Subhashis Chakraborty
The group league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has just been completed. We have seen a number of exciting performances from all 10 teams. There were 70 matches in total, with each team played 14 matches. There was an interruption in this tournament from May 9 to May 16 due to tension between India and Pakistan. However, things have settled down, and the group stage has drawn to a thrilling close, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as four top teams are preparing to meet in the playoff to decide the winner of season 2025.
A Season of Surprises and Dominance
IPL 2025 has been a season of remarkable stories. While some teams, like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), showcased their consistent brilliance, Punjab Kings emerged as a dark horse, defying expectations to finish top of the table by winning 9 of their 14 encounters. Despite a shaky start, Mumbai Indians (MI) showed a resurgence at the right time in the middle of the league, led by charismatic performances from ex-captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Trent Boult, to enter the playoff. Even though Gujarat Titans (GT) lost their last 2 matches, they finished third from the top.
There were also upsets at the team level, as season 2024 winner Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could not make it to the top 4, as two of their matches were interrupted by rain and lost 2 close matches. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the 6-times winner, showed a miserable performance to finish last in the group.
Final Group Stage Points Table
Here’s how the teams stacked up after the grueling league stage:
| Rank | Team | Matches | Win | Loss | NR | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjab Kings (Q) | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | +0.372 | 19 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Q) | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | +0.301 | 19 |
| 3 | Gujarat Titans (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | +0.254 | 18 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians (Q) | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | +1.142 | 16 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals (E) | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | +0.011 | 15 |
| 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (E) | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | -0.241 | 13 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (E) | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | -0.376 | 12 |
| 8 | Kolkata Knight Riders (E) | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | -0.305 | 12 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals (E) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | -0.549 | 8 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings (E) | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | -0.647 | 8 |
Top Performers of IPL 2025 (League Stage)
The individual brilliance on display throughout the league stage has been captivating. Here are the top 5 run-scorers and wicket-takers for the Orange and Purple Caps, respectively:
Top 5 Batsmen (Orange Cap Race) – IPL 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 14 | 679 | 52.23 | 155.37 |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | GT | 14 | 649 | 54.08 | 156.38 |
| 3 | Suryakumar Yadav | MI | 14 | 640 | 71.11 | 167.97 |
| 4 | Mitchell Marsh | LSG | 13 | 627 | 48.23 | 163.70 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 13 | 602 | 60.20 | 147.91 |
Top 5 Bowlers (Purple Cap Race) – IPL 2025
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noor Ahmad | CSK | 14 | 24 | 8.16 | 17.00 |
| Prasidh Krishna | GT | 14 | 23 | 7.90 | 18.91 |
| Trent Boult | MI | 13 | 19 | 8.40 | 22.26 |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | 10 | 18 | 8.44 | 17.27 |
| Arshdeep Singh | PBKS | 14 | 18 | 8.56 | 23.00 |
There were too many expectations from some players who failed completely in the entire tournament with respect to the money they have received. Rishabh Pant is at the top of the list, as he scored 269 runs while he has received INR 27.5 Cr. Venkatesh Iyer scored only 142 runs in 11 matches. He has received INR 23.75 Cr. The list continues with Mohammed Shami, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Rachin Ravindra, etc.
Playoff Matrix and Venues
The playoffs are set to deliver high-stakes drama and thrilling encounters. Here’s the roadmap to the IPL 2025 Final:
| Match | Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | PBKS vs RCB | May 29, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Eliminator | GT vs MI | May 30, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator | June 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Final | Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 | June 3, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
Playoff Format Explained:
- Qualifier 1: The top two teams (PBKS and RCB) will meet. The winner directly advances to the Final.
- Eliminator: The third and fourth-placed teams (GT and MI) will contest. The loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the winner of the Eliminator. The victor secures the second spot in the Final.
- Final: The winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 battle for the championship title.
What to Expect from the Teams
Punjab Kings (PBKS): PBKS is at the top of the table and will be brimming with confidence. Their robust batting lineup and an equally strong bowling unit make them a formidable opponent. The team will be keen to shed their underperformer tag in the knockout stage.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): RCB has reached the knockout stage 10 times. RCB is a balanced squad where Virat Kohli and the team are batting consistently; they have the momentum. The team will keep no stone unturned to win their maiden title.
Gujarat Titans (GT): The Titans possess a number of match-winners. Shubman Gill is leading from the front and has already scored 649 runs in this season with the bat. However, they lost their last few matches at the end. The team’s ability to produce a big total even in pressure situations and take crucial wickets at the appropriate time can never be underestimated.
Mumbai Indians (MI): As a team with 5-times title holders, MI is an unparalleled team in the knockout matches. They can easily handle any pressure situations. The team seems to be back in shape and overcame all challenges they faced last year when Hardik Pandya joined the team as a captain. They are one of the strong contenders for the trophy too.
Conclusion
Each of the four qualified teams in the knockout stage is equally strong with very little difference among all. Therefore, the upcoming matches are unpredictable and thrilling. A 20-over match is short, and a few good performances in a single day can be the decider. So, stakes are high; expect fireworks, wait for the strategic masterclasses and nail-biting finishes. So, the countdown has already begun; the entire cricket world is very well excited to watch the battle of the knockout matches and to see who will lift the IPL 2025 trophy!
