As the IPL 2025 playoffs draw near, one thing is clear-- ending in the top two on the points table gives teams a serious edge in the title race.
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Not only does it offer a direct route to the final if the team win, but it also gives teams a safety net in case they have a bad day on the field. And if history is anything to go by, that top 2 finish often leads straight to the trophy.
How does the IPL playoff format give the top 2 teams an edge?
The playoff system is designed to reward consistency. The top four teams after the league stage qualify for the knockouts. But here’s the key difference:
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- 1st and 2nd place teams play Qualifier 1. The winner of that match goes directly to the final.
- The loser of Qualifier 1 is not knocked out- they get one more chance in Qualifier 2.
- Teams finishing 3rd and 4th face off in the Eliminator. The winner of that match moves to Qualifier 2, but the loser is eliminated right away.
This means teams finishing in the top two get two shots at reaching the final, while the others get just one.
What does history say about winning Qualifier 1?
If you look back at recent IPL seasons, the trend is hard to ignore. Since 2018, the team that has won Qualifier 1 has gone on to win the final every single time. Here's a look at how it played out:
| Year | Qualifier 1 Result | Final Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | CSK beat SRH by 2 wickets | CSK |
| 2019 | MI beat CSK by 6 wickets | MI |
| 2020 | MI beat DC by 57 runs | MI |
| 2021 | CSK beat DC by 4 wickets | CSK |
| 2022 | GT beat RR by 7 wickets | GT |
| 2023 | CSK beat GT by 15 runs | CSK |
| 2024 | KKR beat SRH by 8 wickets | KKR |
This shows why Qualifier 1 is such a golden ticket as it is not just a shortcut to the final, it often leads straight to the trophy.
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Which IPL 2025 teams are eyeing the top 2?
It is a tight race currently. GT are sitting at the top with 16 points, followed closely by RCB and PBKS, who are all within striking distance.
As the playoffs approach, all eyes are on that Qualifier 1 slot. And if the last seven years are anything to go by, that might just be the key to winning it all.
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