IPL 2025 scenarios: KKR in serious danger of missing out on playoffs
Despite defeat to the Titans, MI still have their fate in their own hands
S Rajesh
06-May-2025
With 13 matches to go in the league stage of IPL 2025, seven teams are still in contention to make it to the playoffs, while no team has secured a place in the top four yet. What do these seven teams need to do to make it?
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 12, Points: 11, NRR: 0.193Remaining matches: SRH (a), RCB (a)
The two-wicket defeat against Chennai Super Kings leaves Kolkata Knight Riders on the brink of elimination. With only two games to go, the maximum that KKR can get is 15 points; there are already two teams who have more than 15, while Punjab Kings are on 15 with three games to go.
Assuming that those three teams go through, KKR will have to hope that Mumbai Indians lose their two remaining matches and stay on 14. Since one of their matches is against Delhi Capitals, who are currently on 13, that will take DC to 15. The fourth spot will thus come down to an NRR battle between KKR and DC.
On the other hand, if Punjab Kings lose their three remaining matches, then MI will go past 15, while DC, PBKS and KKR could all be on 15 points, fighting for the fourth spot.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.793Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), CSK (h)
Gujarat Titans' last-ball win at the Wankhede means they're now just one win away from making the playoffs - 18 points will now assure a team of a top-four finish. However, if they lose their three remaining games they could get knocked out as four teams can still finish on 17 or more points. Titans have a favourable itinerary too, with their last two games scheduled at home, where they have a formidable 4-1 record so far.
Mumbai Indians
Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 1.156Remaining matches: PBKS (a), DC (h)
Despite the loss to GT, Mumbai Indians (MI) are still in control of their own destiny, as wins in their last two matches will ensure a place in the playoffs. For them to go through on 16 points, though, they'll need help from other results, while defeats in their two remaining games will eliminate them. MI also have an excellent net run rate of 1.156, which could yet be crucial if qualification comes down to that.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.482Remaining matches: LSG (a), SRH (h), KKR (h)
The washout between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC), and GT's win against MI, means that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are now only one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. That's because only four teams can make it to 18 or more points. RCB can also make the top four with 16 points if other results go their way. However, two wins will not yet guarantee a top-two finish as three teams can still finish with 20 or more points.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11, Points: 15, NRR: 0.376Remaining matches: DC (h), MI (h), RR (a)
With KKR's defeat to CSK, Punjab Kings will qualify for the playoffs if they beat DC, as DC play MI later and only one of those teams can then get to 17 or more. If PBKS lose to DC, they will need to win their last two and get to 19, as in that case DC and MI can both finish on 17 or more. PBKS can sneak through even if they lose all three matches and stay on 15, but for that to happen DC will have to lose their last two matches, so that they stay on 15, and LSG will have to win no more than two of their three games. It'll then come down to run rates between them (and KKR, if they win both matches) for one spot.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.362Remaining matches: PBKS (a), GT (h), MI (a)
A lucky point against SRH has halted a two-match losing sequence for DC and given them a bit of a breather. Fifteen points will push them into the top four only if several other results go in their favour, while 17 could also place them at the mercy of other results - it's still possible for five teams to finish on 17 or more points. Wins in all three remaining matches will ensure qualification, but that will require a huge reversal of form, given that they have only won one of their last five matches.
Lucknow Super Giants
Played: 11, Points: 10, NRR: -0.469Remaining matches: RCB (h), GT (a), SRH (h)
Like DC, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are also struggling for momentum, having lost three in a row, and four of their last five. The best they can do now is win their three remaining matches, finish on 16 points, and hope that a couple of in-form teams suffer a sudden reversal of fortunes. If they lose one more match, though, LSG will be eliminated. Their terrible NRR of -0.469 doesn't help their cause either.
S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. @rajeshstats