The four playoff teams were confirmed several days ago, with seven league matches still remaining — a record for the earliest confirmation in IPL history.
However, even as the league phase nears its end today, the calculations and scenarios are far from settled. Which teams will finish in the top four, who will play the first qualifier, and who will face the eliminator will be decided after tonight’s match between Pant-Puran’s Lucknow Super Giants and Kohli-Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.
But even after the league stage concludes, IPL drama continues. The real battle for the qualifiers began right after the playoffs spots were sealed. Yesterday, Punjab Kings became the first team to secure a place in the qualifier.
By beating Mumbai Indians last night, Punjab Kings climbed to the top of the points table. Preity Zinta’s team has also secured their spot in the first qualifier, where they will face one of the teams in the top two. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have confirmed their place in the eliminator. Who their opponent will be is yet to be decided.
According to IPL rules, the teams finishing first and second in the points table get to play the first qualifier. The third and fourth placed teams must play the eliminator.
The winner of the first qualifier advances straight to the final. The losing team gets another chance by playing the second qualifier against the eliminator winner. Clearly, qualifying for the first qualifier significantly boosts a team’s chances to reach the final, as they get two opportunities. In contrast, teams in the eliminator must win two consecutive matches to reach the final.
If Bangalore beats Lucknow today, they will secure a top-two finish. But to finish first, they need to surpass Punjab Kings by a net run rate margin of 0.372.
Tonight’s Lucknow vs Bangalore match will determine who faces Punjab Kings in the qualifier and who goes up against Mumbai Indians in the eliminator.
Lucknow Super Giants were eliminated from playoff contention long ago. Rishabh Pant’s side currently sits seventh on the points table. If they beat Bangalore, they will finish sixth, but a heavy loss could push them down to eighth and end their season.
What the Lucknow vs Bangalore match result means:
Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Points: 17
- Net Run Rate: +0.255
- Remaining match: vs Lucknow Super Giants
If Bangalore beats Lucknow, they secure a top-two finish. To finish first, they must surpass Punjab Kings by a margin of 0.372 in net run rate — meaning either a 200-run target chased with 21 balls to spare or a 34-run victory defending 200 runs.
Even without meeting that margin, a win guarantees second place. A loss would keep them stuck at 17 points, dropping them to third and forcing them to play Mumbai Indians in the eliminator.
Gujarat Titans
- Points: 18
- Net Run Rate: +0.254
- No matches remaining
Gujarat’s league phase is over. Now they watch the results tonight closely.
If Bangalore wins, Gujarat will drop to third and play Mumbai Indians in the eliminator. If Lucknow wins, Gujarat stays second and faces Punjab Kings in the first qualifier.
