After a week-long break due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to resume on Saturday, April 17. With only a few games left in the competition, seven franchises will be ready to secure their spots in the playoffs.
Three teams had 15, 14, and 13 points, while two franchises were equal for 16 points when the IPL 2025 was paused for a week on May 8.
Even if they need to work harder than the rest to secure a berth in the top four, two teams with 11 and 10 points are still mathematically in the running for the playoffs.
Shubman Gill’s Gujarat is back on track this year, and how, after a dismal performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League. They now have a net run rate of 0.79 and have won eight of their 11 games. The absence of their important overseas cricket players might hurt them even if they just need one more victory to guarantee a postseason berth.
Thus far, RCB’s season has been outstanding, despite their squad seeming to be difficult for some to defeat. They have won all six of their away games, making their away performances a standout aspect of their season. If RCB wins one more game, they will qualify for the playoffs, just like Gujarat.
For the first time in eleven years, PBKS reached the milestone and made history by reaching 15 points. With a victory in one of their remaining games, they too may secure a postseason berth. Josh Inglis is the only player that may not be on their squad going forward, which shouldn’t cause them too much trouble.
Slow-starting perennials Before meeting GT, who ended their streak, MI had some momentum after winning all six of their previous games. While even one victory will get them closer but not ensure a place in the playoffs, they would need two more to secure a position.
They have only achieved two wins from their next seven games, with one match being rained out, after a strong start of four wins in a row. DC, who are still two victories away from a definite position, may lose out on Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, who have been selected for the WTC Finals in their respective teams.
Thed-to-last team on the list that may be regarded as a contender to make the playoffs and win the championship again is KKR. They suffered a severe setback after losing to the Chennai Super Kings in their most recent game. They have two games left to win, after which they must pray for favorable outcomes.
Lucknow, headed by Rishabh Pant, is in danger of being eliminated; they must win their next three games and hope to finish third or fourth in the standings. South Africa’s roster for the WTC Final includes Aiden Markram; it remains to be seen whether he returns.
