KKR Qualification Scenarios: Ajinkya Rahane & Co. all but out of race for IPL 2025 Playoffs spot

KKR are placed seventh on the IPL 2025 points table at the moment, but they yet to play 7 matches.

Reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), are in a spot of bother. After failing to chase 112 runs against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), there is a massive chance that KKR are already out of the IPL 2025 Playoffs race.

The reshuffling of teams hasn’t really helped the three-time champions. They did their best at the auction table and assembled a squad that was worthy of achieving success. But unfortunately, KKR haven’t been able to deliver.

IPL 2025 performance so far

As of April 22, KKR have a 3-5 record and are placed seventh on the points table. They aren’t in the best of positions, but to determine whether they can still make the final four, one must analyse their performance so far.

Wins: RR (8th), SRH (ranked 9th), CSK (ranked 10th)

Losses: RCB (3rd), MI (ranked 6th), LSG (5th), PBKS (ranked 4th), GT (1st)

One look at their results will tell you that KKR has beaten poor teams and lost to the good wins. Their wins are over Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). These teams are currently the three worst sides in the IPL 2025. The losses are against all the teams better than them.

IPL 2025 Playoffs: KKR Qualification Scenarios

16 points is usually what guarantees your IPL 2025 Playoffs qualification. And KKR would aim for that. Last year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) did qualify with 14 points, but in 2022 and 2023, 16 points was the cutoff for the final four. This suggests KKR needs to win 5 of their remaining 6 matches.

Things are expected to get very difficult for KKR. Their next two matches are against PBKS and Delhi Capitals (DC). These are two of the four best teams in the tournament. But there is a silver lining.

If KKR manages to beat one or two of them, they might have a chance to qualify for the IPL 2025 Playoffs. KKR’s last four matches are against RR, CSK, SRH and RCB. Mind you, the first three teams are those that they have beaten so far. They’ll enter these matches with confidence.

This means that realistically, even if they beat even one of PBKS, or DC, they can still make the final four. Yes, they might have to five four on the trot, but it’s not something that KKR haven’t done before. They did that just last year and many of the players they have know what is needed to win an IPL trophy.

IPL 2025 – Points Table