How can KKR qualify for the IPL 2025 qualifiers even after losing vs CSK in IPL 2025 – explained

Kolkata Knight Riders, the reigning champions, had a major blow in IPL 2025 while Chennai Super Kings beat them by two counters. The defeat, KKR’s sixth in 12 games, left them in sixth place with 11 points. This means that KKR will have to depend on a miracle in order to qualify for the IPL 2025 elimination series. First, KKR has two more games (VS Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and they must win both to reach 15 points.

Now, Gujarat Titans and RCB have 16 points each, so KKR cannot exceed them. In third place are the kings of Punjab (15 points, 11 games) and the Indians of Mumbai are in fourth place (14 points, 12 games). PBKS play Delhi Capitals, Mi and Rajasthan Royals afterwards. If they even win one of these games, KKR would not be able to exceed them. Since PBKS and Mi, two teams that are in direct the playoffs, one of them will be played out of the reach of KKR. The team led by Ajinkya Rahane should hope that one between the two teams is losing all their matches (preferably Mi because they have fewer matches).

It does not end, KKR then hopes that DC (13 points from 11 games) and the super giants from Lucknow (10 points of 11 games) do not exceed them.

Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two counters to send the champions in title practically the connection of the IPL qualifiers here on Wednesday.

CSK chased the lens of 180 with two balls to lose with Dewald Brevis Top-Score with 52 on only 25 bullets while Shivam Dube and Captain Ms Dhoni cut 45 and 17 not released respectively.

For KKR, Vaibhav Arora (3/48) was the most successful bowling player while Harshit Rana (2/43) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/18) took two counters each.

Earlier, KKR scored 179 for 6 after choosing to beat.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane was scored with 48 while André Russell and Manish Pandey cut with 38 and 36 not respectively.

For CSK, Noor Ahmad was the most successful bowling player with four counters.

In short, scores: KKR: 179 for 6 out of 20 Overs (Ajinkya Rahane 48, Andre Russell 38; Noor Ahmad 4/31).

With PTI entries