IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders Eliminated from Playoff Race

Last season IPL Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the championship title. In the current tournament, the team has resigned from the title. It has one last group stage match left to play and there is no way it can make the playoffs.

What Happened 

On Saturday, May 17, KKR played an away game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). It was the first match of the 18th IPL season after its resumption. It may be recalled that the tournament was stopped on May 9 due to security concerns related to the conflict between India and Pakistan. The match was very important for both the teams, but in the end it was not held due to heavy rain.

The rain was pouring down in rivers even before the match started. The umpires checked several times whether the weather conditions would be suitable for the game but finally had to state that it was not possible. Thus, RCB and KKR got one point each. The first allowed them to lead the standings, while the second have 12 points after 13 games, and will not get into the top 4, even if they beat CSK in their last match of the group stage.

RCB Outlook 

The current IPL season is going well for RCB. The team has 8 wins in 12 matches and 17 points. With two games left to play (against CSK and LSG), the Royal Challengers need to win only once to secure a playoff spot.

What’s in Store for KKR 

The Knight Riders, on the other hand, became the fourth IPL franchise to lose their playoff chances this season. Earlier they were CSK, SRH, and RR. For the former champions, the tournament was a disappointing one not only because of the final result. They showed unstable play, and only once managed to win twice in a row. KKR, alternating between good and bad matches, failed to impose the struggle on the leaders and now have to tune in to the fact that the next IPL season will be better for them.