IPL 2025 qualification scenarios: Can Rajasthan Royals still make the playoffs?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 25, 2025, 12:21 IST

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Rajasthan Royals faced another defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, diminishing their IPL 2025 playoff hopes. This marks their fifth consecutive loss, a streak unseen since 2009-10. While mathematically still in contention, RR must win all remaining matches to reach a maximum of 14 points. However, with multiple teams poised to surpass this mark, their playoff chances appear increasingly slim.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in IPL 2025, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 11 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. This loss has severely impacted their playoff chances, marking their seventh defeat in nine matches and pushing them to the brink of elimination.
The defeat against RCB was particularly disappointing as it represented the third successive match where Rajasthan lost from a seemingly winning position during a chase. The current five-match losing streak is the longest the team has experienced since the 2009-10 seasons.

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While Rajasthan still maintain a mathematical chance of qualifying, their path to the playoffs has become extremely challenging. They must win all their remaining five matches to reach 14 points, their maximum possible total.

However, even achieving 14 points may not guarantee qualification. Several teams are well-positioned to surpass this mark. Gujarat Titans, RCB, and Delhi Capitals need just two wins each, while Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants require three victories apiece to exceed 14 points.
Kolkata Knight Riders further complicate Rajasthan's prospects, as they can target 16 points with four wins in their remaining eight matches.
Rajasthan's remaining matches includes crucial home games against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Punjab Kings, with one away game against Kolkata Knight Riders.

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The current points table shows Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, and RCB leading with 12 points each. Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants follow with 10 points each. Kolkata Knight Riders hold the seventh position with 8 points.
Rajasthan Royals currently sit in eighth place with just 4 points, alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings who share the same points but differ in net run rate.

We haven't been able to win the crunch moments of a match: Sandeep Sharma

The team's negative net run rate of -0.625 further complicates their qualification scenario, making their path to playoffs increasingly difficult with each passing match.

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TOI Sports Desk

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