IPL 2025 playoff scenarios - RCB need one point, KKR eliminated
Six teams are still in contention for the IPL 2025 playoffs
S Rajesh
17-May-2025 • 5 hrs ago
The washout in Bengaluru in the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) means that KKR are out of the tournament. There are now six teams fighting for the four playoff spots. Here's a look at how those teams stack up.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Played: 12, Points: 17, NRR: 0.482
Remaining matches: SRH (home), LSG (away)
Played: 12, Points: 17, NRR: 0.482
Remaining matches: SRH (home), LSG (away)
After the abandoned game in Bengaluru, RCB need one more point to seal their place in the playoffs. With 17, they aren't quite there yet as five teams can still finish on 17 or more points. That can happen if Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) but lose their last two games, to Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI). If MI beat DC, then RCB, MI, GT, DC and PBKS can all finish on 17 or more points with eight wins, in which case run rates will come into play.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11, Points: 15, NRR: 0.376
Remaining matches: RR (a), DC (Jaipur), MI (Jaipur)
Played: 11, Points: 15, NRR: 0.376
Remaining matches: RR (a), DC (Jaipur), MI (Jaipur)
PBKS need two wins to be certain of qualification. At the moment, 17 points won't assure qualification as five teams can get to 17 or more, as explained above. However, PBKS can qualify with 17 points if they beat DC and lose their other two matches, as in that case, only one of MI or DC can finish on 17 or more points, since they play each other.
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 two other matches, so that they stay on 15, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will have to win no more than two of their three games. It'll then come down to run rates between PBKS and DC for one spot.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.793
Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), CSK (h)
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.793
Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), CSK (h)
Gujarat Titans (GT) are just one win away from making the playoffs - 18 points will 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 in Ahmedabad, where they have a formidable 4-1 record so far. Their net run rate is currently second only to Mumbai Indians (MI), which could help them with qualification or a top-two finish.
Mumbai Indians
Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 1.156
Remaining matches: DC (h), PBKS (Jai)
Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 1.156
Remaining matches: DC (h), PBKS (Jai)
Despite the loss to GT, MI are still in control of their 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.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.362
Remaining matches: GT (h), MI (a), PBKS (Jai),
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.362
Remaining matches: GT (h), MI (a), PBKS (Jai),
A lucky point due to a washout against SRH has given DC a valuable point in their qualification bid. Fifteen 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: -0.469
Remaining matches: SRH (h), GT (a), RCB (h)
Played: 11, Points: 10, NRR: -0.469
Remaining matches: SRH (h), GT (a), RCB (h)
LSG are 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 one or more of the in-form teams suffer a sudden reversal of fortunes. If they lose another match, though, they will be eliminated. Their terrible NRR of -0.469 doesn't help their cause either.
S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. @rajeshstats