As the league phase of IPL 2025 approaches its end, the playoff battle has finally resolved with four teams securing their berth in the knockouts. The fight has been intense, and the top four teams – Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians have emerged as class apart with consistent performances throughout the tournament.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these teams, their current standings, and what works for and against them heading into the business end of the tournament.
IPL 2025 POINTS TABLE. 📈
– The battle of the Top 2 begins! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cHUAr7gZFI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 21, 2025
Gujarat Titans (Position: 1st)
Pros:
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have provided solid starts consistently. Their mix of pace, spin, and all-rounders gives them flexibility in various conditions. Titans have a tendency to perform in tight games, displaying calmness under pressure.
Cons:
The middle-order collapses when wickets fall early are still a worry. Though their bowling has been good, they lack the punch to chase large scores at times.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Position: 2nd)
Pros:
Power-packed batting with Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar leading, RCB’s top order has overpowered bowling units. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood have both greatly improved their bowling towards the end of the innings.
Cons:
Continuity issues surrounding Josh Hazlewood may leave them with a weakened pace attack.
Punjab Kings (Position: 3rd)
Pros:
Explosive batting lineup with the likes of Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer have single-handedly turned matches around. Emerging stars like Priyansh Arya and Arshdeep Singh have contributed consistently.
Cons:
Leaking runs in the powerplay and death overs is still a big concern. The team, though talented, does not have deep playoff experience under high-pressure games.
Mumbai Indians (Position: 4th)
Pros:
Hardik Pandya’s leadership has been brilliant. Hardik has guided MI to game-defining victories when it counted. Strong pace attack with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback has strengthened the bowling unit immensely.
Cons:
Slow beginning to the season, MI took time to get into rhythm and were inconsistent in early matches.
Final Saying
The playoffs of IPL 2025 will be exciting, with all four teams having a different combination of experience, talent, and momentum. Gujarat Titans may appear the most balanced, followed by Royal Challengers and Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians, who have kicked off poorly but have reached their best at the right moment.
The fight for a top-two finish continues, and with it comes the precious benefit of a second chance at making the final. There will be fireworks as these four giants face each other for the prized IPL trophy.