The Mumbai Indians (MI), led by Hardik Pandya, have once again demonstrated why they are among the most reliable and dominant teams in Indian Premier League history. The five-time winners clinched the last IPL 2025 playoff position on May 21 at the Wankhede Stadium with a decisive 59-run victory over the Delhi Capitals (DC). To go past the finish line in a theoretical knockout match, MI gave their best overall effort.
Now that MI has formally advanced to the knockout stage, its primary attention is on the remote possibility of placing in the top two. Instead of the Eliminator’s do-or-die opportunity, they would play Qualifier 1 at the end, giving them another chance to advance to the final.
Current standings in IPL 2025 points table
With 16 points from 13 games, the Mumbai-based team is now ranked fourth in the standings. On May 26, they play the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Jaipur in their last league game. They would reach their maximum possible score of 18 points with a victory in that match. Still, a top-two finish is not assured even if they do a good job.
With two games left and all three teams sitting above MI, the Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings have the edge. With 17 points apiece, RCB and PBKS are not far behind GT, which currently has 18 points. MI will be hoping for a few favourable outcomes to place them in the top two.
How can Mumbai Indians finish in top two?
For MI to reach the top two, two of the three teams (GT, RCB, and PBKS) must lose both their remaining matches. Apart from the given scenarios, MI not only need to win but also rely on the net run rate (NRR), which hopefully works in their favour (+1.292).
Scenario 1: RCB and PBKS lose both matches
If both RCB and PBKS lose their final two games, and MI beats Punjab in their last match, MI will finish with 18 points. This would push MI into second place behind GT (22 points), giving them a top-two finish.
Scenario 2: GT and RCB lose both matches
If GT and RCB lose their remaining games while Mumbai beats PBKS, MI will finish with 18 points. In this case, PBKS top the table with 19 points, MI move up to second, and GT, despite holding the pole position earlier, will fall to third, giving MI the top-two advantage.
Scenario 3: GT and PBKS lose both matches
Lastly, if GT and PBKS lose both their remaining games and MI beat PBKS, RCB will top the table with 21 points. MI will again end with 18 points, which could place them second, ahead of GT and PBKS, either on points or Net Run Rate.
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