IPL Play-off Race Explained: Can RCB Still Make the Top-Two after Loss to SRH?
24 May 2025 11:32 AM IST
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has already qualified for the Play-offs and sits third in the points table
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli reacts after playing a shot during the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
Lucknow: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) hopes of finishing in top two were hit after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in its penultimate game of the Indian Premier League on Friday.
Kishan hit five sixes and seven fours as Hyderabad notched up a huge 231-6.
In reply, Bengaluru was bowled out for 189 in 19.5 overs, a defeat that dents its chances of finishing in the top two of the table.
Bengaluru has already qualified for the knockouts and sits third. While it still has a game in hand, Bengaluru is dependent on Punjab Kings’ final two results for a top-two finish, which holds advantage in the knockouts.
With 17 points from 13 games, RCB slipped to third spot from second and its NRR dropped to +0.255 from +0.482.
Race to Play-offs:
RCB's top-two dreams are all but over after their defeat to SRH.
Patidar-led Bengaluru faces a must win scenario in their final match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), even if they win, their top two spot depends on other factors, such as:
Punjab Kings (17) losing their remaining two matches against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Gujarat Titans with 18 points will face Chennai Super Kings in their final match and they must lose for RCB to secure a Qualifier 1 spot.
The men in Red and Gold also hopes that Mumbai Indians lose their final match.
RCB win against LSG -- RCB 19 points
PBKS loss to DC and MI - PBKS 17 points
GT loss to CSK - GT 18 points
MI loss to PBKS - MI 16 points
However, in the match between PBKS vs MI, one will emerge as winner cementing their place in top two. If PBKS wins their Qualifier berth is sealed, if MI wins it depends on other factors. GT also sails through if they win against CSK.
The story ends if RCB loses to LSG and will have to go through the Eliminator.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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