IPL 2025 playoffs race: CSK, MI and SRH locked in a make-or-break situation

The last few nights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 have seen a welcome change. All three bottom-placed teams — Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — managed to win their matches. 

Mumbai Indians' win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday (April 13) lifted them to seventh place in the points table. SRH ended their four-game losing streak on Saturday (April 12), while CSK halted their five-game skid on Monday (April 14) with a relatively comfortable win over LSG, thanks to their bowlers and MS Dhoni's all-round brilliance.

Tri-series comprising MI, SRH and CSK

The nature of the points table and the upcoming fixtures has led to an unlikely tri-series involving CSK, MI, and SRH. One user on X (formerly Twitter) made a tongue-in-cheek comment, referring to it as an “eliminator round”.

MI will host ninth-placed SRH tomorrow (April 17) and bottom-placed CSK on Sunday (April 20). If they win both matches — and results in other games go their way — MI could climb as high as fourth in the points table by Sunday night.

Upcoming matches involving MI, SRH and CSK

Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, April 17 in Mumbai

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, April 20 in Mumbai

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, April 23 in Hyderabad

Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, April 25 in Chennai

Impact on other teams

The rest of the teams would ideally hope for a mixed bag of results — with MI, SRH, and CSK winning some and losing some — to avoid any dramatic shifts in the points table.

IPL 2025 playoff scenario: What's the magic number?

Historically, any team which got 16 points in a 10-team IPL season reached the playoffs. CSK have to win six of their remaining seven games to reach 16 points. MI and SRH need to win six of their remaining eight games. 

It's an all-or-nothing situation for the two most successful teams - MI and CSK - and the runners-up of the 2024 season, SRH.

Stay updated on all the action from the IPL 2025. Check the IPL 2025 Schedule, track the latest IPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.