IPL 2025 Playoffs Race: What RCB and Gujarat Titans Need for a Top-Two Finish

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have sealed a top-two finish in IPL 2025 after their win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in Jaipur. That result pushed MI down to No. 4 on the points table, setting up their Eliminator clash on May 30 in Mullanpur.

Meanwhile, PBKS will play Qualifier 1 on May 29, regardless of whether they finish first or second. The final league game — RCB vs LSG on Tuesday — will now determine the final top-two team and who will face PBKS in that crucial Qualifier 1.

Let’s break down what needs to happen for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) or Gujarat Titans (GT) to claim that second spot:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Points: 17
Net Run Rate (NRR): 0.255
Remaining match: vs LSG (in Lucknow)

RCB have destiny in their own hands. If they beat LSG on Tuesday, they will climb to 19 points and secure a top-two finish.

If RCB want to finish on top of the table, they need to not just win but do it big. To overtake PBKS’s NRR of 0.372, they must:

• Win by 34 runs (if they score 200), or
• Chase 200 with 21 balls to spare

If RCB lose, they will stay at 17 points, drop to third, and face MI in the Eliminator.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Points: 18
Net Run Rate (NRR): 0.254
Remaining matches: None

GT have already completed their league games and are currently second.

But their fate depends on RCB. If RCB beat LSG, GT will drop to third and play MI in the Eliminator.

The only way GT can stay in the top two is if LSG beat RCB — so GT fans will be cheering for Lucknow on Tuesday.

What’s at Stake?

• Top two teams play Qualifier 1, with the winner going straight to the final.
• The loser of Qualifier 1 gets one more shot in Qualifier 2, facing the winner of the Eliminator.
• Third and fourth-placed teams play the Eliminator — one loss and you’re out.

Summary

With one game left, Tuesday’s clash between RCB and LSG will be the ultimate decider. Will RCB rise to the top, or will GT sneak through thanks to Lucknow?

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