IPL 2025 Playoffs Guide: Preview, Qualified Teams, Schedule, Venues - All You Need To Know

The Indian Premier League 2025 is coming towards its final stage after 70 fiercely contested clashes, and the playoff phase begins with the first qualifier on 28 May. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) finished the season as table-toppers, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earning second place based on net run rate, with both teams chasing their first IPL title.

Wrapping up the top four are Gujarat Titans (GT) and five-time winners Mumbai Indians (MI), and these four franchises will battle it out over two qualifiers and an eliminator to book a place in the IPL 2025 final on 3 June.

The 18th IPL season has been one of contrast. Serial-winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished last, and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped out of the playoff race after a mid-season wobble.

Teams aiming for their maiden trophy did well, with both Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) narrowly missing out on the top four spots.

IPL 2025 Playoffs – Qualified Teams

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer’s side has been superb this season, losing just four games all season. PBKS secured their top-two spot with a big win over MI on the final day, fielding six uncapped players on the day.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The perennial underperformers of IPL, RCB have been revitalised this year, winning all seven of their away matches. They had to settle for second place due to having a slightly worse net run rate than PBKS.

Gujarat Titans: Two back-to-back defeats ended GT’s hopes of a top-two finish, which will be disappointing for captain Shubman Gill. Their batting unit has been on fire, with Sai Sudharsan, Gill, and Jos Buttler all in the orange cap running.

Mumbai Indians: MI lost their opening two matches, and still made it to the top four, edging out DC on net run rate. Suryakumar Yadav has been decisive for his side with 640 runs, as has been captain Hardik Pandya.

IPL 2025 Playoffs – Format

IPL 2025 will have the qualifier and eliminator format that was adopted in 2011. Qualifier 1 will have the top two teams from the league stage battle it out, with the winner going directly to the final.

The eliminator, meanwhile, will be played between the third and fourth-placed teams. The loser is eliminated from the tournament, while the winner plays the side that lost in Qualifier 1. This match, called Qualifier 2, will decide the second finalist.

IPL 2025 Playoffs – Full Schedule And Venue

IPL 2025 Playoffs – Reserve Day Provisions

In case the Qualifier 1 or the Eliminator is called off due to a rain washout or other reasons, the team with the higher league stage ranking will go through to the next round, as no reserve days have been allocated.

However, reserve days are in place for Qualifier 2 and Final in case of rain washouts.

IPL 2025 Playoffs – Live Streaming Details

The IPL 2025 playoff matches will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar platform in India, while the television broadcast will take place on the Star Sports Network channels.