IPL Playoffs 2025: Who will face Mumbai Indians in Eliminator?

Mumbai Indians suffered a seven-wicket defeat to the Punjab Kings in Match No. 69 of the IPL 2025 on Monday at Jaipur’s famous Sawai Man Singh Stadium. This loss cost MI a top-two finish and guaranteed their place in the IPL 2025 Eliminator.

Punjab’s 185-run chase was anchored by half-centuries from Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis, who completed it with nine balls remaining. The two combined for 109 runs, denting MI’s prospects of securing a Qualifier 1 position. As a result, MI finished the league stage campaign with 16 points from 14 matches and is currently in fourth place. The main question today is: Who will face the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator?

With the Hardik Pandya-led team officially confirmed for the Eliminator, they will have to wait for the outcome of the season’s last league game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), which is slated for Tuesday, May 27.

Which team will face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator?

Scenario 1: RCB defeat LSG

If Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Lucknow Super Giants, RCB will jump to 19 points, surpassing Gujarat Titans, who are currently second with 18 points. If RCB manages to win big over LSG, they also have a shot at finishing in the pole position with a superior net run-rate (NRR).

If this happens, RCB will face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, May 29, at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator, scheduled for Friday, May 30 in Mullanpur.

Scenario 2: RCB lose to LSG

If Lucknow Super Giants manage to spoil the party and defeat RCB, Gujarat Titans remain second and will play Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. This will lead to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru finishing fourth and facing the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.

Why top-two finish is important?

The Eliminator game provides no second chances like those for the teams playing in Qualifier 1. The winner stays in the race for the IPL 2025 title, while the loser is knocked out. The winner from this match will move on to face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2.