IPL 2025 playoff race heats up: RCB’s top-2 hopes dim after 42-run loss to SRH
There are hardly a few matches remaining in the league phase of IPL 2025. Four teams have already made it to the playoffs. But these four teams are now witnessing a struggle for the top-2. Royal Challengers Bangalore have taken a big hit in this battle.
In the 65th match of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bangalore lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 42 runs. Since this loss, the pressure on Royal Challengers Bangalore has grown. In fact, he already qualified for the playoffs. But ending the league stage in top-2 now is a huge challenge. He is now third on the points table and has one more game left. In such a case, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians have now a huge opportunity to reach the top-2.
RCB's loss altered the top-2 scenario
Royal Challengers Bangalore have so far played 13 games in this season and hold 17 points. Its net run rate (NRR) is +0.255. Contrarily, Gujarat Titans are placed on top with 18 points and a net run rate of +0.602, whereas Punjab Kings are placed second with 17 points and a net run rate of +0.389. Mumbai Indians are in fourth position with 16 points and a net run rate of +1.292. Simultaneously, excluding RCB in the league stage, Mumbai and Gujarat also have 1-1 matches remaining. But Punjab has 2 matches remaining.
How will RCB achieve top-2?
The path to RCB to make it into the top-2 is not smooth. Now he will have to win in his last league match. But winning is not enough. If Punjab Kings lose their both remaining matches, then RCB will get an opportunity to reach the top-2. Besides this, if Punjab loses heavily in one of their matches and their net run rate decreases below RCB, then RCB can gain profit as well.
Mumbai can beat their last league match and achieve the top-2
In a different scenario, if RCB wins their last match and Gujarat Titans lose their last match, RCB can still find themselves in the top-2. But the net run rate of RCB is less than that of Punjab and Gujarat, which is the largest hurdle in front of it. Mumbai Indians have the highest net run rate (+1.292) with 16 points, however. If Gujarat and RCB lose their last match, then Mumbai can beat their last league match and achieve the top-2.
