After a tense pause due to the recent India-Pakistan border tensions, the Indian Premier League 2025 is back on track. Cricket fans can finally rejoice as the tournament resumes on Saturday, May 17, with a blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders. With the league entering its final stretch, stakes are higher than ever, and every match from here on could shape the playoff picture.

A total of 17 matches remain in the league stage, including the previously postponed Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals encounter. The revised schedule will run until May 27 and includes two double-header days—May 18 and May 25—before the playoffs kick off. Qualifier 1 is set for May 29, followed by the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1, and the final showdown on June 3.

While the venues for the playoff matches are yet to be finalised, the road to the trophy is now clearly laid out. Due to logistical challenges, fixtures have been reshuffled across six neutral venues, depriving several teams of their home advantage—a factor that could prove decisive in tight matches.

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As it stands, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the table with 16 points each and are well-positioned to secure a spot in the playoffs. But with seven teams still vying for the remaining spots, the competition is set for an intense finish.

1. Gujarat Titans – 16 points (NRR +0.793)

Best finish: 22 points
Minimum needed to qualify: 1 win (18 points)
Top two finish: Win all three matches

GT are in pole position. With three games left, just one more win ensures qualification. Their fixtures—against DC, LSG, and CSK—are favourable, giving them a realistic shot at finishing in the top two.

Next Matches:

• vs DC (May 18)
• vs LSG (May 22)
• vs CSK (May 25)

2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 16 points (NRR +0.482)

Best finish: 22 points
Minimum needed to qualify: 1 win
Top two finish: Win all remaining matches

RCB are finally peaking at the right time. A win against KKR on Saturday could seal their playoff berth. With SRH and LSG to follow, they’ll fancy their chances to finish top two, especially if NRR swings in their favour.

Next Matches:

• vs KKR (May 17)
• vs SRH (May 23)
• vs LSG (May 27)

3. Punjab Kings – 15 points (NRR +0.376)

Best finish: 21 points
Minimum needed to qualify: 2 wins
Top two finish: Win all three and hope GT or RCB slip

PBKS are perhaps the most exciting story of IPL 2025. With their entire remaining campaign now shifted to Jaipur, they must make the most of the unfamiliar conditions. The clash against Rajasthan Royals on May 18 could be crucial to break their 11-year playoff jinx.

Next Matches:

• vs RR (May 18)
• vs DC (May 24)
• vs MI (May 26)

4. Mumbai Indians – 14 points (NRR +1.156)

Best finish: 18 points
Must-win scenario: Both remaining games

MI have the best net run rate in the league and that could be their saving grace. However, with only two matches left, they must win both to be in control of their fate. Anything less and they’ll rely heavily on how DC and PBKS perform.

Next Matches:

• vs DC (May 21)
• vs PBKS (May 26)

5. Delhi Capitals – 13 points (NRR +0.362)

Best finish: 19 points
Minimum needed to qualify: 2 wins
Top two finish: Win all and hope others falter

DC face a daunting run-in against GT, MI, and PBKS. The direct clashes give them an edge in leapfrogging competition, but they’ll need to be near perfect and ensure their NRR holds up.

Next Matches:

• vs GT (May 18)
• vs MI (May 21)
• vs PBKS (May 24)

6. Kolkata Knight Riders – 11 points (NRR +0.193)

Best finish: 15 points
Qualification hopes: Win both and hope for a miracle

KKR are mathematically alive but hanging by a thread. Wins in both games would get them to 15 points, but they’ll then need several results to go their way, plus a big push in net run rate. Facing RCB next will be make-or-break.

Next Matches:

• vs RCB (May 17)
• vs SRH (May 25)

7. Lucknow Super Giants – 10 points (NRR -0.469)

Best finish: 16 points
Qualification hopes: Must win all three matches

LSG are the biggest long shot. A poor net run rate and a tough draw ahead mean they need to win out and then hope for chaos elsewhere—ideally a scenario where three or more teams end on 16 points and NRR becomes the decider. It’s a steep climb, but stranger things have happened.

Next Matches:

• vs SRH (May 19)
• vs GT (May 22)
• vs RCB (May 27)

With the table tightly packed and margins razor-thin, every ball, boundary, and breakthrough will carry significant weight in the coming days. The IPL 2025 league phase now enters its most thrilling chapter, and fans can expect high-octane cricket, heartbreaks, upsets, and perhaps a few fairytale finishes. The road to June 3 begins now—and it’s anyone’s game.