IPL.com
The IPL 2025 is nearing its excitement stage where each game has become a race of elimination or going to the next round of the League and with the League intensifying, a total of 7 teams are still in the competition and they are competing for just 4 slots now as every team is now looking forward to their qualification scenario as the calculators are out now for each team to count the points and even keep a check on the Net Run Rate which might be a factor in the upcoming games now.
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Loss | No-Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 16 | +0.482 |
| 2 | Punjab Kings | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 15 | +0.376 |
| 3 | Mumbai Indians | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 14 | +1.274 |
| 4 | Gujarat Titans | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | +0.867 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 13 | +0.362 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | +0.249 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 10 | -0.469 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | -1.192 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 6 | -0.718 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 11 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 4 | -1.117 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the table with 16 points from 11 matches, followed closely by Punjab Kings with 15 points. Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans are tied at 14 points, but MI hold the edge with a strong Net Run Rate of 1.274. Delhi Capitals remain in the hunt with 13 points while Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants are at 11 and 10 points respectively and still have a chance if results go their way. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings are now officially eliminated from playoff contention after their inconsistent campaigns.
After being the top team on the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points from 11 matches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru find themselves in a strong but not yet secure position. Normally, 16 points would almost guarantee a playoff spot, but this season’s competition is tighter. With three matches left, against LSG (away), SRH (home), and KKR (home) — RCB needs at least two more wins to ensure qualification without depending on other teams’ results. If they win all three, a top-two finish is guaranteed.
The advantage lies in playing two of these matches at their home ground in Bengaluru, where they recently clinched back-to-back wins, including a last-ball thriller against CSK. However, the qualification is not fully sealed yet. If RCB loses all remaining matches, they can still sneak into the playoffs if other results fall in their favour. In such a case, the Net Run Rate could become the deciding factor for their progression.
The second team which has been doing well in IPL 2025 is Punjab Kings, who have climbed to 15 points after a crucial win against LSG in Dharamsala. This is the first time since 2014 that they’ve reached this mark during the league stage. With three matches left — two at home against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, and one away against Rajasthan Royals — Punjab Kings are in a strong position.
If they win two out of these three, their qualification to the playoffs will be confirmed. Even a single win could be enough if they maintain a healthy Net Run Rate. A win over Mumbai could also open up a chance to finish in the top two. However, if they lose all three games, their total will remain at 15, and with many teams still in the race, that might not be enough to secure a playoff spot.
Being the 5 times champions of the IPL Tournament, the Mumbai Indians team has found their strong momentum again with a six-match winning streak that has taken them into a solid playoff contention. Currently one of the most in-form teams in the competition, MI sit in a strong position thanks to their impressive Net Run Rate of 1.274 — the best among all sides. With three league games remaining — against GT and DC at home, and one away fixture versus Punjab Kings, they are in a position to seal qualification with wins in all three.
Wankhede has been a fortress for them this season with four wins in five matches, which boosts their chances against GT and DC. Even two wins might suffice if their superior NRR holds up. However, if they only manage one victory, they will need favourable results elsewhere. Despite their hot streak, MI still risk elimination if they lose all three remaining games.
The winners of the 2022 IPL who have been consistent performers since their debut, Gujarat Titans now find themselves in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs once again. With 14 points from 10 matches and the second-best Net Run Rate after Mumbai Indians, GT has four league matches remaining — two away fixtures against MI and DC, followed by two home games against LSG and CSK. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, who has led from the front with both bat and intent, the Titans look well-balanced and confident.
Their record at the Narendra Modi Stadium has been excellent, winning four of five matches there this season. If they win two of their remaining games, they are likely to qualify comfortably with 18 points and a healthy NRR. A third win would almost certainly place them in the top two. However, a single win may not be enough, as 16 points might not guarantee playoff qualification this year.
With a refreshed team and a strong desire to get back on track, Delhi Capitals are still in the race for the IPL 2025 playoffs after their rain-affected match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which ended in a draw, earning them one point. Currently in fifth place with 13 points from 11 matches, DC’s remaining three fixtures are against Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Mumbai Indians.
For the qualification, the Delhi Capitals should try getting 2 wins from the remaining 3 matches and a clean sweep would give them 19 points and secure a top-two finish, but even two wins could place them in a tricky position, depending on the performances of other teams. With their recent form showing some inconsistency, especially with three losses in the last five games, DC’s fate remains uncertain. They must now focus on turning things around to ensure a playoff berth.
Gaining form late in the ongoing IPL 2025, the Kolkata Knight Riders have managed to stay alive in the competition, with 11 points from 11 games. Despite a narrow one-run win over Rajasthan Royals, their qualification hopes remain uncertain. The defending champions can finish with a maximum of 17 points, but this might not guarantee a playoff spot as several teams can surpass them.
KKR need to win at least two of their remaining three matches to stay in the hunt, but even then, they will have to rely on other results, hoping that teams like MI, GT, DC, and LSG do not win their remaining games. A win in two games, leaving them with 15 points, still leaves their qualification dependent on the outcomes of other matches. Any further defeats would almost certainly see KKR eliminated, highlighting the importance of their remaining fixtures.
The team from Lucknow and the team who hasn’t been able to get the desired results in IPL 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants, are struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive. Sitting at the seventh spot with a string of defeats, including a loss to Punjab Kings, they have a tough road ahead. With just 10 points from 11 matches, LSG can still reach a maximum of 16 points by winning all their remaining games, but even that may not guarantee a top-four finish due to their poor net run rate, which is the worst among the top teams.
Their remaining fixtures against RCB and GT, two of the best teams this season, add further challenge. LSG will need to win all three games by big margins and hope for favourable results elsewhere. A single more loss will confirm their elimination, making the task ahead difficult for the struggling side.