How can KKR qualify for IPL 2025 playoffs even after losing VS CSK in IPL 2025 – explained

Kolkata Knight Riders, Defending Champions, were given a major blow in IPL 2025 as Chennai Super Kings defeated him by two wickets. KKR’s sixth disadvantage in 12 matches left him in sixth position with 11 points. This means that KKR will have to depend on a miracle to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. First, KKR has two matches left (vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore) and both have to win to reach 15 points.

Now, Gujarat Titans and RCB have each 16 points, so KKR cannot cross them. In third place, Punjab Kings (15 points, 11 matches) and Mumbai Indians are at fourth place (14 points, 12 matches). Pbks play the next Delhi Capital, Mi and Rajasthan Royals. If they win one of those matches, KKR will not be able to cross them. Since, PBK and Mi, two teams who are in direct dispute for the playoffs, are playing each other, one of them will be out of the reach of KKR. Ajinkya Rahane -led side should expect one of the two teams lose all their matches (preferably Mi because they have less sports number).

This does not end, KKR will then hope that DC (13 points from 11 games) and Lucknow Super Giants (10 points from 11 games) will not cross them.

Chennai’s Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets to send defending champions out of the IPL play-offs controversy here on Wednesday.

CSK chased a target of 180 with two balls and top-scoring with 52 balls with a top-scoring with Developed Brevis, while Shivam Dubey and Captain MS Dhoni did not get out with 45 and 17 respectively.

For KKR, Vaibhav Arora (3/48) was the most successful bowler, while Harshit Rana (2/43) and Varun Chakarwarthi (2/18) took two wickets.

Earlier, KKR scored 179 runs for 6 after batting.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane scored the top with 48, while Andre Russell and Manish Pandey participated out with 38 and 36 respectively.

For CSK, Noor Ahmed was the most successful bowler with four wickets.

Brief Score: KKR: 6 out of 179 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 48, Andre Russell 38; Noor Ahmed 4/31).

With PTI input