One spot, three contenders: IPL 2025 play-off race goes down to the wire in

Dubai: The play-off door is closing — and three teams are jostling to squeeze through.

With Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirming their places on Sunday, only one vacancy remains in the Indian Premier League 2025 play-offs. Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians are still in contention — but one team seems to be pulling ahead just in time.

The day’s biggest statement came from Gujarat, who romped to a 10-wicket win over Delhi in the evening match. Earlier, Punjab survived a late charge from Rajasthan Royals to clinch a 10-run victory in Jaipur — ensuring both they and RCB joined Gujarat in the knockouts.

That leaves the table delicately poised heading into the final round of fixtures. Delhi sits on 12 points, while Mumbai have 14 from 12 games. Lucknow, who host Sunrisers Hyderabad today in a must-win contest — defeat will knock them out.

A Lucknow victory will throw the race wide open again, potentially turning Wednesday’s Mumbai vs Delhi clash into a virtual knockout. But if Lucknow stumble, Mumbai could well be one win away from locking it in.

For Delhi, it’s a matter of regrouping quickly after Sunday’s drubbing, while Mumbai — known for their late-tournament surges — must be watching it all unfold with quiet confidence.

Gujarat’s dominance in Delhi was as ruthless as it was clinical. Chasing 200 at the Feroz Shah Kotla, skipper Shubman Gill (94*) and impact substitute Sai Sudharsan (106 not out) made the pitch look like a runway, cruising home with an over to spare.

It was Sudharsan’s second century of the season, taking him to the top of the Orange Cap standings, just ahead of Gill. “When I’m batting, I want to think as a batsman, not a captain,” said the 25-year-old Gill, who also praised his team’s consistency. “Last year was a learning experience.”

The Titans are now set to finish top of the table for the third time in four seasons — testament to Gill’s maturity and leadership following Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai earlier last year.

In the day’s first game in Jaipur, Punjab Kings rode a 37-ball 70 from Nehal Wadhera and a late blitz from Shashank Singh (59 not out) and Omarzai (21 not out off 9) to post 219-5.

Omarzai then returned with two key wickets, while impact sub Harpreet Brar (3-22) and South African quick Marco Jansen — who defended 22 runs in the final over — helped Punjab restrict Rajasthan to 209-7.

The result not only kept Punjab’s campaign on track but also had ripple effects across the table, confirming RCB’s qualification and making the final week’s fixtures must-watch events.

As the dust settles on a defining Sunday, the playoff race is boiling down to one unclaimed ticket — and three teams desperate to grab it. Lucknow must win to stay alive, Delhi need to bounce back, and Mumbai?

They’ve done this dance before — and they may be doing it better than anyone else once again.

The final chapter of IPL 2025’s league stage is about to be written. And the twist might just come in the last act.