Punjab Kings Secure Top-Two Spot, RCB in Direct Race with Gujarat Titans
In a stunning turnaround late in the IPL 2025 season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have officially secured a top-two finish, booking their place in Qualifier 1 and guaranteeing two shots at the IPL final. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) now find themselves in a direct face-off with Gujarat Titans (GT) for the final playoff slot — raising the stakes of the remaining league matches.
PBKS Script Remarkable Comeback
PBKS sealed their top-two spot with a dominant win over Mumbai Indians, finishing their league stage with 20 points and the best Net Run Rate (NRR) of the season so far. It marks one of the most remarkable comebacks in IPL history, with Punjab rising from the bottom half of the table midway through the tournament to one of the strongest finishes.
Captain Shikhar Dhawan credited the turnaround to “unwavering belief and fearless cricket.”
RCB vs GT: One Spot, One Battle
With PBKS and Delhi Capitals both securing top-two finishes, only one playoff spot remains, and it’s a straight shootout between RCB and Gujarat Titans. Both teams are currently on 16 and 14 points respectively, with one match left each.
Here’s what’s at stake:
✅ For RCB:
- Must beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Ensure Net Run Rate remains higher than GT (currently it is)
- A win guarantees Eliminator entry
⚠️ For Gujarat Titans:
- Need to defeat Delhi Capitals convincingly
- Rely on RCB losing or winning narrowly
- Also dependent on NRR comparisons
RCB Focused on Final Match
Speaking ahead of their must-win clash, Faf du Plessis stated:
“The boys know what’s at stake. There’s pressure, yes — but this is what big teams thrive on.”
RCB will bank on Virat Kohli’s consistency, Hazlewood’s return, and the support of their passionate fanbase as they aim to avoid another missed opportunity.
Fan Buzz and Final Countdown
RCB and GT fans are lighting up social media as the playoff equation heats up. Hashtags like #RCBvsLSG, #GTvsDC, and #IPL2025PlayoffBattle are trending across platforms, and ticket sales for the final league matches have surged.
Final Word
With Punjab Kings locking up the top-two spot, the IPL 2025 playoff race has entered sudden-death mode for RCB and GT. Only one of them will survive — and the coming days will determine who continues their quest for IPL glory.