IPL 2025: DC's playoff qualification scenario after the defeat to KKR

Now past the halfway mark, every match in the ongoing IPL season is going to leave a significant impact on the qualification chances of the teams. The last few matches in IPL 2025 have gone ideally for the teams currently placed at the bottom of the points table. Rajasthan Royals, charged by a record-breaking century by the prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, claimed a commanding victory over Gujarat Titans. Most recently, Kolkata Knight Riders redeemed their campaign by beating the higher-placed Delhi Capitals at their home. With the fourth spot on the IPL 2025 points table currently wide open, DC's defeat has made the qualification scenarios interesting.

Delhi Capitals marked the most successful start to the IPL 2025 season among all the teams. The team, led by Axar Patel, ran to a four-match winning streak, the longest for any team in the edition. However, the team's fall came at home in Delhi, as Mumbai Indians beat them at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Their home ground in Delhi has not treated the Delhi Capitals favorably.

In the 10 matches played so far, DC have won 6 and endured 4 defeats. Out of the four losses, three have come on their home turf in Delhi. The DC vs KKR IPL 2025 match marked their latest defeat, second in a row for the team. Despite taking the game close against the defending champions, DC slipped by 14 runs as Kolkata Knight Riders picked crucial points to stay alive in the tournament.

DC vs KKR: Defending champions deliver a significant blow to the higher-ranked Capitals

Put to bat first, KKR put up a defendable total of 204 on the board despite losing 3 wickets in the last over against Mitchell Starc. The match was still alive with DC boasting a lineup consisting of Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul, and Tristan Stubbs. However, Sunil Narine, the interim captain in the chase as Ajinkya Rahane tended to a hand injury, turned the game on its head in his spell. Karun Nair and Abishek Porel departed without making any significant impact for the team before KL Rahul fell to an unfortunate run-out at the score of just 7.

However, Faf du Plessis stood firm as skipper Axar Patel launched into action. With a clear intent to pull the game in his favour despite losing three wickets, Patel didn't hesitate to play his shots. Even with an injury in his hand sustained while fielding, the DC captain fired 3 sixes and 4 fours. That's when the interim skipper took charge and reintroduced himself into the attack. Tides turned as Sunil Narine returned, dismissing the hard-hitting Axar Patel at 43 off 23. The spinner then bowled out Tristan Stubbs in the same over before the batsman had any chance to fight. Ensuring no chances of DC's revival, Narine removed the set batter, Faf du Plessis, just as the revival came in sight for KKR.

While Vipraj Nigam tried, the lack of Ashutosh Sharma, who departed at 7 off 6 against Varun Chakravarthy, left DC limping at the other end. Eventually, Andre Russell dismissed the all-rounder in the last over as the DC vs KKR match ended in favor of the defending champions. With the 2 points earned in Delhi, KKR have managed 9 points in 10 matches.

Where do DC and KKR stand in the IPL 2025 playoffs contention after the latest result?

With 4 matches left to play in the league stage for Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions stay alive in the IPL 2025 playoffs race. If the Ajinkya Rahane-led side can keep the momentum going and manage to win all their remaining matches, KKR can claim a maximum of 17 points. If the wins come with commanding margins, the Knights could be a threat to the top-ranked teams in the playoffs contention. Currently, KKR is placed seventh on the IPL 2025 points table, below DC, PBKS, and LSG, with an NRR of +0.27.

Thanks to their flying start to the season, Delhi Capitals are still one of the strongest contenders for a Top 4 finish despite their disappointing form at home. In 10 matches played so far, DC have lost 3 at home. The only defeat away from home came against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. With 6 wins in their account, DC sit at the fourth spot on the IPL 2025 points table.

The team needs to claim three wins in the last four matches to ensure their IPL 2025 playoffs qualification. However, the Capitals could strongly fight for the spot even if they fumble two games from here. If the time comes, DC currently have an NRR of +0.36, an improvement in which could bring them a clear edge over other teams competing with the same number of points.