After a nine-day hiatus, the 2025 IPL returns today with seven teams still in contention for playoff places. But the last act of the league stage features a twist: several overseas stars are going to be called away for international duty, which could influence team makeups at a crucial time. With the tournament approaching its denouement, 17 points just seems to be the magic number for qualification, and teams are doing mathematical calculations of every possible result in order to be viable. Teams such as RCB, GT, MI, PBKS, and DC are close to the playoffs.
Gujarat Titans are at the crest of the table and in a commanding position with just three matches remaining to be played. They require one victory to reach 18 points — a figure that would virtually assure a spot in the postseason. With so many home games to come against struggling outfits such as Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Chennai Super Kings, GT also has a shot at finishing in the top 2 and gaining the home advantage that comes with it.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are in a near-identical position. A win away from confirming a play-off berth and a favorable set of fixtures to follow, RCB are set to finish in the top two. However, squad depth may be tested if important players go away on national duty.
Punjab Kings, a team that does not travel with too many players around the world, is less shaken by the international call-ups. Only Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis should miss time, and probably would be good to go in the last games of the regular season. In order to qualify for the playoffs, PBKS must win two more games to book a berth in the playoffs, but one more could be enough. With the rest of the matches being held in Jaipur, they consider the encounter against the Rajasthan Royals as important.
Mumbai Indians have a harder task. The last two games, and they have to win both to retain control of destiny. Lesser than that will make them dependent.
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