New Delhi | May 20, 2025 — The playoff race in IPL 2025 is heating up as another team has bowed out. Following their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. They are now the fifth team to exit the tournament, leaving just two teams — Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) — to battle it out for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Three Teams Already Qualified
As things stand, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have already secured their places in the playoffs. Now, the spotlight shifts to the high-stakes encounter on May 21, when Mumbai Indians face Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium — a match that could decisively shape the final four.
May 21: The Crucial Playoff-Deciding Clash
For Mumbai Indians, this will be their first match since the tournament resumed after a short break, and it carries immense playoff implications. If Mumbai wins, they will move to 16 points, securing the fourth playoff berth regardless of their result against Punjab Kings in the final league match.
Delhi, meanwhile, can only reach a maximum of 15 points, meaning a loss to Mumbai would end their playoff hopes entirely.
If Delhi Beats Mumbai: A New Equation
However, should Delhi Capitals defeat Mumbai, the scenario shifts dramatically. DC will climb to 15 points, while MI will remain at 14, giving both teams one final shot depending on their remaining fixtures.
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If Delhi wins both their remaining games (vs Mumbai and Punjab), they will finish with 17 points and comfortably qualify for the playoffs.
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If Mumbai beats Punjab after losing to Delhi, they’ll end at 16 points and could still qualify — provided Delhi loses to Punjab, which would leave DC stuck at 15 and out of contention.
Playoff Race Could End on May 21 or Stretch to May 26
The playoff scenario may be resolved as early as May 21 if Mumbai wins against Delhi. But if Delhi triumphs, the final decision will be delayed until May 26, when Mumbai takes on Punjab Kings in the league’s closing encounter.
Battle for Top Two Still Open
While the race for the fourth spot may soon be resolved, the fight for the top two positions — which guarantee two shots at the final — remains ongoing and is likely to continue into the last phase of the league.
With crucial games on the horizon and multiple playoff scenarios in play, IPL 2025 is building toward a thrilling finish.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
