IPL 2025: A toss-up between Mumbai and Delhi for the last play-off spot

The jigsaw pieces are falling into place for the IPL play-offs with three teams — the Gujarat Titans, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Punjab Kings — already making the cut, and one more spot to be filled up.

The battle for that last spot is now between five-time champions the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals, after the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowed out with a humiliating loss on Monday.

This is what lends a great deal of anticipation to the Mumbai–Delhi clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, 21 May — not to speak of the fact that it will be Rohit Sharma’s first game in his own backyard since his retirement from Tests, at a venue with a stand named after him. The emotional quotient will be high, though the five-time champions will surely be smart enough not to lose focus — after all, they need to win both their remaining games, against Delhi and against the Punjab Kings (26 May), respectively.  

Currently fourth, with 14 points from 12 matches and a good net run rate (NRR) of +1.156, Mumbai are in a favourable position in their pursuit to end their trophyless run since 2020. Wins in both the remaining matches will elevate them to 18 points, ensuring a play-off berth and, potentially, a top-two finish.

A single loss, however, could complicate their path — especially if it comes against the Delhi Capitals, who are direct competitors for the play-off spot. In such a scenario, Mumbai will need to rely on their superior NRR and favourable outcomes in other matches to secure the qualification.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have added a generous dose of experience and class with their three replacements on Tuesday, 20 May, with Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka and Richard Gleeson taking the places of Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch and Ryan Rickelton, respectively — all three are leaving for national duty.

Bairstow, 35, the seasoned England opener who formed an awesome combination with David Warner for the Sunrisers Hyderabad not so long ago, had gone unsold in the mega auction — but can still form a potentially explosive combination with Rohit Sharma higher up the order, now at the business end of the tournament.

Asalanka, the current white ball captain for Sri Lanka, has 134 international caps to his name, while Gleeson has featured in six T20Is for England.

As for the Delhi Capitals, now fifth with 13 points from 12 matches and an NRR of +0.260, they are in a 'must win' situation for their upcoming games against the Mumbai Indians and the Punjab Kings.

Victories against both would take them to 17 points, solidifying their play-off position. However, a loss in either match would leave their fate dependent on other results and NRR comparisons.

The match against the Mumbai Indians is particularly significant, as a win would not only boost Delhi’s points tally but also scupper Mumbai’s progress. 

Final in Ahmedabad?

Meanwhile, the IPL governing council is scheduled to meet today to decide on the venues of the first qualifier and eliminator (29 and 30 May) and second qualifier and final (1 and 3 June), respectively. Hyderabad and Kolkata were in line to play host for the first two qualifiers and for qualifier 2 and the final, respectively, but a reshuffle is now on the cards.

Ahmedabad, which has been the preferred choice of the powers that be at the BCCI for all finals ever since its makeover, has emerged as the likely host of the final.