IPL 2025 Playoff Qualification Scenario: How Can RCB secure Top Two Spot after SRH defeat? GT, MI, RCB, PBKS Qualification Race Explained

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IPL 2025 Playoff Qualification Scenario: After a defeat at the hands of SRH, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's prospects for the Top Two places have take a huge hit.

The four teams advancing to the business end of the tournament are now confirmed: Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians.

However, the battle is far from over, the order of finish will determine who gets the coveted top two spots, offering a double chance at reaching the final. In the IPL playoff format, the 1st and 2nd placed teams face off in Qualifier 1, with the winner going straight to the final.

The loser of that match gets another opportunity in Qualifier 2, where they take on the winner of the Eliminator contested between the 3rd and 4th-placed teams.

Let’s take a look at the qualification scenarios following Gujarat Titans’ recent defeat in their match against LSG - a result that has tightened the race for the top two.

Qualified Teams for IPL 2025 Playoffs

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

Key Remaining Fixtures

• May 22: GT vs LSG - GT lost by 33 runs
• May 23: RCB vs SRH - RCB lost by 42 runs
• May 24: PBKS vs DC
• May 25: GT vs CSK
• May 26: PBKS vs MI
• May 26: LSG vs RCB

IPL 2025 Top-Two Qualification Scenario: RCB, GT, MI, PBKS

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Current Position: 2nd
Remaining Matches: vs LSG (May 26)

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost the match against SRH by a big margin, the top two prospects have taken a huge hit for them. Currently, RCB are on 17 points in 13 matches. It means, things have taken a turn for the bad for them.

How can RCB finish in Top Two Places?

RCB will have to win their final match of the group stages against Lucknow Super Giants, and then hope for results going in their way. To progress as top two teams, RCB will have to hope for Punjab Kings losing at least one of their two matches, while Gujarat Titans will also have to lose the final match of their season.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Current Position: 1st
Remaining Matches: vs CSK (May 25)

• Gujarat’s recent defeat in their 13th match against LSG means they are no longer certain of a top-two finish.
• Gujarat Titans will have to now win their final match and then they will be guaranteed a top-two finish.
• Two losses could potentially see them slide to 3rd or even 4th, depending on NRR and other results.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Current Position: 3rd
Remaining Matches: vs DC (May 24), vs MI (May 26)

• PBKS must at least one match and hope for a better NRR than RCB to challenge for a top-two finish.
• Defeat in both matches will almost certainly keep them in 3rd or 4th place.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Current Position: 4th
Remaining Matches: vs PBKS (May 26)

• Mumbai must beat PBKS to stay in contention for a top-two finish.
• In addition, if RCB lose their match against LSG and PBKS lose against DC - Mumbai will be qualifying as a Top Two team.