With just a few matches left in the league stage, the IPL 2025 top two race is the last remaining battle to be decided. Four teams — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS)and Mumbai Indians (MI) — have already qualified for the playoffs. But finishing in the top two offers a critical advantage: a place in Qualifier 1 and a second shot at making the final.

In this article, we break down the IPL 2025 top two raceanalyzing what each of the four teams, from the current points table positionneeds to do to finish in the top two and how upcoming matches will shape the final standings.

IPL 2025 Top Two: Updated Points Table (After RCB vs SRH on May 23)

All four teams are mathematically qualified. The IPL 2025 top two will be decided over the next five league matches.

Key Upcoming Fixtures

• PBKS vs DC – May 24
• GT vs CSK – May 25
• PBKS VS MI – May 26
• RCB vs LSG – May 27

IPL 2025 Top Two Chances Percentages (Updated May 23 after RCB vs SRH)

The IPL 2025 top two race has taken another dramatic turn after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) unexpected defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23. With that loss, RCB’s top two chances have been significantly dented, and their path to a top-two finish has become much more complicated. Their NRR has slipped below that of PBKS as a result of which they are now third in the points table. While Gujarat Titans (GT) still sit in a favorable position with 18 points, RCB now have 17 points, with only one match left — against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27.

RCB Top Two Chances Dented After Shock Loss at Home to SRH

RCB were previously in a strong position to finish in the top two, but their loss to SRH has put their chances in jeopardy. They were hoping to secure a top-two spot with at least one win from their remaining matches, but now, even if they win against LSG, they will need other teams to falter to guarantee a top-two finish.

Previously, RCB had leapfrogged GT in the top two race, with their top-two chances increasing after GT’s defeat to LSG. However, RCB’s own defeat has put them back into a more precarious position. While a win over LSG would take them to 19 points, their top two chances are now uncertain, and they will need favorable results from other teams (like GT or PBKS) to secure a top-two spot.

GT Top Two: Can Gujarat Titans Hold On?

The GT top two chances have taken a small hit after their recent defeat to LSG, dropping their Net Run Rate from +0.795 to +0.602. However, they still sit atop the points table with 18 points from 13 matches.

What GT Need:

• Win vs CSK (May 25) to finish with 20 points and secure a top two finish.
• If they lose, they remain on 18 and risk being overtaken by RCB and BKS if both win their remaining games.
• Their NRR is now behind MI’s but still ahead of RCB and PBKS.

GT Top Two Scenarios:

• 1 win = Top two almost guaranteed
• Loss = Need RCB or PBKS to lose one.

GT top two probability: 63.1%

RCB Top Two: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Slip Up

The RCB top two battle is now more complicated after their loss to SRH. With 17 points and one game remaining, RCB can finish as high as 19 points.

What RCB Need:

• Win vs LSG to reach 19 points and have a solid chance of finishing in the top two.
• Even with one loss, they’re still in contention, but will rely on other results.

RCB Top Two Scenarios:

• 1 win = Likely Top 2 if BKS or GT slip.
• 2 losses = Could drop to 3rd or 4th.

RCB top two probability: 55.3%

PBKS Top Two: Can Punjab Kings Push Through?

PBKS top two hopes are alive but complicated. With 17 points and a lower NRR (+0.389), they must win both remaining matches — against DC and MI — to stand a real chance.

What PBKS Need:

• Beat DC on May 24 and MI on May 26.
• Hope GT lose to CSK or RCB drop their match against LSG.
• Improve NRR in both games, especially vs MI (a 4-point clash).

PBKS Top Two Scenarios:

• 2 wins = 21 pointspossible Top 2 if RCB/GT drop points.
• 1 loss = Eliminator bound.

PBKS top two probability: 53.3%

MI Top Two: Still Alive, But Barely

Have MI qualified? Yes. But the Mumbai Indians top two hopes hang by a thread. Despite having the best NRR in the league (+1.292), they only have one match left — a tough one against BKS on May 26.

What MI Need:

• Beat BKS convincingly to reach 18 points.
• Hope GT lose to CSK and RCB lose their match against LSG.
• Let NRR do the rest.

MI Top Two Scenarios:

• Win + help = Top 2 possibility.
• Loss = Stay 4thplay Eliminator.

MI top two probability: 12.2%

Who Will Finish Top Two in IPL 2025?

The big question now: Who will finish top two in IPL 2025? Based on current trends and probabilities, here’s how things stack up:

• RCB – Still in a good position with 17 points and one game left, but their top two chances have been dented after the loss to SRH. They need to win against LSG and hope for favorable results.
• GT – Need one win to secure a top two finish, but their pressure has increased after their loss to LSG. They need to win against CSK to maintain control of their destiny.
• BKS – Must win both of their remaining matches and hope for a slip-up from GT or RCB. Their NRR remains a challenge, and they need to improve it, especially in their clash against MI.
• MI – Mathematically alive, but they need a lot of help to finish in the top two. They need to beat PBKS convincingly, hope for losses from RCB and GT, and rely on NRR to play a crucial role.

If the current leaders GT and RCB win their next matches, the IPL 2025 top two is likely to be:

• Qualifier 1: GT vs RCB (May 29)
• Eliminator: PBKS VS MI (May 30)
• Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator (June 1)
• Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 (June 3)

Final Verdict: IPL 2025 Top Two Race

The battle for the IPL 2025 top two is entering its most exciting phase. While RCB top two and GT top two remain the front-runners, PBKS top two and MI top two are not completely out of the race just yet, especially Punjab who face DC in a key game on May 24.

With more direct face-offs like PBKS VS MI and RCB vs LSGand Net Run Rate hanging over every over, this year’s IPL 2025 playoffs race promises a dramatic finish.

So, whether you’re wondering who will finish top two in IPLor can RCB finish top twothe next few matches will offer all the answers — and perhaps, a few surprises.

FAQs: IPL 2025 Top Two Qualification Scenarios

Can RCB still finish in the top two in IPL 2025?

Yes, RCB can still finish in the top two, but their chances have been dented after the loss to SRH. They need to win their final match against LSG and hope for favorable results from other teams like GT and PBKS.

What does GT need to do to secure a top two finish in IPL 2025?

Gujarat Titans need to win their remaining match against CSK on May 25 to secure a top two finish. A loss would leave them needing other teams to slip up, such as RCB or PBKS.

What are PBKS’s chances of finishing in the top two?

PBKS must win both of their remaining matches against DC and MI. They also need favorable results from GT or RCB to drop points. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) is a concern and needs improvement, especially in the match against MI.

Can MI still qualify for the top two in IPL 2025?

MI’s chances of finishing in the top two are slim, but they are still mathematically alive. They need to beat PBKS convincingly and hope for losses from both RCB and GT. Additionally, MI will rely heavily on their superior NRR to improve their standing.

What happens if RCB and GT win their next matches in IPL 2025?

If both RCB and GT win their next matches, the likely top two finish will be Qualifier 1: GT vs RCB (May 29). This will be followed by the Eliminator: PBKS vs MI (May 30), Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator (June 1)and the Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 (June 3).

How likely are RCB and GT to finish in the top two in IPL 2025?

RCB’s chances have dropped slightly after the SRH loss, but they still have a good chance of finishing in the top two if they beat LSG and get favorable results. GT, with 18 points, need just one win to almost guarantee their top two position.

What are the top two chances for RCB, GT, PBKS, and MI?

• GT: 63.1%
• RCB: 55.3%
• BKS: 53.3%
• MI: 12.2%

Will Net Run Rate (NRR) play a big role in the IPL 2025 top two race?

Yes, NRR could be crucial in determining the top two finishers, especially for PBKS and RCB. These teams must improve their NRR to stay in contention if they end up with the same points as other teams.

What is the IPL 2025 top two race looking like now?

The top two race is heating up, with RCB, GT, PBKS, and MI all in the mix. GT and RCB are the front-runners, but PBKS and MI are still mathematically alive, though they need a series of favorable results to finish in the top two.