66 matches have been played in IPL 2025 and now only four league matches are to be played. But still nothing can be said clearly about which two teams will be in the top-2 in the points table. Let us tell you that this was the first time in IPL that the teams qualifying for the playoffs were known with seven matches remaining.
But the teams that have been eliminated from the playoff race have messed up the calculations of the teams that have qualified. The current situation is that all four teams have a chance to reach the top-2 on the points table, let us tell you how this can happen.
IPL 2025: PBKS, RCB, MI, GT have a chance to reach the top-2
Gujarat Titans control their own fate in the race for a top-2 finish in IPL 2025. A win against Chennai on May 25 will take them to 20 points and secure a spot in Qualifier 1. However, if they lose and stay at 18 points, they risk dropping out of the top-2. Royal Challengers Bangalore will reach 19 points if they beat Lucknow. The winner between Punjab and Mumbai will also surpass Gujarat — Punjab would reach 19, while Mumbai could edge past on net run rate. Thus, GT must defeat Chennai to guarantee a top-two finish and avoid uncertainty.
After losing against Delhi Capitals, Punjab has shot itself in the foot. Now if it wants to remain in the top-two, it will first have to defeat Mumbai Indians. Also, it will have to pray that Chennai’s team defeats Gujarat Titans. Or RCB’s team loses to Lucknow. Even if RCB wins, its net run rate will remain low. In case Punjab, RCB and GT win all three matches, Punjab will have to keep the margin of victory at five runs. That too if RCB bats first and scores 200 runs and wins by 20 runs. If Punjab loses, then it will not be able to finish in the top-two.
RCB and Mumbai Indians Rely on Final League Match Outcomes for Top-2 Finish
After the defeat against Hyderabad, RCB’s hopes of staying in the top-2 have become dependent on the results of other teams. If RCB defeats Lucknow Super Giants in its last league match, then it will have 19 points. In such a situation, RCB will have to pray that Gujarat Giants lose to Chennai and stop at 18 points. Either Punjab’s team loses to Mumbai or wins by such a small margin that RCB’s net run rate is better than Punjab. If RCB’s team loses to Lucknow Super Giants, then they will have to play the eliminator this season as well.
The Mumbai team started this season with four defeats. Despite this, it is currently a contender to come in the top-2. The only reason for this is its explosive net run rate. Now to come in the top-2, it is necessary for Mumbai Indians to defeat the Punjab team. After this, they will have to pray that either Gujarat Titans or Royal Challengers Bangalore loses their last IPL 2025 match.
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