The IPL 2025 season of the Indian Premier League has provided exciting games for cricket fans since its start. This is the 18th edition of the tournament, which began on March 22. Ten teams are participating in this season, and a total of 74 matches will be played, with the final scheduled for May 25 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first match at their home ground, Eden Gardens. RCB started their title pursuit with a perfect start, securing a massive seven-wicket win.
IPL 2025 has shocked audiences with many unexpected events. For example, despite winning their first match of the season against Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) couldn’t maintain strong performances. Once at the top of the points table, they have mostly remained at the bottom this season.
1. Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings became the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. The team, led by MS Dhoni, was knocked out of the playoffs race after losing their must-win match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The match took place in the 49th game, against the team led by Shreyas Iyer, at Chennai’s home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chennai was bowled out for 190 runs in the first innings, thanks to Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick. Sam Curran played a brilliant knock of 88 runs for the team.
Later, the home team failed to defend the target. Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh scored half-centuries, leading the visitors to a four-wicket victory.
They had only won two of their first 10 matches and had gathered 4 points. Even if they won all their remaining matches, they would have had a maximum of 12 points, which wouldn’t be enough to qualify for the playoffs.
2. Rajasthan Royals
After Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals became the second team to be eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. They were knocked out after losing their home game against Mumbai Indians. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, they allowed MI to score 217/2 in match number 50. Later, they were bowled out for 117 runs and lost the match by 100 runs.
In the first 11 matches of the season, they won only 3 games and accumulated 6 points. They still have three matches left, and even if they win all three, they would have a maximum of 12 points, which will not be enough to make it to the playoffs.
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad
After the runners-up of the 2024 IPL, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) became the third team to be eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. They were knocked out after their match against Delhi Capitals, which was abandoned due to rain at their home ground. Before the match, they needed a win. However, since the match was abandoned due to rain, SRH earned one point.
