Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2025 IPL campaign has all but come to a close after their penultimate home game ended in disappointment. Despite a spirited bowling effort that had Delhi Capitals on the ropes early, the heavens opened up just in time to deny SRH a potential comeback victory and end their faint hopes of a playoff berth. With only three wins from 11 matches and just 7 points on the table, SRH have now officially been eliminated from the top-four race.
The rain-marred result handed both teams a point each, a far more valuable outcome for the Capitals, who now have 13 points from 11 games and remain firmly in the playoff hunt with three fixtures remaining. The equation, however, is tight—and every remaining contest will carry weight not just for DC, but for several other mid-table contenders.
Points Table After Match 55
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0.482 |
| PBKS | 11 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 0.376 |
| MI | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1.274 |
| GT | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0.867 |
| DC | 11 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0.362 |
| KKR | 11 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0.249 |
| LSG | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -0.469 |
| SRH (E) | 11 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -1.192 |
| RR (E) | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.718 |
| CSK (E) | 11 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.117 |
DC’s Road to the Playoffs
With three matches left—vs PBKS (A), vs GT (H), vs MI (A)—Delhi Capitals can still finish on 19 points, which would almost certainly secure not just a playoff berth, but possibly a top-two finish. A clean sweep would see them leapfrog MI and potentially match or surpass GT and PBKS, depending on results elsewhere.
However, any slip-ups could drag them into a tangle of net run-rate scenarios. If DC win only one of their last three (ending on 15), their qualification will hinge on:
- The loser of MI vs GT staying at 14 or below
- MI defeating both GT and PBKS (who are also direct rivals)
- LSG and KKR each dropping at least one more game
Even at 17 points (two wins), net run rate (NRR) could be a deciding factor in a tie involving PBKS and KKR, especially if RCB and MI secure 18+ points.
LSG’s Path Narrows After SRH-DC Washout
Lucknow Super Giants, currently on 10 points with three games to go, now find themselves in must-win territory. A maximum of 16 points is possible, but that may not be enough unless multiple other results go in their favor—echoing the 2024 scenario where 14 and even 16 points proved inadequate due to a crowded mid-table and NRR dynamics.
Why MI vs GT Could Be the Decider
The upcoming clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans is shaping up to be the most influential fixture in the playoff race. Here’s how the implications stack up:
GT Remaining Fixtures:
- vs MI (Away)
- vs DC (Away)
- vs LSG (Home)
- vs CSK (Home)
MI Remaining Fixtures:
- vs GT (Home)
- vs PBKS (Away)
- vs DC (Home)
A win for either side on Tuesday gives them the pole position for a top-two finish. If GT win all four, they finish on 22 points, guaranteed a Qualifier 1 berth. Even 18 points should be enough, as their strong NRR and head-to-head edge would see them through, barring a surprise.
As for MI, their current NRR of +1.274 is the best in the league. If qualification comes down to net run rate, they’re in the driver’s seat. Two wins (18 points) will not only ensure playoffs but may also edge them into the top two—especially if PBKS, DC, or GT falter in their other games.
Final Word
The washout in Hyderabad may have sunk SRH’s dreams, but it has brought greater clarity—and urgency—to the rest of the IPL 2025 playoff race. For Delhi Capitals, every game from here is a virtual knockout. For LSG, there’s no more room for error. And for MI and GT, Tuesday’s face-off could well define the top-two standings.
With just days to go before the league stage wraps up, the playoff puzzle is still far from solved.
