RCB had a disappointing defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 on Friday, which has deflated their aspirations to end up in the top-2.
How can RCB finish in top-2 in IPL 2025 table after loss to SRH? All scenarios explained
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were thrashed by 42 runs at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday in Lucknow, a defeat that has tightened up the playoff fight big time going into the final stretch of IPL 2025’s league stage. The match, which was originally scheduled to be held at Bengaluru, had been shifted to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium due to logistical considerations, but the venue change did not significantly change the luck of RCB.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Virat Kohli (R) speaks with his team-mate Phil Salt during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad(AFP).
This was RCB’s fourth defeat of the season, and with just one league game left, they are now clinging to third place on the points table with 17 points from 13 games. They are level on points with Punjab Kings, but behind Shreyas Iyer’s side on net run rate.
The mathematics are simple but the jitters become crippling for Rajat Patidar’s team. If RCB beat Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 and other results go in their favor – particularly losses to Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings in their remaining couple of games – they can even end atop the table yet. A second place is even possible if RCB triumph and either GT or PBKS secure a victory in their remaining games.
What if RCB are beaten by LSG?
But the permutations become disadvantageous if RCB are defeated by LSG. A loss in Lucknow would leave them at fourth place, assuming both PBKS and GT win their last matches. In case GT beat CSK on May 25 and PBKS beat both DC (May 24) and MI (May 26) in their last matches, RCB’s loss would push them below the top two and onto a longer path to the final.
How can RCB finish in top-2 in IPL 2025 table after loss to SRH? All scenarios explained
Finishing in positions one and two guarantees Qualifier 1 spot on May 29 in Mullanpur, with two chances to reach the final. Finishing third or fourth, however, entails entering the first qualifier via the Eliminator on May 30, again in Mullanpur, with the victor then facing the Qualifier 1 loser in Ahmedabad on June 1.
After a commanding beginning of the season, RCB are now at a stage where their destiny for top-2 no longer lies in their own hands. By Tuesday, Patidar’s team will have nothing to lose and all to gain.