The last four standing will feature in the IPL playoffs round after surviving a grueling league stage that lasted no less than two months. Punjab Kings secured a top-two finish, but who else will accompany them in the business end of the season? Here are our IPL 18 betting tips for the playoffs.
After a brief pause due to regional tensions, the IPL 18 is back in full force. The first qualifier is set for May 29, followed by the second qualifier and the eliminator over the next two days. Four battle-tested teams from the group stage will clash for the coveted IPL 18 title. Let’s have a look at the key details before we roll out our 2025 IPL knockouts predictions.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2025 TATA Indian Premier League Season 18 Playoffs (T20 cricket) |
| 🏏 Venues: | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh, and Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India |
| 🗓️ Dates: | Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1, 2025 |
The Indian Premier League used to have a round robin format in its group stages, but the tournament introduced a new format in 2023. Organizers reverted to the round-robin system last year, but have switched back to the group format again this season.
10 teams were split into two groups of five, with every team contesting 14 league matches. They took on the other four teams in their group and one selected team from the opposite group in home-and-away fixtures, while facing the other four teams from the other group just once.
Teams earned two points for a win and one point for matches abandoned without a result. Tied games were settled via a Super Over. The top four sides from the group stage have made it to the playoffs. The top two will battle in Qualifier 1 for a direct route to the final at Eden Gardens on June 3. The losing side won’t bow out just yet, as they’ll get a lifeline in the eliminator game.
The third- and fourth-placed teams will meet in Qualifier 2. There is no second chance for the loser of this game, so the stakes are higher than in the first qualifier. The winner doesn’t qualify for the final right away. They only get the chance to play the Qualifier 1 loser in the eliminator game. The winner of the eliminator makes it to the final.
The 2025 Indian Premier League playoffs lineup features two teams that have never won the title before. Gujarat will be seeking its second title, while Mumbai will look to surpass Chennai and become the most successful franchise in the tournament’s history with six titles.
Cricket sites for betting online have updated the 2025 IPL playoffs odds as the regular season comes to a close. Let’s see how the sportsbooks are evaluating the remaining teams.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were in incredible form heading into the break. After winning four matches in a row, their momentum has somewhat stalled heading into the playoffs. But the return of their leading wicket-taker taker Josh Hazelwood, should boost their chances.
Punjab have ended an 11-year wait for a return to the playoffs, and now that they’re here, the Kings will believe they can go all the way. They have remarkably short cricket IPL-18 winner odds, and based on what we have seen from them so far, Punjab have an excellent chance to win the IPL for the first time.
Old and new betting sites in India are considering the Mumbai Indians as one of the top contenders to take the title home once again. Hardik Pandya did a remarkable job in steadying the ship after a disastrous season. Now that the Indians are back in the playoffs, they are a great option to bet on IPL 2025 online.
Much like RCB, the Gujarat Titans lost some steam towards the end of the regular season. Still, they did enough to secure a playoff spot. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill have led the charge with the bat, and the Orange Cap hopefuls will be vital to their title push.
Alright, now that you’re up to speed on all things IPL, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are our 2025 IPL knockouts predictions and betting tips:
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The Punjab Kings have had a remarkable season under Ricky Ponting. They were the first to seal a top-two spot, so they will get two chances to get to the title decider in Kolkata next month. The former Aussie captain was keen to bring in Shreyas Iyer, a player he previously coached at Delhi Capitals, and the move has turned out to be a masterstroke.
Iyer finished the regular season as the team’s top scorer with 514 runs in 14 matches. He had to give up his preferred number three position to Josh Inglis, but still managed to have a prolific season. Leading from the front as the team’s captain, Iyer’s form has lifted the entire squad and anchored their strong campaign.
Arshdeep Singh has been the best Punjab Kings bowler by far. The left-arm pacer has been superb during death overs and claimed 18 wickets. He even bowled a maiden over against the Kolkata Knight Riders, who are the current champions, during the group stages. If Singh can maintain his form through the final stretch, it could provide Punjab with a crucial edge in the title race.
Overall, Punjab have all they need to win the trophy. They have a roster full of T20 specialists and a seasoned coach who has reunited with several trusted players. Their captain, Shreyas Iyer, also knows how to go the distance, having guided KKR to IPL glory last year.
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Looking ahead to the first true knockout match, we’re predicting a comeback by Gujarat. The Titans have lost their last two matches and are heavy underdogs by T20 standards heading into their clash against Mumbai.
However, the Titans are too good an outfit to lose three in a row, we say. They played clutch finals cricket last time they made the playoffs, and as they showed against Delhi 10 days ago, when their openers click, it’s all over. With juicy odds of 2.50 (3/2), take Gujarat to cause an upset.
You’ve seen our 2025 IPL playoff predictions; now it’s your turn. Markets close soon, so if you haven’t already, get your bets in before the knockout cricket begins on Thursday.
