Eden Gardens witnessed a thrilling encounter on Wednesday as Chennai Super Kings edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by 2 wickets. KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, posted a competitive 179/6 in their 20 overs. However, MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings chased down the target, finishing at 183/8 in 19.4 overs, also foiling KKR’s playoffs hope.
s we approach the business end of IPL 2025, the race for the playoffs is intensifying. Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are currently leading the pack, both sitting comfortably at 16 points. However, the competition is fierce, with several teams still vying for a coveted spot in the top four. Let’s take a closer look at the current standings and what it means for each team.
The Top Contenders: Titans and Challengers
Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans are perched at the top of the table, thanks to a superior net run rate of +0.793. With 8 wins out of 11 matches, GT has displayed consistent performance throughout the season.
Hot on their heels is Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru, also with 16 points from 11 games. RCB’s resurgence has been one of the highlights of the season. Virat Kohli’s consistent run-scoring at the top, coupled with timely contributions from the middle order, has propelled them to the top. However, their net run rate of +0.482 is slightly lower than GT’s.See, I’ll stick to this game.
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The Chasing Pack: Kings, Indians, and Capitals
Punjab Kings (PBKS), under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, are breathing down the necks of the top two with 15 points from 11 matches. A net run rate of +0.376 keeps them firmly in contention.
Mumbai Indians (MI), captained by Hardik Pandya, are also in a strong position with 14 points from 12 games. Their impressive net run rate of +1.156 is the best in the league. However, they have played one more match than most of their rivals, putting extra pressure on them to maintain their winning momentum.
Axar Patel’s Delhi Capitals (DC) are currently fifth with 13 points from 11 matches, including one no result.
Knight Riders and Super Giants: On the Edge
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Ajinkya Rahane, are in a precarious position with 11 points from 12 matches. Despite having a positive net run rate of +0.193, their inconsistent performances have left them needing a miracle to qualify for the playoffs. They need to win their remaining games convincingly and hope other results go their way.
Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are also struggling, with 10 points from 11 games and a negative net run rate of -0.469. LSG need to find some consistency. Their bowling attack need to fire in unison if they want to make it to the playoffs.
The Bottom Dwellers: Sunrisers, Royals, and Super Kings
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table. Pat Cummins’ SRH have 7 points, while Sanju Samson’s RR and MS Dhoni’s CSK both have 6 points. All three are eliminated from the playoffs and are playing for pride.
| Position | Team | Points | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Net Run Rate | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | 16 | 11 | 8 | 3 | +0.793 | 0 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 16 | 11 | 8 | 3 | +0.482 | 0 |
| 3 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 | +0.376 | 1 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 14 | 12 | 7 | 5 | +1.156 | 0 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | 13 | 11 | 6 | 4 | +0.362 | 1 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 11 | 12 | 5 | 6 | +0.193 | 1 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 10 | 11 | 5 | 6 | -0.469 | 0 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 7 | 11 | 3 | 7 | -1.192 | 1 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 6 | 12 | 3 | 9 | -0.718 | 0 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 6 | 12 | 3 | 9 | -0.992 | 0 |
What’s Next?
DC and SRH will lock horns on Thursday evening at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
