IPL 2025 Playoffs: Qualification Scenarios For All 10 Teams Explained

With 49 games wrapped up in IPL 2025, the playoff race is heating up for this season. After suffering their eighth defeat, CSK are official out from the qualification race and became the first team to get eliminated. PBKS climb to second spot with 13 points. As the playoff race intensifies with 25 matches remaining, seven teams remain in contention for the playoffs, though SRH and RR now rely on other results to stay alive for a securing spot in the final four.

Latest Standings & Overview

As of May 1, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) top the table with 14 points, closely followed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) with 13. Mumbai Indians (MI), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Delhi Capitals (DC) are locked in at 12 points each, making the playoff race intense. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with 10 and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with 9 remain in the hunt, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) both on 6 need a near-perfect run and favourable results. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with just 4 points  are officially out of contention.

In IPL, 16 points is typically the threshold for securing a playoff spot but 14 points can do justice depending on net run rate (NRR) and other results. Let’s break down each team’s scenario & understand how they can make it to the playoffs.

IPL 2025 Points Table

Position	Team	Matches	Wins	Losses	No Result	Net Run Rate	Points
1	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	10	7	3	0	0.521	14
2	Punjab Kings	10	6	3	1	0.270	13
3	Mumbai Indians	10	6	4	0	0.889	12
4	Gujarat Titans	9	6	3	0	0.748	12
5	Delhi Capitals	10	6	4	0	0.362	12
6	Lucknow Super Giants	10	5	5	0	-0.325	10
7	Kolkata Knight Riders	10	4	5	1	0.271	9
8	Rajasthan Royals	10	3	7	0	-0.349	6
9	Sunrisers Hyderabad	9	3	6	0	-1.103	6
10	Chennai Super Kings (E)	10	2	8	0	-1.211	4

IPL 2025 Playoff Scenarios Of All 10 Franchises

As the IPL 2025 season enters its final stretch (as of May 1), the race for the four playoff spots is heating up. With teams having played 9–10 games each, the points table remains tightly packed, and net run rate (NRR) is emerging as a key tiebreaker. This breakdown dives into where each team stands, the fixtures ahead and the mathematical analysis they must understand to secure a playoff berth, whether it’s a top-two finish for Qualifier 1 or a spot in the Eliminator.

RCB Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: With 10 matches played, they currently sit on 14 points with a healthy net run rate of +0.521, and four crucial league fixtures remaining.
• Scenario: The Rajat Patidar led-side are firmly placed in the playoff race, requiring just one more win to reach the traditionally safe threshold of 16 points. Two victories from their remaining fixtures would take them to 18 & they would find themselves finishing in top-two and a spot in Qualifier 1. Their strong net run rate further strengthens their position in potential tiebreaker scenarios.
• Probability: 90-95%.
• Remaining Fixtures: CSK (home), LSG (away), SRH (home), KKR (home).

PBKS Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: Punjab Kings have 13 points to their name from 10 matches and currently hold a net run rate of +0.199.
• Scenario: The Shreyas Iyer Led-side require just one more victory to reach 15 points, which should be enough to secure a playoff spot given their current standing. Two wins would elevate them to 17 points, nearly guaranteeing qualification. With a moderate net run rate, sustaining their winning form will be critical to avoid any reliance on tiebreakers.
• Probability: 80-85%.
• Remaining Fixtures:  LSG (Home), DC (Home), MI (Home), RR (Away)

MI Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: Gujarat Titans have secured 12 points from 10 matches, with a strong net run rate (+0.889) providing them an advantage in case of a tie. With 4 matches remaining, they are in a solid position to push for qualification.
• Scenario: The Shubhman Gill Led-side with an additional match in hand, need 2 more wins to reach 16 points & they will find themselves comfortably securing a playoff spot. A third victory would take them to 18 points, strengthening their position and ensuring they have the upper hand in tiebreaker scenarios due to their strong net run rate. Their position in the standings remains robust as they head into the final stretch.
• Probability: 75-80%.
• Remaining Fixtures: RR (Away), GT (Home), PBKS (Away), DC (Home)

GT Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: Gujarat Titans have 12 points from 10 matches alongside a strong net run rate (+0.889).
• Scenario: The Shubhman Gill led-side have an extra match in their hand & require just 2 wins for 16 points & they will qualify. 3 wins will take them to 18 points and their strong NRR will ensure tiebreaker advantages. Their position is robust.
• Probability: 85-90%.
• Remaining Fixtures: SRH (Home), MI (Away), DC (Away), LSG (Home), CSK (Home)

DC Qualification Scenarios

• Current Status: DC have played 10 matches and earned 12 points with a net run rate of +0.362. They still have 4 matches remaining in the IPL 2025 season.
• Scenario: The Axar Patel led-side, with 12 points from 10 matches, need 2 more wins to reach 16 points, but their lower net run rate compared to teams like Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans means they might require 3 wins to comfortably secure 18 points and avoid tiebreaker scenarios. While their path to the playoffs is challenging, it remains achievable with consistent performances in the remaining matches.
• Probability: 70-75%.
• Remaining Fixtures: SRH (Away), PBKS (Away), GT (Home), MI (Away)

LSG Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: LSG have played 10 matches and earned 12 points with a net run rate of -0.325. They still have 4 matches remaining in the IPL 2025 season.
• Scenario: The Rishabh Pant led-side must win at least three of their remaining four matches to reach 16 points the typical threshold for playoff qualification. While two wins would take them to 14 points, their negative net run rate significantly weaken their chances in a tie-break scenario. To stay in contention, LSG not only need wins but also convincing ones. With tough fixtures looming against high-performing teams like RCB and GT, their path to the playoffs is challenging and leaves little room for error.
• Probability: 50-60%.
• Remaining Fixtures: PBKS (Away), RCB (Home), GT (Away), SRH Home)
  

KKR Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: Kolkata Knight Riders have played 10 matches and currently sit on 9 points with a positive net run rate of +0.271.
• Scenario: The Ajinkya Rahane led-side require three wins from their remaining four matches to reach 15 points, feasible with their positive net run rate could keep them in playoff contention. Securing four wins and finishing on 17 points would all but guarantee qualification. However, their inconsistent recent form makes the road ahead challenging, though not out of reach.
• Probability: 40-50%.
• Remaining Fixtures: RR (Home), CSK (Home), SRH (Away), RCB (Away)
  

RR Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: Rajasthan Royals have played 10 matches and currently sit on 6 points, with a net run rate of -0.349 and four league games remaining.
• Scenario: The inaugral IPL Champions must win all four of their remaining matches to reach 14 points, but their negative net run rate significantly dents their qualification hopes. Even with a perfect finish, they remain reliant on other results. Given their inconsistent form and current standing, RR’s playoff chances appear bleak, marking a disappointing campaign.
• Probability: 10-15%.
• Remaining Fixtures: MI (Home), KKR (Away), CSK (Away), PBKS (Home)
  

SRH Qualification Scenario

• Current Status: With nine matches played, Sunrisers Hyderabad have only six points and a absymal net run rate of -1.103.
• Scenario: The Pat Cummins led-side need at least four, ideally five wins from their remaining fixtures to reach the 14–16 point mark, which could put them in playoff contention. However, given their negative net run rate and inconsistent form, such a turnaround appears highly improbable. Even if they manage to win all five, qualification would still depend on significant improvements and favourable results.
• Probability: 5-10%.
• Remaining Fixtures: GT (Away), DC (Home), KKR (Home), RCB (Away), LSG (Away)
  

CSK Qualification Scenario – Knocked out

• Current Status: Having played 10 matches, Chennai Super Kings only mangaged to secure 4 points and sit at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -1.211.
• Scenario: The five-time champions face a steep challenge, needing to win all four of their remaining matches to reach 12 points. However with their current form and a net run rate of -1.211, qualification is out of reach. As a result, CSK have become the first team to be eliminated from playoff race in IPL 2025.
• Probability: 0%.
• Remaining Fixtures: RCB (Away), KKR (Away), RR (Home), GT (Away)

sports