 "RCB and PBKS are the favourites to finish in top two in IPL 2025. Image: Reuters")
Just one more league game is left in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 , with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday. RCB are already through to the playoffs and LSG are out of the IPL 2025, but Bengaluru are still not guaranteed a top-two finish.
They are currently in third place behind table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) and second-placed Gujarat Titans (GT). Now, PBKS are guaranteed a top-two spot after beating the third and final playoff team, Mumbai Indians (MI), on Monday.
MI are guaranteed to finish fourth with 16 points from 14 matches, while PBKS have ended their campaign with 19 points. GT have 18 while RCB are on 17.
How RCB can finish at the top of IPL 2025 point stable
Interestingly, GT’s campaign is also over, which means RCB have a clear chance, not only to ensure a top-two finish but also to finish as the best team in the IPL 2025 league stage.
First, they need a win over LSG at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. A win will propel RCB to 19 points, which means GT will drop down to third place and a top-two finish will be guaranteed for RCB.
However, to leapfrog PBKS, RCB will need to improve their net run rate. PBKS have an NRR of +0.372 while RCB’s is +0.255. To surpass PBKS on NRR, RCB to beat LSG by 34 runs (after scoring 200) or win with 21 balls to spare (after conceding 200).
If RCB fail to beat LSG, then they will remain third and face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.
Why do IPL teams want to finish in the top two?
IPL teams finishing in the top two have the advantage of playing for the final twice. The top two teams in the IPL league table face off against each other in Qualifier 1 in the playoffs. While a victory in Qualifier 1 means a direct spot in the IPL final, defeat doesn’t lead to elimination.
The losing team from Qualifier 1 will also take part in Qualifier 2, a second chance to secure a place in the final. The Qualifier 2 is played between the Qualifier 1 loser and the winner of the Eliminator (3rd vs 4th match).