Which Team Has the Best Chance to Qualify for the 4th Position in the IPL 2025 Playoffs?
After Game 60 of IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have sealed their playoff spots. The race for the fourth position now comes down to a virtual elimination between the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The winner of this high-stakes clash will secure the final playoff berth and join the top three teams in the next stage.
The IPL 2025 is now entering its final and most exciting phase, with only 10 league matches left. The race for the playoffs is heating up, and every game from here on will be crucial. After Game 60 between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, three teams have officially secured their place in the playoffs: Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings. These teams will now look to keep up the momentum and try to finish in the top two for an extra chance in the knockout round. Now, only one playoff spot remains, and three teams are still in the hunt for it: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.
| Rank | Team | Matches | Won | Loss | Tie | N/R | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans (Q) | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0.795 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q) | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0.482 |
| 3 | Punjab Kings (Q) | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0.389 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1.156 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 12 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0.260 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0.193 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -0.469 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -1.192 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.701 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.992 |
Each of these teams knows that even one loss can hurt their chances, so every match will feel like a do-or-die situation. Among the remaining matches, one of the biggest games will be between the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. This match could work as a virtual eliminator — the winner could grab that fourth playoff spot. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants will be hoping for wins in their remaining games and other results to go their way. With such tight competition and limited time left, fans can expect thrilling finishes as teams fight to stay alive in the IPL 2025 playoff race.
Qualification Scenarios for Each Team
With six teams still in contention, the top three, Gujarat Titans, RCB, and Punjab Kings, will aim to secure a top-two finish. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and LSG are locked in a fierce battle for the final playoff spot. Here’s what each team needs to qualify.
1. Gujarat Titans
Currently, at the top of the table in the IPL 2025, the Gujarat Titans have assembled a strong squad that has consistently delivered under pressure. Led by Shubman Gill, GT became the first team to qualify for the playoffs after a convincing win over the Delhi Capitals. With 12 matches played, GT has 9 wins and 3 losses, placing them on 18 points with a net run rate of +0.795. With two league matches still to go, the Gujarat Titans have a golden opportunity to seal a top-two finish, which would give them two chances to reach the final.
𝐐, hila daala na?! 🤌💙 pic.twitter.com/JtxMfGGNhF
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 18, 2025
Their remaining fixtures are both at home in Ahmedabad — first against Lucknow Super Giants on May 22 and then against Chennai Super Kings on May 25. If Gujarat wins even one of these two matches, they will most likely confirm a top-two finish. However, if they win both, they will end the league stage with 22 points, guaranteeing the number one position unless another team achieves the same with a better NRR.
2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
For the RCB team, a big opportunity lies ahead where they need to keep winning to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the top two of the IPL 2025 table. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already secured a place in the playoffs after Gujarat Titans defeated Delhi Capitals. Now sitting in second place with 17 points from 12 matches, RCB can reach a total of 21 points if they win their final two league games. Their next two matches are crucial, they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on May 23 and then travel to Lucknow to take on the Super Giants on May 27.
May 18th, again: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧! 🔥
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2025
We cherish the moment, but eyes stay on the mission. 🎯🙌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #Season18 pic.twitter.com/nAQFohs0iF
Winning both games will put RCB in a strong position to finish in the top two. However, their fate will also depend on how Gujarat Titans perform in their remaining matches. If GT lose at least one of their last two games and RCB win both, the Bengaluru side could leapfrog them into the top spot depending on net run rate. With a current NRR of +0.482, RCB will need to win big if it comes down to a run-rate battle.
3. Punjab Kings
The criteria for the Punjab Kings to finish in the top 2 is same as that of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team who has been dominant in recent weeks. Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, have also confirmed their qualification for the IPL 2025 playoffs after 12 games, collecting 17 points with a net run rate of +0.389. They are currently placed third on the table and are now eyeing a top two finish. To make that happen, PBKS must win both of their remaining matches, first against Delhi Capitals on May 24 and then against Mumbai Indians on May 26, both to be played in Jaipur.
Punjabi aa gaye oyee! 🕺🏻🔥 pic.twitter.com/cZMiWUI2i6
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 18, 2025
If they do that, they will reach 21 points. However, that alone won’t be enough to guarantee a top 2 finish. For that to happen, either Gujarat Titans or Royal Challengers Bengaluru must lose at least one of their remaining games. PBKS will also have to keep an eye on net run rate. RCB currently hold a slight edge in that department, and GT’s net run rate is even stronger. So, apart from just winning, PBKS will be aiming for convincing victories to boost their NRR.
4. Mumbai Indians
For the Mumbai Indians team, there is a lot of clarity to secure their spot in the IPL Playoffs as they must win both of their remaining matches to qualify. Currently on 14 points from 12 matches with an impressive net run rate of +1.156, MI is in a strong position numerically, but there is no room for error. Two more victories will push them to 18 points — enough to seal the final Top 4 spot. Their next fixture, against Delhi Capitals on May 21 at Wankhede, is shaping up to be a virtual eliminator.
𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘤, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 🤩⚡#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/J7JAWlxJlv
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 18, 2025
DC are also fighting for the same spot and currently sit on 13 points. With Lucknow Super Giants still mathematically alive, this MI vs DC clash becomes extremely crucial, as only one of these two sides can likely go through. If MI beat Delhi, they will knock them out of contention and then face Punjab Kings in Jaipur on May 26 in what could be another high-stakes clash. Given MI’s healthy net run rate, if they win both games, it’s highly probable they will finish in the Top 4.
5. Delhi Capitals
The first half of the IPL looked completely in control for the Delhi Capitals but in the second half, the team has struggled to maintain momentum. After suffering a crucial defeat against Gujarat Titans, Delhi now finds itself on the edge of elimination. With just 13 points from 12 matches, they must win both of their remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their upcoming fixture against Mumbai Indians on May 21 at Wankhede is a virtual knockout.
We regroup and go again on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/f5jxq7CwUz
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 18, 2025
Both teams are fighting for the final playoff spot, and a loss here would certainly end Delhi’s campaign. Even if they win that game and the next against Punjab Kings on May 24 in Jaipur, DC will only reach 17 points. That might not be enough for direct qualification, and their fate could be decided by Net Run Rate and how Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants perform in their remaining matches. DC’s current NRR of +0.260 is decent but not dominant, especially when compared to MI’s +1.156. Therefore, not only must DC win, but they may also have to win convincingly.
6. Lucknow Super Giants
The team with the least chance to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs is the Lucknow Super Giants. They face a tough challenge ahead, needing to win all three of their remaining matches to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. If LSG manages to win these games, they will reach 16 points, but even then, their fate will likely depend on Net Run Rate (NRR) and how other teams perform.
Home feels better with you in the stands 💙 pic.twitter.com/wP7VAhm2rH
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 18, 2025
LSG’s upcoming fixtures include matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 19 at home, Gujarat Titans on May 22 in Ahmedabad, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 27 again at home. Each game will be crucial, and with only three chances left, there is very little room for error. Currently sitting at 10 points with a negative NRR of -0.469, LSG needs to win convincingly to improve its run rate. Even if they succeed in winning all their matches, other results must also go in their favour for them to make it to the top four.
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