IPL 2025 Playoffs: CSK, RR, SRH out – 7 teams fight for 4 spots as race heats up

With just days left in the IPL 2025 league stage, the playoff race is reaching its fiercest phase. Three teams — Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad — are officially eliminated. Seven teams remain in the fray: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Mumbai Indians (MI), Gujarat Titans (GT), Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The top four — RCB, PBKS, MI, GT — are separated by only two points, and net run-rate (NRR) could prove decisive. Here’s a breakdown of what each of the seven contenders needs to do to make the cut.

RCB (11 matches, 8 wins, 16 points):
Rajat Patidar's RCB are in prime position. One more win from their last three matches (vs LSG, SRH, KKR) could be enough for qualification. Two wins will guarantee a spot. Winning all three will almost certainly secure them a top-two finish, offering the extra cushion in the playoffs.

PBKS (11 matches, 7 wins, 15 points):
Punjab Kings, under Shreyas Iyer, have to beat at least two of their remaining opponents — DC, MI, and RR — to ensure qualification. If they manage only one win, they’ll rely on other results and net run-rate. This could be their first playoffs appearance in 10 years.

MI (11 matches, 7 wins, 14 points):
Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians have surged back into contention. With the league’s best NRR, even one win from their remaining three games (vs GT, PBKS, DC) could be enough. Two wins would almost secure qualification, while three could earn them a top-two spot.

GT (10 matches, 7 wins, 14 points):
Gujarat Titans have four matches left — more than any other team. Wins in three of them (vs MI, DC, LSG, CSK) would guarantee qualification. Four wins could take them into the top two. Their healthy NRR adds a vital edge in such a tight scenario.

DC (11 matches, 6 wins, 13 points):
Axar Patel’s Delhi Capitals must win all three of their remaining matches (vs MI, GT, PBKS) to ensure qualification without depending on others. Even one or two wins might keep them in the hunt, but that would require favourable results elsewhere and a boost in NRR.

KKR (11 matches, 5 wins, 11 points):
The defending champions have a tough road ahead. They need to win all three remaining matches (vs CSK, SRH, RCB) to finish on 17 points. Even then, their qualification depends on other teams dropping points and net run-rate scenarios aligning in their favour.

LSG (11 matches, 5 wins, 10 points):
Lucknow must win all three of their remaining games (vs RCB, GT, SRH) to reach 16 points. Even then, they’ll need help from other results to push through. Another loss would officially knock them out of the playoffs race. Their margin for error is now zero.