IPL '25: MI eye playoff berth, DC fight for survival at Wankhede

Mumbai aim to secure the sole remaining ticket to the knockout stage while Delhi face must-win situation

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

With three of the four IPL 2025 playoff spots already sealed by Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, the race to the final slot heats up as Mumbai Indians take on a desperate Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Faced with a must-win situation, the Capitals are currently in fifth with 13 points from 12 outings, and a win against Mumbai will take them to 15 points, keeping their hopes alive while a loss will eliminate them from the race.

On the other hand, the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai outfit are presently in fourth with 14 points from 12 matches, and a win will seal their berth in the top four. However, a loss against Delhi will leave the race open for both, and the fight for that final playoff spot goes into their final league games against PBKS.

If DC beat MI and then beat PBKS in Jaipur on 24 May, they will qualify for the playoffs with 17 points and knock out MI, who can reach a maximum of 16 points. But if DC beat MI to get to 15 points but lose to PBKS, then MI can qualify with 16 points and knock DC out if they beat PBKS in Jaipur on 26 May.