With the IPL season winding down, the playoff race is really heating up. When the SRH vs DC game was called off due to a wet outfield, Sunrisers Hyderabad became the third team after Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings to be knocked out. That leaves seven teams still fighting for those four spots. Royal Challengers Bengaluru look the most comfortable right now, but Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals are all locked in a tough battle to stay in contention.
IPL 2025 Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Roadmap for the Final 4
RCB Playoff Qualification Scenarios: One Win Away from Locking It In
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 1st Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 16 NRR: +0.482 |
| Qualification Scenario | RCB are virtually through to the playoffs. A single win from their remaining three matches will confirm qualification. Two wins will likely ensure a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1. However, with a steady but not dominant NRR, a big loss in any match could affect their final standing in a multi-team tie. |
| Probability of Qualification | 95% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs LSG (Away) 2. vs SRH (Home) 3. vs KKR (Home) |
PBKS Playoff Qualification Scenarios: One Win from the Door, Two from Locking It
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 2nd Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 15 NRR: +0.376 |
| Qualification Scenario | Punjab Kings need just one more win from their final three matches to reach 17 points — a tally that usually ensures a playoff spot. Two wins would seal it and possibly push them into the top two. However, with key clashes coming up against MI and DC, the road isn’t easy. A 1–2 result could leave them vulnerable to net run rate battles if DC, KKR, or even LSG surge late. |
| Probability of Qualification | 85% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs DC (Home) 2. vs MI (Home) 3. vs RR (Away) |
MI Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Strong NRR Keeps Mumbai in Command
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 3rd Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 14 NRR: +1.274 |
| Qualification Scenario | Mumbai Indians are well-positioned thanks to their outstanding Net Run Rate. One more win will take them to 16 points, which is usually enough to qualify. Two wins (18 points) should guarantee a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1. However, they face three fellow playoff contenders — GT, PBKS, and DC — making the run-in a potential minefield. A three-game losing streak could put them at risk if other teams gain momentum. |
| Probability of Qualification | 90% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs GT (Home) 2. vs PBKS (Away) 3. vs DC (Home) |
GT Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Four Matches, Flexible Route to the Top 2
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 4th Place Matches Played: 10 Points: 14 NRR: +0.867 |
| Qualification Scenario | Gujarat Titans are in a strong position with four matches left — more than any other team. Two wins will take them to 18 points, almost certainly confirming qualification. Three wins should guarantee a top-two finish. Clashes against MI and DC could shape their path, especially if they lose momentum. Their strong NRR gives them a critical edge in case of a tie on points. |
| Probability of Qualification | 85% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs MI (Away) 2. vs DC (Away) 3. vs LSG (Home) 4. vs CSK (Home) |
DC Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Must-Win Games Ahead in Race to 17
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 5th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 13 NRR: +0.362 |
| Qualification Scenario | Delhi Capitals are in a tense playoff race. They must win at least two of their final three matches to reach 17 points — a total that gives them a decent chance of qualifying. With matches remaining against strong contenders like GT and MI, those clashes become virtual knockouts. A one-win finish (15 points) would leave them at the mercy of NRR calculations and other results. |
| Probability of Qualification | 50% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs PBKS (Away) 2. vs GT (Home) 3. vs MI (Away) |
KKR Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Three-Match Sprint with No Room for Error
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 6th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 11 NRR: +0.249 |
| Qualification Scenario | Kolkata Knight Riders are on thin ice. They must win at least two of their remaining three games to reach 15 points and stay in contention, but even that may not be enough without help from other results. A perfect finish (17 points) gives them a real shot at qualification, though they face tough opponents, including RCB away. A single loss could prove fatal if DC or LSG win big. Their Net Run Rate is decent, better than LSG’s but behind DC. |
| Probability of Qualification | 25% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs CSK (Home) 2. vs SRH (Away) 3. vs RCB (Away) |
LSG Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Must-Win Run with Slim Chances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 7th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 10 NRR: -0.469 |
| Qualification Scenario | Lucknow Super Giants face an uphill battle. They must win all three remaining matches to reach 16 points and stay alive in the playoff race. Their low Net Run Rate means they also need a big win or a series of losses from teams like DC and KKR. Any loss at this stage will likely end their campaign. Key wins against RCB and GT are crucial, as they directly impact their rivals’ qualification chances. |
| Probability of Qualification | 10% |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs RCB (Home) 2. vs GT (Away) 3. vs SRH (Home) |
SRH Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Spoilers in a Disappointing Season
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 8th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 7 NRR: -1.192 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Qualification Scenario | Even if Sunrisers Hyderabad win all their remaining matches, they can only reach 13 points, which is insufficient for playoff qualification. Their role now is to spoil the playoff chances of other teams like KKR, RCB, and LSG. Expect them to test bench strength and finish the season on a positive note. |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Home) 2. vs RCB (Away) 3. vs LSG (Away) |
RR Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Officially Out of the Race
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 8th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 7 NRR: -1.192 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Qualification Scenario | Even if Sunrisers Hyderabad win all their remaining matches, they can only reach 13 points, which is insufficient for playoff qualification. Their role now is to spoil the playoff chances of other teams like KKR, RCB, and LSG. Expect them to test bench strength and finish the season on a positive note. |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Home) 2. vs RCB (Away) 3. vs LSG (Away) |
CSK Playoff Qualification Scenarios: Bottom-Two Finish Confirmed
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Position | 10th Place Matches Played: 11 Points: 4 NRR: -1.117 |
| Status | Eliminated |
| Qualification Scenario | Chennai Super Kings are officially out of the playoffs and will finish in the bottom two. Their season has been marred by poor form and a negative Net Run Rate. The remaining matches are key in determining if they can upset playoff hopefuls like KKR or GT. |
| Remaining Fixtures | 1. vs KKR (Away) 2. vs RR (Away) 3. vs GT (Away) |
