The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are playing the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on April 26 in an important IPL 2025 match. Matchday is the second time KKR and PBKS will face each other this year, after PBKS had a comfortable win by protecting a dismal total of 112 over KKR in their first meeting this season. 

In today's match, PBKS put together a formidable total of 201 in the regulation 20 overs, which puts KKR under considerable pressure. However, just before the start of the second inning, rain intervened, and efficiently, the covers were brought to the field. However, there was a bit of wind floating about the ground that could also conduct clouds away from the stadium, which should get us back to the game nice and quickly. The playing conditions state that a minimum of 5 overs must be played of KKR's innings for a result to occur. In the event rain continues and the match cannot be completed, both teams would gain one point for the abandoned match. If the rain affects play so that KKR can only face a 5-over chase, then they would have to chase only 61 in the revised target.

How a Washout Could Impact the Teams

For KKR, the situation is very serious. They are in seventh place with 3 wins from eight matches, and any further losses (or, in today's case, a washout) will leave them dangerously close to elimination. KKR cannot afford any further setbacks with every match so crucially important, and today could be a key juncture in their season. 

Also Read: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Varun Chakravarthy Destroys Maxwell—Suresh Raina’s Cheeky Comment Goes Viral!

On the other side of the fence is PBKS, who are enjoying a decent season so far, sitting at fifth place with 5 wins from eight matches. If they win today, they can still keep their chances for a top-four playoff finish alive, but even in case of a washout, they will move up the table and increase their points by one, and more importantly, not suffer deterioration to their net run rate (NRR). Of course they would have liked a win since it would give them more momentum and confidence.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) injected fresh energy into their IPL 2025 campaign with a dominant 9-wicket victory over long-time rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 20. This emphatic win couldn’t have come at a better time for MI, as they were desperate for a turnaround. The victory now serves as a potential turning point in their season, reigniting hopes of a playoff push that seemed to be slipping away just days ago.

As of April 20, 2025, MI have played eight matches, winning three and losing five, leaving them with 6 points and positioned mid-table. While it’s not an ideal spot, the unpredictable nature of the IPL means a resurgence is always possible. With several teams closely bunched on the points table, a strong finish could quickly catapult Hardik Pandya-led MI into playoff contention, especially considering the strength and experience within their squad.

To realistically qualify for the playoffs, MI must aim for the golden number: 16 points. That would require them to win at least 5 of their remaining 6 fixtures — a tall order, but certainly within reach given their momentum and the firepower in their lineup. With the Wankhede Stadium as their fortress, MI will now look to capitalize and go the distance.

See Also: IPL 2025: Can CSK still make Playoffs after crushing nine wickets loss to MI?

Mumbai Indians' Playoff Qualification Scenario

For MI to qualify for the playoffs, it is not only important that they should win, but they need to win in a dominating fashion. What must happen:

Win 5 or More Matches: With 6 matches remaining for Mumbai, if they win 5 out of the 6 remaining, MI will finish with 16 points. This translates to a win percentage of 83.3% in their remaining fixtures — a daunting task but not unprecedented for a team of MI’s pedigree. The IPL’s fast-paced format and the depth of MI’s squad make this feasible, especially if they capitalize on home games at the Wankhede Stadium, where their batting thrives on the flat pitches. This will not be easy but is possible with MI's current form.

Target Key Opponents: Balance of mid-table and top-table teams with MI facing the likes of the Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans for head-to-head competition, and trying to win against the teams that MI must beat will not move MI's points but stop any direct competition.

Improve Net Run Rate (NRR): When several teams have the same number of points, Net Run Rate will be the only differentiator. With MI's previous victory over CSK (177 runs in 15.4 overs), MI's NRR significantly improved, but MI needs a few more performances of this magnitude to stay on top in this tight Net Run Race.

Consistency from Big Players: MI stars like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav will need to find some consistency. MI has had an uneven campaign, as is expected in T20 leagues, but individual brilliance, for example, Bumrah bowling a few overs tightly or Rohit scoring aggressively in the powerplay, could pull MI over the line in big matches.

Mumbai Indians (MI) Remaining Fixtures

Mumbai's remaining schedule features the Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals as their main opponents. Each match will be a must-win; they have to treat them like knockout matches and play with that urgency in mind.

Yet, MI cannot afford to be complacent. Teams like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings are also in the hunt for the playoff, and a slip-up on MI's part could allow these teams to overtake MI. MI is also at the mercy of injuries, loss of form, or bad patches from their key players. This is why squad depth and bench strength become so important.

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 38: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Full Match Highlighs

The Road Ahead: Can MI Script Another Comeback?

The Mumbai Indians have dealt with challenges before. As five-time IPL champions, they have a reputation for rising to the occasion when it matters. The win over CSK gives them something to build off of, but the road to the playoffs won't be easy. They have the right mix of winnable games, a class roster, and a bit of confidence. They have the ability to do it.

If Rohit Sharma leads from the front, Bumrah continues to wreak havoc with the bat, and everyone else chips in, MI has the ability not only to make the playoffs but also to pose a serious threat to the title. The next few weeks will be a challenge, but as their recent performance proves, they are not done. The IPL 2025 playoffs are there for the taking; MI must take advantage of the opportunity and create another moment in their illustrious IPL history.

The IPL 2025 has been a wild journey for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) so far, and following their 9-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 20, fans are wondering whether qualification for the playoffs is now improbable. With 6 losses in their first 8 matches, can CSK turn things around and make it to the top 4? Let’s look at the situation and find out.

After the damaging defeat to MI, CSK has quite a lot to do. The team now finds themselves with just 4 points on the points table and are now on the brink of elimination. More alarmingly, they have a negative Net Run Rate (NRR)—currently at -1.392 - the lowest of all the teams. However, while it will be challenging, there is still some faint hope for the three-time champions.

What CSK Requires to Qualify for Playoffs

Despite the odds, CSK’s playoff dreams are still alive, but just barely. Here’s how they can keep those hopes burning:

1. Win All Remaining Matches: CSK has 6 remaining matches in the group stage. However, should they manage to win all of them, they would gain a full total of 16 points, enough to get into the playoffs of past IPL seasons. This season is even tougher in that 16 points in other seasons has been enough to make it; very rarely would 16 points do it without NRR falling favorably; hence, CSK needs to improve upon their own net run rate.  
  
2. Improve their net run rate: Ultimately, CSK can win all of their remaining matches, but if they do this with a bad net run rate, their total could still leave them out of the final four, especially if other teams gain 16 points. This means CSK needs to not only win but win by large margins in order to improve upon their own net run, which is key to keeping them still in the running if there is a tie-breaker.

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 38: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Full Match Highlights

Remaining Fixtures

To reach the playoffs, CSK must focus on their upcoming matches and perform at their best. Here’s the list of their remaining fixtures:

• vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
• vs Punjab Kings (PBKS)
• vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
• vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)
• vs Gujarat Titans (GT)

Each of these matches is crucial for CSK’s playoff hopes, and they will need to perform consistently in all of them. A slip-up in even one game could be disastrous for their chances.

The Path Forward: What Does CSK Need to Do?

Focus on Team Performance: Experience counts, and CSK will need its senior players, led by captain MS Dhoni, to perform to the required level. The batting and bowling departments must contribute, and every player needs to perform for the team to be successful.

Strategize for NRR: A narrow win won’t cut it for CSK; they need to win by large margins. If the team can win by considerably wider margins against these teams, CSK will gain the 2 points as well as attain a better NRR—which could be the deciding factor later on.

Hope for Favorable Results: CSK needs to perform to make the playoffs, but the results of other teams will be equally important. CSK may have some opportunity to make the playoffs if teams around them stumble; they may only have to finish in the top 4.

Also Read: Top 3 Reasons why Chennai Super Kings Lost to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 Match 38

There is still hope for CSK. Admittedly, it’s not in the best position given their disappointing 9-wicket loss to MI. But if they can win all their matches, they can still squeeze into the playoffs since they will have the opportunity to improve their NRR. CSK needs to be on top of their game going forward, and they are certainly going to need all hands on deck for the rest of the season. But their pedigree and experience in the squad should make it possible for CSK to make a huge comeback, if only in rankings. If CSK can win continuously, keep down their NRR, and get good fortune with the other teams, the Men in Yellow still have a slim chance at the playoffs. 

There will be obstacles, but it’s just like they say in cricket, “Anything can happen.” So, here’s hoping CSK can stand up when they are at their lowest and manage a staggering comeback in IPL 2025!

The IPL 2025 playoff odds for Mumbai Indians (MI) who stand at the seventh position with six points after seven games depend on their ability to win strategically throughout their remaining seven matches to finish in the top four of the 10-team league. Each IPL 2025 team plays 14 league matches before moving into the playoffs which consist of the Qualifier 1 followed by an Eliminator that leads to Qualifier 2 and finally the tournament ends with the Final competition. The traditional requirement for playoffs stands at 16 points from eight victories yet seven wins along with high NRR and beneficial team outcomes could lead to qualification.

Three victories and +0.239 NRR constitute MI's situation on April 17, 2025 while they hold position number three in the league standings. The Mumbai Indians require five additional victories from their upcoming seven clashes to obtain 16 points which would provide them with a qualifying position. Having nine winning games would secure them 14 points unless opposing middle-sitting cricket teams slip up. MI has strengthened its situation due to their recent string of victories that were capped by a four-wicket triumph against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Also Read: [WATCH] IPL 2025: M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s top-notch drainage system stuns fans

MI Path to Playoff Qualification

The upcoming seven games for MI will require them to defeat once each Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings. The team needs to defeat strong opponents Delhi Capitals and Hyderabad Sunrisers due to their active playoff position status. The success of MI depends on preventing crushing losses since they need strong Net Run Rate performance to prevail among other teams with 14 points at stake.

The success of Mumbai Indians relies heavily on the form of key performers Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma when leading the bowling department and batting line-up respectively. The superstars combined with the recent emergence of Ashwani Kumar may sway the overall performance of the Mumbai Indians. The pace bowling strength of Mumbai Indians faces potential strain because of injuries to Bumrah which means Trent Boult will become increasingly important.

Also Read: IPL 2025: GT vs DC Match 35 - A Head to Head breakdown

MI's chance of qualification depends on winning consistently, meaning five matches or more and a good NRR. MI's best chances to win lies in the home games at Wankhede Stadium and they need some results to go their way, namely the Rajasthan Royals or Chennai Super Kings to continue to head south. It is not going to be easy but if the last 2 matches are anything to go by, MI are full of confidence and have shown that they have the ability to fight their way into the playoffs.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is heating up, and the race to the playoffs promises its usual blend of excitement and unpredictability. While the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the ones always in the spotlight with clear favorites, the unpredictability of IPL is what makes it entertaining. The following five teams are ready to upset and make a dramatic entry into the IPL 2025 playoffs and spoil the title pursuit, with each one of them having the potential to disrupt the title race.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Punjab Kings have been IPL underachievers for years, but 2025 might be their year. With the able captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS has assembled a team full of talent. N Wadhera and M stonis provide explosive batting, and P singh provides flair. Their bowling attack, with the swing of Arshdeep Singh, is supported by G Maxwell and Y Chahal's spin. With Ricky Ponting at the helm as coach, PBKS are eager to shed their nearly-men tag. If they can stay consistent, their firepower might take them deep.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Highlights

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals are always in the mix, and 2025 could be the year they finally make it through. With his leadership style, Axar Patel has the right balance. F du Plessis class and aggressive strokeplay from Jake Fraser-McGurk help hold the batting together. The returning KL Rahul's adds muscle and wizardry as the wicketkeeper. In the bowling department, the speed of Mitchell Starc is complemented by the death-over smarts of M Kumar, and the spin of Kuldeep Yadav cuts off the runs. DC's flexibility, particularly at the high-scoring Arun Jaitley Stadium, makes them a dark horse for a playoff berth.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Ever since they made their IPL debut, the Lucknow Super Giants have been reliable performers, but 2025 could be the year they break through. Rishabh Pant's attacking leadership motivates a side that has Quinton de Kock's reliability and Aiden Markram's adaptability. Ayush Badoni adds depth to the batting. Mayank Yadav's raw pace, if fit, could be the game-changer, while Ravi Bishnoi's googlies bring control. With Justin Langer's input to strategy, LSG's attacking style could make them crash the playoff party.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat Titans stunned the IPL with a championship in 2022 and remain a threat. Shubman Gill's calm captaincy and smooth batting set the tone, and Jos Buttler's purpose and Sai Sudharsan's calmness add depth. Rashid Khan's world-class spin, backed by P Krishna's swing, gives GT a deadly bowling edge. Their skill at winning close games, honed under Ashish Nehra, makes them a threat. GT's balance might quietly propel them into playoff contention once more.

Also Read: IPL 2025: SRH vs PBKS – Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket stadium stats and status preview

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has the hopes of several million people resting on them, and this might be the year ending their title drought in 2025. “The hunger” of Virat Kohli, “fireworks” in Phil Salt's powerplay , and “local intelligence” added by Rajat Patidar's captaincy propel the batting. A revamped bowling department is supported by the accuracy of Josh Hazlewood and pace of Yash Dayal. With the batting-friendly surfaces of Chinnaswamy, RCB’s aggression can help register the points, making them a dark horse for the playoffs.

The playoffs, starting May 20 in Hyderabad and culminating at Eden Gardens on May 25, will test their mettle. Don’t be surprised if one of these underdogs ends up stealing the show. Which team are you backing to shake up IPL 2025?

Top Four Teams and Their Strengths

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has predicted the top four teams for the IPL 2025 playoffs, analyzing their strengths and key players.

He expects Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to perform well, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad forming a strong spin attack. However, he raised concerns about MS Dhoni’s batting role and Devon Conway’s form.

Mumbai Indians (MI) also made his list, with Hardik Pandya’s leadership and key players like Allah Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner. However, Pathan noted MI’s tendency to start slow could be a challenge.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were another pick, with experienced bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Liam Livingstone and Tim David adding strength to the middle order.

Lastly, Delhi Capitals (DC) stood out with a powerful top order featuring Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, and KL Rahul, supported by a strong spin attack.

With IPL 2025 in progress, only time will tell if Pathan’s predictions come true

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season begins, cricket analysts have begun placing their bets on the top four teams that will qualify for the playoffs. With well-stocked teams and tough competition in store, the analysts have made their choices based on team balance, previous performances, and likely game-changers.

Expert Predictions:

ALSO SEE: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Lucky Century: The Story of Virat Kohli’s Shoes

•  Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) features in nearly all projections, reflecting heavy faith in their team for IPL 2025.
• Mumbai Indians (MI) have also been highly placed, appearing on most experts' lists.
• Punjab Kings (PBKS) are looking like a dark horse this season, receiving considerable support.
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) are also among the strong favorites.
• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have not been mentioned as much, and that might suggest that there are worries regarding their squad balance or current form.
• Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) receive limited representation, indicating mixed hopes.

With the IPL being full of surprises and unpredictability, it will be intriguing to observe how these predictions turn out as the tournament continues. Fans look forward to thrilling contests and dramatic playoff battles in what is shaping up to be another high-action IPL season.

As the IPL 2024 season progresses, the excitement and tension among fans are reaching new heights. With teams battling it out for a spot in the playoffs, every match becomes crucial in determining their fate.

Kolkata Knight Riders remain on top of the IPL 2024 points table with 18 points in 12 matches and become the first team to qualify for playoffs. Rajasthan Royals are placed 2nd with 16 points in 11 matches. Sunrisers Hyderabad currently occupy the 3rd spot with 14 points. Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants – all are currently stationed with 12 points.

IPL 2024 Playoff Scenario

1. Kolkata Knight Riders:

KKR have set the benchmark by becoming the first team to secure a place in the IPL 2024 playoffs. With an impressive performance throughout the season, KKR has dominated the points table and almost ensured a top-two finish, thanks to their exceptional form and healthy Net Run Rate (NRR). For them to miss out on the top two, they’ll have to lose by really huge margins, and SRH will need two big wins as well.

See Also: BCCI proposes no toss in CK Nayudu, Ranji Trophy split into two parts, and new rules in Duleep Trophy

2. MI and PBKS: Eliminated from Playoff Race: 

Conversely, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have faced disappointment as they are eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race. Despite their efforts, both teams failed to secure enough points to stay in contention, marking an end to their campaign in this tournament edition. Mumbai Indians (MI) currently sit 9th in the table with 8 points in 13 matches and eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race.

3. RCB’s Playoff Qualification Hope: 

Royal Challengers Bangalore still cling to hopes of playoff qualification. With crucial matches remaining, RCB must secure victories to keep their chances alive and potentially sneak into the playoffs. RCB now sit 7th with 10 points to their name. With two matches to go, Bengaluru will have to win the matches to have an outside chance for qualification. RCB will take on Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in the season. SRH and CSK lose both their matches, and LSG win no more than one. Then RCB will have a good chance of surpassing SRH on net run rate, and they will stay ahead of DC and LSG as well.

4. RR’s Qualification Scenario: 

The Rajasthan Royals are relatively comfortable but cannot afford to be complacent. With teams closely trailing, RR must maintain momentum and secure wins in its upcoming matches to solidify its playoff spot. RR will have to win two of their last three games to finish in the top two of the points table. Even if they lose all three, they will be knocked out only if their net run rate falls below that of the winner of the DC-LSG clash, assuming the winner finishes on 16.

5. CSK’s Path to Qualification: 

After a setback against Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings face a challenging road to qualification. With crucial matches ahead, CSK need to regroup and secure victories to ensure its place in the playoffs. CSK’s next two matches are against Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and will have to win both of them to ensure qualification since their net run rate is still a healthy 0.491 despite their 35-run loss to Gujarat Titans.

If they do finish on 14, their best bet will be SRH and DC losing their remaining games and LSG losing to Mumbai Indians to stay on 14. Then, their superior net run rate will ensure CSK finish third, ahead of the two other teams on 14.

CSK can qualify with one victory as well, but in that case-

i. DC will have to lose vs RCB/DC

ii. LSG will have to lose vs MI/DC

iii. CSK will have to beat RCB

6. LSG’s Playoff Hopes: 

Lucknow Super Giants’ playoff hopes hang in the balance after a defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. To have a chance of qualifying, LSG must win their remaining matches and rely on other results to go their way. If Lucknow Super Giants beat Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad or Chennai Super Kings lose their two matches, then KL Rahul and his team will be through to the playoffs. Even if they beat DC but lose to Mumbai, they will be hard-pressed to qualify as the other teams in contention – SRH, DC, CSK and RCB – all have better run rates.

7. SRH’s Quest for Playoff Spot: 

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victory over LSG has boosted their playoff prospects, but they cannot afford to be complacent. Their stunning win over LSG has lifted SRH to 14 points at a net run rate of 0.406, which not only gives them an excellent chance of qualifying but also a shot at finishing in the top two (though they’ll need help from other results for that). With a crucial match against the Gujarat Titans ahead, SRH must continue its winning momentum to secure its place in the playoffs. SRH’s next match against Gujarat Titans is of paramount importance and a win can almost stamp their qualification assurance.

8. GT’s Slim Playoff Chances: 

Gujarat Titans’ victory against CSK has kept their slim playoff hopes alive. However, GT needs favorable results from other matches while winning their own to keep their qualification dreams alive. The teams above them must lose their matches while they will have to win their matches as well.

Qualification for GT is proving to be extremely challenging due to their dismal net run rate of -1.063. Based on their current NRR, GT’s optimal scenario would involve SRH (already on 14 points), DC, and LSG being the remaining teams in contention. However, GT will still require significant victories to surpass at least two of these teams in the standings.

9. DC’s Last Chance:

Delhi Capitals have a final opportunity to make a push for playoff qualification. With only two matches remaining, DC must win both games and hope other results will fall in their favor to secure their spot in the playoffs. They have matches against RCB and LSG. Even if the Capitals win both of their matches, their qualification is not guaranteed as SRH beat LSG and the Hyderabad outfit have the destiny in their own hands now. The fight for the fourth place could be a direct tussle between DC and LSG, with both on 14 points and the former currently having the better run rate.