IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Knocked Out of Playoff Race After 100-Run Defeat to Mumbai Indians
In a night that spelled doom for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), their flickering hopes of reaching the IPL 2025 playoffs were extinguished following a brutal 100-run defeat to the unstoppable Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday. With this crushing loss, RR’s eighth in 11 matches, their campaign has hit rock bottom, leaving them with no mathematical chance of securing a spot in the coveted top four.
Mumbai Indians, under the dynamic leadership of Hardik Pandya, unleashed a batting masterclass, posting a mammoth 217/2 in their 20 overs. South African opener Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a blistering 61 off 39 balls, while Rohit Sharma complemented him with a classy 53. The middle order firepower came from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya himself, both scoring explosive 48s, ensuring MI set a daunting target.
The second innings turned into a nightmare for RR as Mumbai’s bowling attack dismantled their batting lineup with surgical precision. Trent Boult and Karn Sharma were the wreckers-in-chief, claiming three wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah continued his lethal form with two scalps. Hardik Pandya and Deepak Chahar chipped in with a wicket each, wrapping up a dominant performance that saw RR bundled out for a paltry 117.
This emphatic victory propelled Mumbai Indians to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with 14 points from 11 matches, a remarkable turnaround for a team that stumbled in four of their first five games. Their staggering net run rate of +1.274 further cements their position as favorites. MI are now on a six-match winning streak, and with three games left, they need just one more win to confirm their playoff berth. A potential top-two finish and a maximum of 20 points are well within their grasp.
For Rajasthan Royals, the elimination was a bitter pill to swallow. With only three matches remaining, the maximum points they can achieve is 12, a tally already surpassed by three teams—Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians. Furthermore, the clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Delhi Capitals (DC), both currently on 12 points, guarantees that at least one of them will move past RR’s possible tally, sealing their fate.
RR are not alone in their early exit from the tournament. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a similar heartbreak just a day prior, crashing out after a defeat to Punjab Kings at their fortress, the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This marks Rajasthan as the second team to be knocked out during the group stage of IPL 2025.
As the IPL caravan moves forward, Mumbai Indians look poised to dominate the league phase. Their resurgence, fueled by a balanced squad and consistent performances, has made them the team to beat. For Rajasthan Royals, it’s back to the drawing board. Questions loom over their inconsistent batting and lack of depth in bowling. Can they salvage pride in their remaining fixtures, or will this season be a complete write-off? Only time will tell, but for now, the dream of lifting the IPL trophy remains a distant memory for the men in pink.