New Delhi : After a week-long hiatus due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume on May 17, with fans eagerly awaiting the return of high-octane cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had paused the tournament for safety concerns, but has now released a revised schedule. The IPL final, originally slated for May 25, will now be played on June 3.
Despite the disruption, the playoff picture remains mostly intact, with three teams — Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) — already eliminated. The spotlight now shifts to a fierce battle among seven teams for the remaining playoff spots, with Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) almost certain to qualify. The real contest, however, is for the elusive fourth spot.
Here’s a look at where each contender stands:
Gujarat Titans (GT)
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Captain: Shubman Gill
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Matches Played: 11
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Wins: 8 | Points: 16
GT are sitting comfortably with 16 points. One more win from their remaining three matches will confirm their playoff berth. If they win two, a Top-2 finish is almost guaranteed — a huge advantage in the playoffs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
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Next Match: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Matches Played: 11
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Points: 16
RCB can become the first team to seal a playoff spot after the resumption. A victory over KKR would take them to 18 points, securing qualification and possibly even pushing for a Top-2 finish.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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Captain: Shreyas Iyer
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Matches Played: 11
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Wins: 7 | Points: 15
One of their matches against KKR was washed out, while a rescheduled fixture against Delhi Capitals awaits. To safely qualify, PBKS need to win 2 out of their remaining 3 matches. One win might not be enough and would leave their fate hanging in the balance.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
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Matches Played: 12
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Wins: 7 | Points: 14
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Net Run Rate: +1.156 (Best in tournament)
MI’s next two matches — against PBKS and DC — are must-win. Even one loss could stall them at 16 points, opening the door for Delhi Capitals or others to sneak in. However, their superior Net Run Rate could be a key tiebreaker.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
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Matches Played: 11
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Wins: 6 | Points: 12
DC started strong but have since lost momentum. They still have a mathematical chance to reach 19 points, but for that, they must win all remaining matches. Winning two would put them at 16 points, and they would need MI to lose at least once to stay in the hunt.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
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Captain: Rishabh Pant
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Matches Played: 11
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Wins: 5 | Points: 10
LSG are hanging by a thread. While not out yet, one more loss would knock them out of playoff contention. They face tough opponents in RCB, GT, and SRH in their final three matches and will also depend heavily on results of MI, DC, and KKR.
What’s at Stake
With GT, RCB, and PBKS almost locked in, the race for the fourth playoff spot is turning into a thrilling multi-team contest. Mumbai, Delhi, and Lucknow all have a shot, but margin for error is razor-thin. Net Run Rate, match-washouts, and head-to-head records could all play a decisive role as the league enters its final stretch.
As the IPL resumes, cricket fans can expect a week of intense competition, nail-biting finishes, and playoff drama like never before.
