IPL 2025: A look at the qualification scenario for playoffs after Punjab Kings beat LSG – All you need to know

The race for the IPL 2025 is set to heat up as 16 games remain in the league, and eight teams are still in contention out of 10 teams. The Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals are the two teams to be eliminated after their recent performance this season. However, the competition is tough now in the top half of the standings, with at least three teams vying for 20 points or more.

Team-wise IPL 2025 Playoffs qualification scenario

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Remaining fixtures: – v LSG (away), v SRH, v KKR

RCB’s chances of reaching the Playoffs look promising, especially after their Saturday win against CSK, which has relieved pressure on Rajat Patidar’s side. While winning all their remaining games would guarantee them 22 points (and they won’t have to play MI or GT again, despite Chinnaswamy concerns), even reaching 18 points with one more victory should put them in a good spot.

Best Possible Finish: 22 points

Punjab Kings

Remaining fixtures:– v DC, v MI, v RR (away)

Punjab Kings’ recent win against Lucknow Super Giants has propelled them to the second spot with three games left in the season. Their upcoming fixtures against direct competitors Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians will be critical, as they’ll need at least one victory from these to stay in the Playoffs race. Achieving that would still leave them needing a win in their final match against Rajasthan Royals to reach the potential 18-point Playoffs cutoff.

Best Possible Finish: 21 points

Mumbai Indians

Remaining fixtures: v GT, v PBKS (away), v DC

The upcoming high-stakes match between the current top teams, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT), could very well determine the front-runner for the coveted top position in the league standings. Riding a remarkable six-game winning streak, MI has the potential to extend this to an impressive nine consecutive victories if they win all their remaining matches, propelling them to a formidable 20 points. However, to guarantee their qualification for the Playoffs, MI will need to secure at least two more wins in their remaining fixtures.

Best Possible Finish: 20 points

Gujarat Titans

Remaining fixtures: v MI (away), v DC (away), v LSG, v CSK

Gujarat Titans (GT) could still reach 20 points by winning three of their remaining four games, even if they lose their upcoming away match in Mumbai. If their winning streak continues, they could even reach 22 points and take the top spot. Like Mumbai Indians, GT likely needs at least two more wins to secure a Playoffs berth.

Best Possible Finish: 22 points

Delhi Capitals

Remaining fixtures:– v SRH (away), v PBKS (away), v GT, v MI (away)

Delhi Capitals (DC) are in a tough situation with three upcoming matches against top 4 teams after a recent slump left them with 12 points from 10 games. While they could reach 20 points by winning all remaining matches, potentially lowering the Playoffs cut-off, Axar Patel’s team needs at least three more wins to feel secure about qualification.

Best Possible Finish: 20 points

Lucknow Super Giants

Remaining fixtures:– v RCB, v GT (away), v SRH

Down to seventh place with 10 points, LSG will need to win all three games to stand a chance to make the Playoffs race tight. However, they could end up missing the potential cut-off mark of 18 points even then.

Best Possible Finish: 18 points

Kolkata Knight Riders

Remaining fixtures:– v CSK, v SRH (away), v RCB (away)

Since KKR has no more matches against the top two teams (MI and GT), their best-case scenario is reaching 17 points by winning all their remaining games, which would put them in contention for the last two Playoffs spots. However, they will also need RCB and PBKS to win no more than two of their remaining matches.

Best Possible Finish: 17 points

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Remaining fixtures:– v DC, v KKR, v RCB (away), v LSG (away)

After losing to GT, 2024 runners-up SRH are clinging to mathematical possibilities. Winning their last four games could get them to 14 points, but this might not be enough for a Playoffs spot as at least four other teams are likely to cross that mark with just one more win.

Best Possible Finish: 14 points

IPL 2025 points table after PBKS vs LSG Match 54 on May 4