Explained: How Can RCB, PBKS, GT Seal Elusive Top Two Spot After Playoff Qualification

RCB, GT, and PBKS are in a tough battle for the top two spots |courtesy - BCCI/IPL

KEY HIGHLIGHTS RCB, GT, and PBKS have qualified for the playoffs

The three teams are separated by one point

The top two race will go down to the wire

The first day of action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the restart on Sunday (May 19) saw three teams seal qualification for the playoffs as Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sealed their spot in the second round.

This leaves just one spot left in the qualification race, with 10 matches still left in the league stage. Delhi Capitals (DC), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will compete for the last spot with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) all officially knocked out.

However, the next eight days will not just be about which teams get the last spot, but also about getting the elusive top two spots.

For those unversed, the two teams that finish first and second in the IPL table get two chances to make the final as they play in the first qualifier. The winner of that match directly reaches the final, while the loser plays the winner of the eliminator (third vs fourth) in the second qualifier.

Since the playoff system was introduced in 2011, the IPL has been won by a team finishing in the top two in 14 of the 15 seasons, with Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) triumph in 2016 being the only exception.

How GT, RCB, PBKS Can Seal Top Two Spot?

As things stand, GT are the best placed to seal a top two finish, as if they win each of their remaining two games, they will get a top two spot regardless of what happens in the other games. This is because while all teams have lost three games, GT have not been involved in a whitewash and have 18 points while both RCB and PBKS have 17.

Neither RCB, GT, or PRBKS are playing each other in their remaining games, which means a case where each teams wins all three games can happen.

If that happens, GT and the team with a better NRR between RCB and PBKS will qualify.

If either RCB or PBKS loses one match and the other wins their remaining two matches, that team will qualify.

If GT lose one match and both RCB and PBKs win both matches, the Shubman Gill-led side will miss out on the top two.

Essentially, the Titans need to only match the result of the other teams to get the top two spot. On the other hand, RCB and PBKS need to either get one win more than GT or have a superior NRR than the other team.

MI also have a chance of finishing in the top two, but that situation will need the Hardik Pandya-led side to win both their matches and two teams among RCB, GT, and PBKS to lose both remaining matches.

DC can also make the top two but they need both RCB and PBKS to lose both of their remaining two games and also get a major NNR boost. LSG can qualify for the playoffs, but have no chance of finishing in the top two.

IPL 2025 Top Two Contenders Remaining Fixtures:

Gujarat Titans:

LSG (H) - 22nd May

CSK (H) - 25th May

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

SRH (H) - 23rd May

LSG (A) - 27th May

Punjab Kings

DC (H) - 24th May

MI (H) - 26th May

Mumbai Indians

DC (H) - 21st May

PBKS (A) - 26th May

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