Image: IPL 2025 playoffs race tightens for top two spots / © CricXtasy
For the IPL 2025 playoffs, the 4 teams that will be advancing to the next stage have been finalized as of 21st May 2025. At the Wankhede Stadium, the Mumbai Indians managed to beat the Delhi Capitals by 59 runs, and hence, the 4th spot, which was vacant for the IPL playoffs, has now been filled. With Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians taking up the 4 spots, the rest of the teams now stand eliminated, and the battle for the top 2 begins.
Gujarat Titans are sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 9 wins from 12 matches and a strong net run rate of +0.795, having already collected 18 points. They have shown good consistency throughout the season with 3 straight wins in their last games and still have two more matches to go. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are right behind them with 17 points each from 12 matches. RCB has been on a dream run, winning 4 of their last 5 matches, and their net run rate of +0.482 keeps them slightly ahead of Punjab.
| Position | Team | M | W | L | N/R | PT | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 18 | +0.795 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 17 | +0.482 |
| 3 | Punjab Kings | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 17 | +0.389 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | +1.292 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -0.019 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +0.193 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | -0.506 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 9 | -1.005 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -0.549 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 13 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 6 | -1.030 |
Punjab Kings also have the same number of wins and points but a slightly lower NRR of +0.389. Mumbai Indians, with 8 wins in 13 matches, have secured 16 points and a solid net run rate of +1.292, the highest among the top four. However, they only have one league match left, so their chances of finishing in the top 2 depend on other results. As the final few games approach, the competition to finish in the top two, which gives a direct entry into Qualifier 1, is heating up between Gujarat, Bengaluru, and Punjab.
With the top 4 teams of IPL 2025 confirmed — Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians — the battle for the top two spots is heating up. Each team has a chance, but it all depends on their remaining matches and net run rate advantage.
Currently sitting at the top of the table in the IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) have 18 points from 12 matches, with 9 wins and 3 losses, boasting a strong net run rate of 0.795. To secure a top-2 finish, GT needs just one win from their remaining two games: against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 22 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 25, both at home in Ahmedabad. Winning both would guarantee GT the top spot
If they win only one, they’ll need either Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) or Punjab Kings (PBKS) to lose at least one of their remaining matches to ensure a top-2 position. GT’s favorable home record (4-1 this season) and high net run rate give them an edge. With Shubman Gill leading and a solid squad, GT is well-poised to clinch a top-2 spot and a strong playoff chance.
The team waiting for their first title in 18 years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is in a strong spot to secure a top-2 finish in IPL 2025. Currently second with 17 points from 12 matches (8 wins, 3 losses, 1 no-result) and a net run rate of 0.482, RCB have two games left: against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27, both in Lucknow.
Winning both would give them 21 points, strengthening their top-2 chances, though not guaranteeing it. If Gujarat Titans (18 points) win one of their two remaining matches, it could boost RCB’s cause. However, if RCB win only one, they’ll need Punjab Kings (17 points) to lose at least one of their two games to stay ahead. With Virat Kohli in form and a solid net run rate, RCB are well-placed to clinch a top-2 spot and a better playoff shot.
The third team in contention to become a top-2 finisher in IPL 2025 is Punjab Kings (PBKS), currently third with 17 points from 12 matches (8 wins, 3 losses, 1 no-result) and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.389. With two games left, against Delhi Capitals on May 24 and Mumbai Indians on May 26, both in Jaipur, PBKS can secure a top-2 spot by winning both, reaching 21 points.
However, they’ll also need Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB, 17 points, NRR 0.482) to lose both their remaining matches to avoid being overtaken. If PBKS win only one game, reaching 19 points, they must hope RCB loses at least one match and end with a lower NRR than PBKS’s 0.389.
The team that made it to the Playoffs now, Mumbai Indians (MI), is fourth in IPL 2025 with 16 points from 13 matches (8 wins, 5 losses) and a strong net run rate of 1.292. To finish in the top 2, MI must win their final match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 26 in Jaipur, reaching 18 points.
However, they also need Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB, 17 points) to lose both their remaining matches and PBKS (17 points) to lose against Delhi Capitals on May 24. This would allow MI to overtake both teams, leveraging their superior NRR. With only one game left, MI’s chances are slim but possible, especially with their high NRR giving them an edge if points are tied.
With all four teams of the IPL 2025 Playoffs decided, the rest of the league matches will determine the final top-2 spots for a better playoff position. Seven crucial games remain, starting May 22 and ending May 27, involving Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians, alongside other teams vying to influence the standings.
| Match No. | Date | Time (Local) | Venue | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Thu, 22 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 65 | Fri, 23 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 66 | Sat, 24 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Jaipur | Delhi Capitals | Punjab Kings |
| 67 | Sun, 25 May ’25 | 3:30 PM (D/N) | Ahmedabad | Gujarat Titans | Chennai Super Kings |
| 68 | Sun, 25 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 69 | Mon, 26 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Jaipur | Mumbai Indians | Punjab Kings |
| 70 | Tue, 27 May ’25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow | Lucknow Super Giants | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
On May 22, the Gujarat Titans face the Lucknow Super Giants in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM. A win could secure the Gujarat Titans’ top spot with their strong home record. On May 23, Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow at 7:30 PM. Royal Challengers Bengaluru need a victory to stay in the top-2 race. On May 24, Punjab Kings meet Delhi Capitals in Jaipur at 7:30 PM. A Punjab Kings win is vital to overtake the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
May 25 has two matches, Gujarat Titans versus Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad at 3:30 PM, where Gujarat Titans aim to seal the top spot, and Kolkata Knight Riders against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Delhi at 7:30 PM and On May 26, Mumbai Indians clash with Punjab Kings in Jaipur at 7:30 PM and Mumbai Indians must win and hope others lose to reach the top 2.
On May 27, Lucknow Super Giants face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow at 7:30 PM. Royal Challengers Bengaluru need this win to boost their points, and Gujarat Titans are favorites for the top spot with two home games, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are fighting for second. Mumbai Indians’ top-2 chance depends on their final game and other results.