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After a resounding 59-run win over Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians (MI) have not only kept their IPL 2025 title hopes alive but also secured the final playoff spot. With 16 points from 13 matches, the five-time champions now stand on the brink of an improbable leap into the coveted top two of the points table—a position that offers a crucial double chance in the playoffs. But with just one league match left and fierce competition from Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings, MI’s path is narrow and filled with ifs and buts.
MI’s must-win equation in order to finish in top 2 of the IPL 2025 points table
For MI, the first and most non-negotiable step is to win their final league match against PBKS. This victory would elevate them to 18 points, putting them on par with the current table-toppers, GT, who already have 18 points, and potentially ahead of RCB and PBKS, both sitting at 17 points with two matches remaining each.
However, a win alone won’t suffice. MI’s fate is intricately linked to the performances of the other top contenders. For Mumbai to finish in the top two, at least two of the current top three—GT, RCB, and PBKS—must lose both of their remaining matches. If this domino effect unfolds, MI would be one of only two teams to reach or surpass 18 points, and their superior Net Run Rate (NRR) could propel them to second, or even first, on the table.
Should all three top teams falter in both their remaining games, MI could astonishingly finish at the summit of the league stage. But if even two of these three manage to win just one match each, Mumbai’s hopes of a top-two finish—and the accompanying safety net in Qualifier 1—will be dashed.
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MI’s secret weapon if the domino effect comes into play against current top 3
This final week isn’t just about matches anymore — it’s about margins, run rates, and scoreboard scrutiny. Every run, every wicket, and every over could shift the playoff matrix. For MI, the calculators will come out immediately after their clash with PBKS. They’ll watch the remaining fixtures with bated breath, hoping not just for defeats, but for heavy defeats for their rivals.
Net Run Rate could be Mumbai’s greatest ally — or their silent killer. Their task is not only to win, but to win big. Simultaneously, they’ll need their competitors to lose big. A narrow defeat for RCB or a close finish for Gujarat could ruin everything. This is where Mumbai’s famed big-match temperament and strategic nous off the field could matter just as much as their fireworks on it.
If the points scenario aligns in MI’s favor, Net Run Rate could become the ultimate tiebreaker. Currently, Mumbai boasts an impressive NRR of +1.292, significantly higher than Gujarat Titans (+0.795), RCB (+0.482), and PBKS (+0.389). This statistical edge means that if teams are tied on points, Mumbai’s dominant victories throughout the season could give them the upper hand in the final standings.
Also READ: Fans go berserk as Mumbai Indians knock Delhi Capitals out of IPL 2025
