IPL 2025: Who Will Finish in the Top Two? IPL 2025 Playoff Scenarios for GT, RCB, MI, and PBKS

Gujarat Titans’ hopes of finishing in the top two in IPL 2025 took a big blow after a tough 83-run loss to Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Chennai put on a strong show, with solid half-centuries from Devon Conway and Dewald Brevis leading the way.

Gujarat Titans are still on top of the points table with 18 points from all 14 of their league games, but their net run rate has dropped a lot. This has made their position shaky as the league stage comes to an end. To hold on to a spot in the top two, GT now needs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (who have 17 points) to lose their last match against Lucknow Super Kings. The pressure is on because if either the Mumbai Indians (with 16 points) or the Punjab Kings (with 17 points) win their next game, they could move ahead of GT.

All four playoff spots were confirmed with seven league matches still left, the earliest it has ever happened in IPL history. But even with three games to go, and each of the playoff teams having one more match to play, the fight for a top-two finish is still wide open. Finishing in the top two is a big deal because it gives teams two chances to make it to the final. Here's what each of the four teams needs to do to grab one of those valuable top-two spots.

Qualified Teams for IPL 2025 Playoffs

• Gujarat Titans (GT)
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
• Punjab Kings (PBKS)
• Mumbai Indians (MI)

IPL 2025 Playoff Qualification Scenario: How Can Teams Finish in the Top Two Positions?

Gujarat Titans

• Position: 1st
• Remaining Matches: 0
• Qualification Scenario:

Currently at 18 points with NRR +0.309.

Already qualified for playoffs.

Cannot finish No. 1 after losing last two matches to LSG and CSK.

Will drop to 2nd if PBKS vs MI winner reaches 19 points.

Will drop to 3rd or 4th if RCB beat LSG.

Will finish 2nd if RCB lose to LSG.

Punjab Kings

• Position: 2nd
• Remaining Matches: 1 (vs MI, Monday in Jaipur)
• Qualification Scenario:

Currently at 17 points with NRR +0.327.

If PBKS win:
• Reach 19 points, guaranteed Top 2 finish.
• Stay No. 1, unless RCB beat LSG by big margin to surpass NRR.

If PBKS lose:
• Stay at 17 points, cannot finish in Top 2.

Mumbai Indians

• Position: 3rd
• Remaining Matches: 1 (vs PBKS, Monday in Jaipur)
• Qualification Scenario:

Currently at 16 points with NRR +1.292.

If MI win:
• Reach 18 points, go to No. 1 due to the highest NRR.
• Can be overtaken by RCB if they beat LSG.

If MI lose:
• Stay at 16 points, cannot finish in the Top 2.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Position: 4th
• Remaining Matches: 1 (vs LSG, Tuesday in Lucknow)
• Qualification Scenario:

Currently at 17 points with NRR +0.255.

If RCB wins:
• Move into the Top 2.
• If MI beats PBKS: any win puts RCB at No. 1.
• If PBKS beat MI: need a big win to pass their NRR and take No. 1.

If RCB lose:
• Finish 3rd or 4th.

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