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The IPL 2025 season has been a roller-coaster ride for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After their nail-biting 1-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on May 4, the defending champions reignited hopes of making it to the playoffs.
With five wins in 11 matches and 11 points on the board, KKR currently sit sixth in the points table. While their path to qualification is narrow, it is certainly not blocked. With three crucial games left, every run, wicket, and strategy will count if KKR hope to extend their title defence into the knockout rounds.
How can KKR qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs?
KKR needs to win it all to move ahead
The simplest route to qualification for KKR is to win all three of their remaining matches. Victories against Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru would push their points tally to 17 — a total that virtually guarantees a place in the top four. These aren’t just any fixtures; each opponent brings its own challenges. CSK at Eden Gardens will be a test of KKR’s home strength, while the clash against SRH in Hyderabad is a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 IPL final. The final hurdle, against a resurgent RCB in Bengaluru, will be played on a batting paradise where margins are slim and nerves are tighter.
To achieve this, KKR will need to continue relying on their star performers. Andre Russell’s blistering form — exemplified by his unbeaten 57 off 25 balls against RR — will be crucial. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi is proving to be a reliable anchor, and the bowling unit led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana is starting to gel at the right time. Captain Ajinkya Rahane‘s tactical nous will also be tested in crunch moments.
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Two wins and a little help from the table
Even if KKR manage to win only two of their last three games, all hope is not lost. A finish with 15 points could still get them into the playoffs, but they’ll need the mid-table chaos to play in their favour. In this scenario, KKR would require that no more than three teams finish the league stage with more than 15 points. That means hoping for a few upsets and close finishes in other fixtures. Net run rate will also become critical in this equation, so KKR must aim to win big in at least one of their remaining games.
Moreover, keeping key players fit and firing is essential. Rotation, smart team selections, and sharp fielding could make all the difference in this congested phase. The experience of players like Moeen Ali, who picked up two important wickets in the last match, could become vital assets as the pressure builds.
The path to the IPL 2025 playoffs may be narrow for KKR, but it’s far from closed. With form returning at the right time and a hunger to defend their crown, Rahane’s men have the tools — and now the momentum — to script a memorable late-season surge.
