🏏IPL 2025 - Match 59: PBKS vs RR on 18th May 2025 at SMS, Jaipur🏏 - Page 4

Playoff scenarios

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Played: 12, Points: 17, NRR: 0.482

Remaining matches: SRH (home), LSG (away)

After the abandoned game in Bengaluru, RCB need one more point to seal their place in the playoffs. With 17, they aren't quite there yet as five teams can still finish on 17 or more points. That can happen if Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) but lose their last two games, to Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI). If MI beat DC, then RCB, MI, GT, DC and PBKS can all finish on 17 or more points with eight wins, in which case run rates will come into play.

Punjab Kings

Played: 11, Points: 15, NRR: 0.376

Remaining matches: RR (a), DC (Jaipur), MI (Jaipur)

PBKS need two wins to be certain of qualification. At the moment, 17 points won't assure qualification as five teams can get to 17 or more, as explained above. However, PBKS can qualify with 17 points if they beat DC and lose their other two matches, as in that case, only one of MI or DC can finish on 17 or more points, since they play each other.

PBKS can sneak through even if they lose all three matches and stay on 15, but for that to happen DC will have to lose their two other matches, so that they stay on 15, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will have to win no more than two of their three games. It'll then come down to run rates between PBKS and DC for one spot.

Gujarat Titans

Played: 11, Points: 16, NRR: 0.793

Remaining matches: DC (a), LSG (h), CSK (h)

Gujarat Titans (GT) are just one win away from making the playoffs - 18 points will assure a team of a top-four finish. However, if they lose their three remaining games they could get knocked out as four teams can still finish on 17 or more points. Titans have a favourable itinerary too, with their last two games scheduled at home in Ahmedabad, where they have a formidable 4-1 record so far. Their net run rate is currently second only to Mumbai Indians (MI), which could help them with qualification or a top-two finish.

Rashid Khan and his team-mates are pumped after a smart catch got rid of Travis Head, Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2025, Ahmedabad, May 2, 2025

Gujarat Titans will play their last two games at home•BCCI

Mumbai Indians

Played: 12, Points: 14, NRR: 1.156

Remaining matches: DC (h), PBKS (Jaipur)

Despite the loss to GT, MI are still in control of their destiny, as wins in their last two matches will ensure a place in the playoffs. For them to go through on 16 points, though, they'll need help from other results, while defeats in their two remaining games will eliminate them. MI also have an excellent net run rate of 1.156, which could yet be crucial if qualification comes down to that.

Delhi Capitals

Played: 11, Points: 13, NRR: 0.362

Remaining matches: GT (h), MI (a), PBKS (Jaipur),

A lucky point due to a washout against SRH has given DC a valuable point in their qualification bid. Fifteen will push them into the top four only if several other results go in their favour, while 17 could also place them at the mercy of other results - it's still possible for five teams to finish on 17 or more points. Wins in all three remaining matches will ensure qualification, but that will require a huge reversal of form, given that they have only won one of their last five matches.

Lucknow Super Giants

Played: 11, Points: 10, NRR: -0.469

Remaining matches: SRH (h), GT (a), RCB (h)

LSG are struggling for momentum, having lost three in a row, and four of their last five. The best they can do now is win their three remaining matches, finish on 16 points, and hope that one or more of the in-form teams suffer a sudden reversal of fortunes. If they lose another match, though, they will be eliminated. Their terrible NRR of -0.469 doesn't help their cause either.

So, in terms of squad news, Kyle Jamieson has been signed by PBKS to replace the injured Lockie Ferguson, while Royals have brought in Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Nandre Burger as replacements.

Here is a list of all overseas players that are available for the IPL teams for the remainder if IPL 2025, and those who are not.

Saurabh: "Hoping Brar to get a game today. Him and Chahal can cause mayhem in the middle order." -- Jaipur has offered help to spinners, so that may be the direction for PBKS.

RR win this one for RCB fans

Ricky Ponting | PBKS Head Coach: It's been a really good, really positive start to the tournament. We've played some really good cricket on the way through, we're sitting where we are on the table as a result of that. We've had some challenges last week like everybody has but the boys have come back together particularly well. We've got some really strong good characters around this group that'll hopefully lead the way again today. This is going to be our home ground after this game as well, so we've got to get a good understanding of the conditions here, make sure we play well today and carry that over to the back half of the tournament. I couldn't be happier with the way the group has come together and we've played some really good cricket so far. We were playing good cricket when we finished, there's no reason we can't play good cricket again today. That's the way to look at it. To be honest, we haven't spoken about anything, we came back together three days ago, three really solid days of training and preparation here in the sun and in the heat. Everything that the boys have said whether it's been through the three days or through the team meeting today has been ultra positive and they can't wait to get back out there and play again. Really good signs around this group. (Believer of peaking at the right time?) Definitely, there's no doubt about that. All tournaments are about that, trying to peak at the right time. What does peaking mean is it means you've got all the best players in form in the important games and that's where we are building to. Our top-order batting in the last few games has been particularly good, we've been able to post some really big scores. As long as that hunger is still there and I expect that from this group because so far in the tournament we've achieved nothing yet. I've loved working with Shreyas, he's a great human being. You've seen in this tournament how good a player he is and his leadership has been outstanding. We've got no issues going forward.

PKBs won the toss and will bat first.

Owen, Azmat, Jansen playing

Punjab Kings have won the toss and have opted to bat

Shreyas Iyer: We are going to bat first. The wicket looks fantastic, know how it plays here. The powerhouse has been our batting, so got to make the best use of it. Everyone is in high spirits. The mindset has been strong. Trying to make the best use of the sources. Kudos to the Army forces. Mitch Owen, Jansen, Omarzai are playing..

Sanju Samson: Wanted to bowl first after how the pitch behaved in the last game against RCB. Let's see how it plays out today. I am okay, hundred percent fit. I would love to respect where he (Suryavanshi) is batting. He has played well for us. I will bat down the order, I come in for Nitish Rana. Maphaka comes in for Jofra Archer..

Sanju Samson: Wanted to bowl first after how the pitch behaved in the last game against RCB. Let's see how it plays out today. I am okay, hundred percent fit. I would love to respect where he (Suryavanshi) is batting. He has played well for us. I will bat down the order, I come in for Nitish Rana. Maphaka comes in for Jofra Archer..

Shreyas Iyer: We are going to bat first. The wicket looks fantastic, know how it plays here. The powerhouse has been our batting, so got to make the best use of it. Everyone is in high spirits. The mindset has been strong. Trying to make the best use of the sources. Kudos to the Army forces. Mitch Owen, Jansen, Omarzai are playing..

Punjab Kings have won the toss and have opted to bat

Bhandari: "Hi Abhimanyu, do you see the teenaged talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi playing today despite Samson's return?" -- I think they will stick with him in the opener's position, with Samson slotting in at No. 3 maybe.