Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been one of the best teams in the IPL 2025. They have balanced batting and bowling line-ups with individuals who can win matches from nearly impossible situations. Despite missing some of their key players like Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood in some of their matches, RCB have displayed great bench strength to qualify for the playoffs.
The three-time runners-up do have what it takes to win the title for the first time in their IPL history. However, given their recent past, where they have fumbled in qualifying for the Qualifier 1 in almost every season from 2020 to 2024, barring the 2023 season, RCB have failed to get past the Qualifier 2.
Hence, the Rajat Patidar-led side would love to qualify for Qualifier 1, which would provide them two shots at qualifying for the final. It is also about gaining momentum at the right time, just before the start of the big matches, which could make them favourites to beat other equally strong teams at this point in the tournament, like the Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings.
IPL 2025 Points Table for Top 4 Teams
| Position | Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net run-rate (NRR) |
| 1 | GT | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 18 | +0.254 |
| 2 | PBKS | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 17 | +0.327 |
| 3 | RCB | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 17 | +0.255 |
| 4 | MI | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | +1.292 |
*as of May 25.
Gujarat Titans have completed all their 14 scheduled matches and have 9 wins and 5 losses to their name with a net run rate of +0.254, the least for a team in the Top 4. All of PBKS, RCB, and MI have 8 wins each and a match left to be played. PBKS and MI will compete directly for a spot in Qualifier 1, as their match in Jaipur will act as a direct qualification round for the top 2 spots.
Scenarios for RCB’s top-two finish in league stage
Scenario 1 – Wait for result of MI vs PBKS fixture
If MI win the match, they end with a total of 18 points with a definitely better net run rate than the Titans, which will confirm them playing in Qualifier 1. Likewise, if PBKS beat MI, the Shreyas Iyer-led side will end with 19 points, the joint-most possible scenario for a team, along with RCB. Hence, the winning team between PBKS and MI will surely qualify for Qualifier 1.
Scenario 2 – No-Result in MI-PBKS clash
In case an unlikely rain interference leads to the match between MI and PBKS ending without a result, both teams will gain a point each, which would mean PBKS topping the table due to a better net run rate than GT, which will confirm their qualification for Qualifier 1.
Scenario 3 – Win against LSG
Irrespective of all these scenarios, RCB has a simple method to qualify for Qualifier 1. Their match against LSG in Lucknow will mark the end of the League stage of the IPL 2025. All RCB needs to do is to win it, by any sort of margin, to finish the points table in the top 2. RCB has the fate in their own hands and must make the most of it.
