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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 enters its final stretch, all four qualified teams are gearing up for the high-stakes playoffs. Among them, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are two sides still uncertain about their path forward. With the top two spots offering a crucial advantage in the qualifier round, both teams are locked in a contention to secure a better finish and avoid the eliminator.
IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s chances
The champions of the 2022 edition, GT have witnessed a dramatic downturn in their last two outings of the league. Having dominated the table for a significant period with consistent all-round performances, they surprisingly lost back-to-back matches—first to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and then to the struggling but unpredictable Chennai Super Kings (CSK). These unexpected defeats not only dented their confidence but also left them stranded on 18 points, forcing them to depend on the outcomes of other fixtures. What once looked like a smooth passage to Qualifier 1 is now a tense wait for favourable results.
RCB, a team chasing their elusive maiden title for the past 18 years, have shown real promise and resilience this season. Currently sitting third on the points table with 8 wins from 13 games, the team appears to be one of the stronger contenders to lift the trophy. With a more balanced squad and improved death bowling, their journey has inspired hope among fans. However, a heavy defeat in their previous match against a power-packed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has thrown a spanner in the works. That loss has made their final league game against LSG a high-pressure, do-or-die clash—with a Qualifier 1 spot and crucial playoff momentum on the line.
- If RCB wins, they will face PBKS in Qualifier 1, GT will face MI in eliminator
- If RCB loses, they will play eliminator with MI, GT will face PBKS in Qualifier 1
Playoff picture clears for Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians
Following last night’s high-stakes clash between Punjab and Mumbai, the playoff picture became clearer. PBKS clinched a top-two finish with a commanding seven-wicket win, securing a place in Qualifier 1 and earning two chances to reach the final. Meanwhile, the loss pushed MI down to fourth place, confirming their spot in the Eliminator. Both teams now prepare for the knockout stage with high hopes and renewed focus.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Punjab Kings seal Qualifier 1 spot; Mumbai Indians slip into Eliminator after defeat
