The wait is over. The IPL 2025 playoff picture is now officially clear and so is the battle ahead.
After a tense post-resumption phase, the four teams heading into the knockouts are confirmed: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Who qualified and how
- RCB were the first to book their spot. A washed-out game against KKR took them to 17 points – enough to seal qualification.
- GT followed with a crushing win over Delhi Capitals, reaching 18 points – the highest so far.
- PBKS, powered by a strong Net Run Rate (NRR), also locked in their place with 17 points.
- The last team to qualify was MI, who defeated Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede on 21 May. The 29-run win pushed them to 16 points and knocked DC out of the race.
Who’s out
This result officially ruled out Delhi Capitals (DC) from IPL 2025 playoffs. Alongside them, KKR, RR, SRH, LSG, and CSK are also eliminated. Even with Net Run Rate calculations, none of these teams have a path forward.
MI vs DC: The final decider
Batting first, MI posted 180/5, thanks to a late onslaught by Suryakumar Yadav (73 off 43) and Naman Dhir (24* off 8). The pair added 62 runs in the final four overs.
DC’s chase fell apart early. They lost KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis within the powerplay. With Axar Patel out due to illness, DC never recovered. MI spinners Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner tightened the noose, and the Capitals were bowled out under pressure.
The new focus: Top-two showdown
The playoffs are set to begin on 29 May, but the remaining league matches are far from meaningless. All four qualified teams RCB, GT, PBKS, and MI are still in contention for a top-two finish.
Why does this matter? Teams finishing in the top two play Qualifier 1, giving them a second chance to reach the final even if they lose their first playoff match.
Who can make it to top two?
- GT are best placed with 18 points and a healthy NRR.
- RCB and PBKS, both on 17 points, can climb higher with one more win.
- MI, currently on 16, will need to win and hope other results go their way.
With seven league matches left, these rankings can still shift. Each run, wicket, and over could change who gets that vital second life in the knockouts.
The IPL 2025 playoff battle is over, but the real war for strategic advantage has just begun. With only a few games left before the knockouts, every moment counts. The focus now shifts from qualification to positioning and the race for the top two is officially on.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | NRR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GT | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | +0.795 | 18 |
| 2 | RCB | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | +0.482 | 17 |
| 3 | PBKS | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | +0.389 | 17 |
| 4 | MI | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | +1.292 | 16 |
| 5 | DC | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | -0.019 | 13 |
| 6 | KKR | 13 | 5 | 6 | 2 | +0.193 | 12 |
| 7 | LSG | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | -0.506 | 10 |
| 8 | SRH | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | -1.005 | 9 |
| 9 | RR | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | -0.549 | 8 |
| 10 | CSK | 13 | 3 | 10 | 0 | -1.030 | 6 |
