After days of uncertainty due to the India-Pakistan border tensions, IPL 2025 resumed with high expectations only for the much-anticipated clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to be washed out due to rain in Bengaluru. With the contest abandoned, KKR have now been eliminated from the tournament, reducing the playoff race to six teams still in contention for four spots.
Today’s clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) has now become a pivotal game to reignite the tournament and clarify the playoff scenario. Last night’s washout has intensified online engagement for this match, with Google search trends volume for “PBKS vs RR” crossing 2 million hits in the last 10 hours.
Punjab Kings, who are among four franchises yet to lift an IPL trophy, find themselves on the brink of a top-two finish. Such a position would grant them two chances to reach the final, a critical edge in a season where margins are razor-thin.
RCB, currently on 17 points, need one more to secure their playoff spot. However, a convoluted scenario involving multiple teams like PBKS, MI, GT, DC and LSG, could lead to a five-way tie on 17 points, bringing net run rate into sharp focus.
For Punjab, two wins from their final three matches against RR, DC and MI would guarantee qualification. They could still sneak in with 17 points if they win just one more game and other results fall in their favor. A more complex path exists even if they lose all three games and stay at 15 points. In that scenario, Delhi Capitals must lose their remaining matches and LSG can win no more than two of their final three, setting up a net run rate decider for the final playoff berth.
Today’s game thus carries immense weight, not only for PBKS and RR but also for the broader playoff picture. As the tournament regains momentum post-ceasefire, the playoff battle is heating up and Punjab Kings have a golden chance to step closer to the IPL 2025 trophy.