A New Champion on the Horizon as RCB, PBKS, MI & GT Lock Horns
NEW DELHI: The IPL 2025 playoff race has finally reached its boiling point, and the battle lines are drawn. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulling off a sensational 228-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants, the top four teams and matchups for the playoffs are now confirmed. And there’s one burning question on every fan’s mind: Are we about to witness a brand-new IPL champion this year?
RCB’s Epic Win Changes the Equation
RCB’s electrifying win didn’t just send them soaring into the top two — it also reshuffled the playoff deck. By finishing second on the table, RCB will now face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 on May 29 at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) dropped to third and will face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator on May 30 at the same venue.
🏏 IPL 2025 Playoff Schedule
- Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — May 29 (Thursday), New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur
- Eliminator: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians — May 30 (Friday), New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur
- Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator — June 1 (Sunday), Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 — June 3 (Tuesday), Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
History in the Making?
With MI and GT — both past champions — clashing in the Eliminator, only one will move forward to Qualifier 2. If that team then fails to reach the final, it sets up a historic showdown between RCB and PBKS, two teams who have never lifted the IPL trophy.
Both sides have been long-standing fan favorites, often making the playoffs but falling short at the final hurdle. Now, with renewed form and hunger, either could finally end their trophy drought.
A New Era Dawns?
Should RCB or PBKS go on to lift the trophy, IPL 2025 will mark the rise of a new champion after years of dominance by repeat winners like MI and GT. It would be a fresh chapter in the league’s history — and a long-awaited reward for two of the most passionate fanbases in the IPL.
🏆 Will This Be the Year?
The possibility of an RCB vs PBKS final has cricket fans buzzing. One thing is certain — IPL 2025 promises fireworks, heartbreaks, and perhaps, a brand-new name on the trophy.
