IPL 2025 Playoff Scenario-SRH Eliminated and DC Battles for Top-Two Position

During the 2025 IPL season, the battle for playoff positions has intensified even further with Sunrisers Hyderabad's hopes being ruined after their penultimate home match. Even though they battled with a good bowling effort, the rain interruption left them unable to battle for a top-four position. Delhi Capitals, however, picked up an important point, keeping their playoff hopes alive and their chances of finishing in the top two very much alive.

As the tournament goes on, franchises such as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are now in a position where they must win. With three matches remaining, 14 points total would not secure them a playoff place, unlike last year when 14 points would have done the trick. Franchises must remain focused as games become hotter.

From the points table, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is at the top with 16 points, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is at second place with 15 points. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) are placed at 14 points each, and Delhi Capitals has 13 points. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has 11 points, and LSG, SRH, and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are stuck at the lower end with fewer than 10 or 10 points.

For Delhi Capitals, the journey from here is tough, but not impossible. They have three crucial games left: against PBKS away, GT at home, and MI away. If Delhi wins all three matches, they can achieve 19 points and finish in the top two. If they achieve 19 points, they would probably remain ahead of MI, and could even match PBKS, depending on other teams' results. If this occurs, Delhi's chances of finishing in the top two will be high, provided that RCB loses two of their next three games and GT loses one.

But if Delhi gets 15 points, they will require some assistance from other teams. They would require the loser of Match 56 to stay at 14 points and hope that the winning team goes higher. It would be nice if MI could win against GT and PBKS because they are two of Delhi's remaining challengers. Delhi would also want KKR and LSG to lose one match or more in order for them to remain hopeful. If Delhi completes on 17 points, then there may be a three-team tie between KKR, PBKS, and DC, and then the net run-rate (NRR) will come into picture to decide which team makes it through.

One of the most important games to watch out for is the MI vs GT game. Both teams have tough schedules coming up. Gujarat Titans are playing MI away, Delhi Capitals away, LSG home, and CSK home. Mumbai Indians also have a challenging run, with games at home against GT, away against PBKS, and at home against DC. Even if GT win all their remaining matches, they are virtually assured a top-two spot with 22 points as only RCB could catch them. But in case MI and GT have 20 points, either of them would still have a chance to reach the top two subject to other team performances.

18 points might be sufficient for MI to qualify for the playoffs, but they would have to defeat PBKS or DC to restrict the opposite side's opportunities. Likewise, GT can qualify for the playoffs with 18 points, even if they lose to MI and DC. Their victories over LSG and CSK may just be sufficient to get them through. If MI and GT both have 16 points, then they would need other teams to perform in their favor to get into the top four. The net run-rate (NRR) also comes into play significantly for MI, since they have the best NRR of all teams at +1.274, which would be advantageous in case there is a tie on points.

The race for the top places is wide open, and the likes of RCB, PBKS, MI, and GT will need to dig deep in the last stretch of the league to make their playoff cut. Delhi Capitals, though still in the running, must continue to win their games and hope that the other results go their way. Middle-table teams such as KKR and LSG have a chance, but they must win all their games and hope that other teams make mistakes. With each match now counting heavily, no team can afford to drop any games as we move towards the latter stages of IPL 2025.