As the IPL season nears its end, the playoff race is intensifying. The abandonment of the SRH vs DC match due to a wet outfield confirmed Sunrisers Hyderabad as the third team eliminated, joining Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings on the sidelines. That leaves seven teams still vying for the four coveted playoff spots. Among them, Royal Challengers Bengaluru appear to be in the strongest position, while Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals are locked in a fierce fight to keep their hopes alive.
IPL 2025 Playoff Race: Road to the Final Four
RCB Playoff Scenarios: Just One Win Needed to Seal the Spot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 1st Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 16 |
| NRR | +0.482 |
| Probability of Qualification | 95% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs LSG (Away) 2. vs SRH (Home) 3. vs KKR (Home) |
Summary: RCB are virtually assured of a playoff berth, needing just one win from their remaining three games to officially secure qualification. Two wins would likely guarantee a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1. However, their net run rate, while steady, isn’t dominant—so a heavy defeat in any of the matches could impact their final position if multiple teams end up tied on points.
PBKS Playoff Scenarios: One Win to Stay in the Hunt, Two to Seal the Spot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 2nd Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 15 |
| NRR | +0.376 |
| Probability of Qualification | 85% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs DC (Home) 2. vs MI (Home) 3. vs RR (Away) |
Summary: Punjab Kings are just one win away from reaching 17 points — a mark that typically secures a playoff spot. Two wins from their remaining three matches would all but guarantee qualification and could even propel them into the top two. However, upcoming clashes against MI and DC make the path tricky. A 1–2 finish could leave them exposed to net run rate battles, especially if DC, KKR, or LSG mount a strong late push.
MI Playoff Scenarios: Strong NRR Keeps Mumbai in Control of Their Fate
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 3rd Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 14 |
| NRR | +1.274 |
| Probability of Qualification | 90% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs GT (Home) 2. vs PBKS (Away) 3. vs DC (Home) |
Summary: Mumbai Indians are in a strong position, largely due to their impressive Net Run Rate. One more win will take them to 16 points — typically enough for a playoff berth — while two wins (18 points) would almost certainly secure a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier. However, their final three matches are against direct playoff rivals — GT, PBKS, and DC — making for a challenging finish. A three-match losing streak could leave them vulnerable if other contenders build late momentum.
GT Playoff Scenarios: Four Games Left, Multiple Paths to a Top-Two Finish
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 4th Place |
| Matches Played | 10 |
| Points | 14 |
| NRR | +0.867 |
| Probability of Qualification | 85% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs MI (Away) 2. vs DC (Away) 3. vs LSG (Home) 4. vs CSK (Home) |
Summary: Gujarat Titans hold a strong advantage with four matches remaining — the most among all teams. Two wins would take them to 18 points, virtually ensuring a playoff spot, while three victories should secure a top-two finish. Key games against MI and DC could prove decisive if momentum slips. Thankfully, their solid Net Run Rate offers a crucial buffer in the event of a points tie.
DC Playoff Scenarios: Do-or-Die Battles Ahead in Push for 17 Points
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 5th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 13 |
| NRR | +0.362 |
| Probability of Qualification | 50% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs PBKS (Away) 2. vs GT (Home) 3. vs MI (Away) |
Summary: Delhi Capitals find themselves in a high-stakes playoff battle. To stay in control of their fate, they need to win at least two of their remaining three games to reach 17 points — a total that typically offers a solid shot at qualification. With tough fixtures ahead against heavyweights like GT and MI, each game becomes a virtual knockout. A 1–2 finish, ending at 15 points, would leave DC relying on net run rate and the outcomes of other matches to sneak into the top four.
KKR Playoff Scenarios: Three-Game Dash Where Every Match is a Must-Win
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 6th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 11 |
| NRR | +0.249 |
| Probability of Qualification | 25% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs CSK (Home) 2. vs SRH (Away) 3. vs RCB (Away) |
Summary: Kolkata Knight Riders face a must-win situation, needing at least two wins from their last three matches to stay in the race for 15 points. A perfect finish (17 points) gives them a strong chance, but tough opponents like RCB await. A single loss could be fatal, especially if DC or LSG win big. Their Net Run Rate is decent, better than LSG’s but behind DC.
LSG Playoff Scenarios: Must-Win Finish with Slim Playoff Hopes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 7th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 10 |
| NRR | -0.469 |
| Probability of Qualification | 10% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs RCB (Home) 2. vs GT (Away) 3. vs SRH (Home) |
Summary:
Lucknow Super Giants face a tough challenge ahead. To stay in the playoff race, they must win all three remaining matches to reach 16 points. With a low Net Run Rate, they’ll also need significant victories or a few losses from teams like DC and KKR to keep their hopes alive. A single defeat at this stage could likely end their campaign. Crucial victories over RCB and GT are vital, as they directly affect the qualification chances of their rivals.
SRH Playoff Scenarios: Playing the Spoiler Role in a Disappointing Season
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 8th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 7 |
| NRR | -1.192 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Home) 2. vs RCB (Away) 3. vs LSG (Away) |
Summary: Even with a clean sweep of their remaining matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad can only reach 13 points, falling short of playoff qualification. Their remaining games now serve to spoil the playoff hopes of teams like KKR, RCB, and LSG. Look for them to try out different combinations and finish the season with a positive impact.
RR Playoff Scenarios: Officially Eliminated from the Race
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 9th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 7 |
| NRR | -1.192 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Home) 2. vs RCB (Away) 3. vs LSG (Away) |
Summary: Even if Rajasthan Royals win all their remaining matches, they can only reach 13 points, which isn’t enough to qualify for the playoffs. With their playoff hopes gone, their focus now shifts to spoiling the chances of teams like KKR, RCB, and LSG. Expect them to experiment with their squad and aim to end the season on a high note.
CSK Playoff Scenarios: Guaranteed to Finish in the Bottom Two
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 10th Place |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Points | 4 |
| NRR | -1.117 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Away) 2. vs RR (Away) 3. vs GT (Away) |
Summary: Chennai Super Kings are officially out of the playoff race and are set to finish in the bottom two. A disappointing season marked by poor form and a negative Net Run Rate leaves them with little to play for. However, their remaining matches could still be crucial in upsetting the playoff hopes of teams like KKR or GT.
