With the playoffs lineup of IPL 2025 now finalized, the battle for the top two positions is still on. Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Mumbai Indians (MI) have all qualified for the playoffs, but their fight is not yet over. A top two position is very important since it will earn a team a spot in Qualifier 1—a direct pathway to the final.
Gujarat Titans Plot to Remain at the Top
GT is currently in the lead at 18 points. They will reach 20 points if they win their last match against Chennai Super Kings, thereby securing their Qualifier 1 status. But in the event that GT is defeated, their qualification would be based on how PBKS and RCB perform.
GT requires either RCB or PBKS to lose their previous match. In case both win and GT loses, they stand a chance of missing the top two due to a possible tie for points.
PBKS Bank on a Win and Some Assistance
Punjab Kings are at 17 points and need to win their remaining game to reach 19. A win, along with a loss for RCB or GT, will propel PBKS to the top two.
If PBKS loses, they’ll be at 17 and pray both RCB and MI lose too. Then, PBKS and RCB will be equal, and net run rate (NRR) will be the decider. As PBKS possess a better NRR at the moment, they might win over RCB even in a tie.
“If PBKS and RCB both win, then PBKS should qualify as they have a superior run rate and should retain the edge unless RCB choose a genuine big win.”
RCB’s Must-Win Scenario
Royal Challengers Bangalore are PBKS’s mirror image. They must win their last match and pray that either GT or PBKS makes a mistake. If they lose, then RCB will be relying on both PBKS and MI losing.
Even that, RCB’s inferior NRR could still go against them. In order to remain in the fray, RCB will have to concentrate on winning and better their NRR and overtake PBKS.
Mumbai Indians’ Slim Chance
MI has the narrowest route to the top two. They have 16 points, and their ceiling is 18 after winning the last match. For MI to come into the top two, they have to win and rely on PBKS and RCB losing both of their matches.
In the other situation, if GT also loses a match, MI would be tied with them at 18 points. With a better net run rate, MI would be ahead of GT.
If MI win the final game, and PBKS and RCB lose their respective last games, MI will advance.”
As IPL 2025 enters its final phase, the contest is intense. With all four teams that have qualified still vying for a top-two spot, the final group matches will be more than mere formalities. The battle to claim the Qualifier 1 place gives the playoffs an interesting twist.
