Mumbai Indians sealed their spot in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs after thrashing Delhi Capitals (DC) in a virtual quarter-final on Wednesday (May 21) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This means that the race to the playoffs is now over. Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS) have already qualified.

This marks a rare instance in IPL history of the four teams that will play the second round being decided with seven matches left in the league. However, this does not make the next five days boring for fans as the four teams are in an intense battle to seal the elusive top two spot.

The four teams are separated by just two points as GT have 18 points on the board while both RCB and PBKS have 17 so far. All three teams have played 12 games, while MI have 16 points in 13 games.

Having played one match more than their rivals and having fewer points, MI do not have their destiny in their own hands. The five-time champions can only finish first or second if they win their final game against PBKS on Monday (May 26) in Jaipur, and at least two of the three teams above them both their games.

Before playing MI, PBKS will host DC on Saturday (May 24). RCB are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on May 23 and 27, respectively. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans (GT) will host LSG and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 22 and May 25.

Since the playoff system was introduced in 2011, the trophy has been won by a team finishing in the top two in 13 of the 14 seasons, with Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) win in 2016 being the only exception.