With 13 matches to go in the league stage of IPL 2025, seven teams are still in contention to make it to the playoffs, while no team has secured a place in the top four yet. What do these seven teams need to do to make it?
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 12, Points: 11, NRR: 0.193
Remaining matches: SRH (a), RCB (a)
The two-wicket defeat against Chennai Super Kings leaves Kolkata Knight Riders on the brink of elimination. With only two games to go, the maximum that KKR can get is 15 points; there are already two teams who have more than 15, while Punjab Kings are on 15 with three games to go.
Assuming that those three teams go through, KKR will have to hope that Mumbai Indians lose their two remaining matches and stay on 14. Since one of their matches is against Delhi Capitals, who are currently on 13, that will take DC to 15. The fourth spot will thus come down to an NRR battle between KKR and DC.
On the other hand, if Punjab Kings lose their three remaining matches, then MI will go past 15, while DC, PBKS and KKR could all be on 15 points, fighting for the fourth spot.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.793
Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), CSK (h)
Gujarat Titans' last-ball win at the Wankhede means they're now just one win away from making the playoffs - 18 points will now assure a team of a top-four finish. However, if they lose their three remaining games they could get knocked out as four teams can still finish on 17 or more points. Titans have a favourable itinerary too, with their last two games scheduled at home, where they have a formidable 4-1 record so far.
Mumbai Indians
Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 1.156
Remaining matches: PBKS (a), DC (h)
Despite the loss to GT, Mumbai Indians (MI) are still in control of their own destiny, as wins in their last two matches will ensure a place in the playoffs. For them to go through on 16 points, though, they'll need help from other results, while defeats in their two remaining games will eliminate them. MI also have an excellent net run rate of 1.156, which could yet be crucial if qualification comes down to that.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.482
Remaining matches: LSG (a), SRH (h), KKR (h)
The washout between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC), and GT's win against MI, means that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are now only one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. That's because only four teams can make it to 18 or more points. RCB can also make the top four with 16 points if other results go their way. However, two wins will not yet guarantee a top-two finish as three teams can still finish with 20 or more points.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11, Points: 15, NRR: 0.376
Remaining matches: DC (h), MI (h), RR (a)
To be certain of qualification, Punjab Kings (PBKS) need to win a couple of games and move up to 19 points. They can even go through with 15 points on NRR, but for that to happen, several other results will have to go their way. If they win each of their three remaining games, they'll be assured of a top-two finish. Two of their three remaining games are against teams in the top five, which makes those results extremely vital for PBKS.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.362
Remaining matches: PBKS (a), GT (h), MI (a)
A lucky point against SRH has halted a two-match losing sequence for DC and given them a bit of a breather. Fifteen points will push them into the top four only if several other results go in their favour, while 17 could also place them at the mercy of other results - it's still possible for six teams to finish on 17 or more points. Wins in all three remaining matches will ensure qualification, but that will require a huge reversal of form, given that they have only won one of their last five matches.
Lucknow Super Giants
Played: 11, Points: 10, NRR: -0.469
Remaining matches: RCB (h), GT (a), SRH (h)
Like DC, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are also struggling for momentum, having lost three in a row, and four of their last five. The best they can do now is win their three remaining matches, finish on 16 points, and hope that a couple of in-form teams suffer a sudden reversal of fortunes. If they lose one more match, though, LSG will be eliminated. Their terrible NRR of -0.469 doesn't help their cause either.