The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) has been a rollercoaster for the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). As the league stage nears its climax, KKR finds itself in a precarious position, fighting to secure a spot in the playoffs.
With only a handful of matches remaining, every game is a must-win for the Knight Riders so they do not rely on the results of other sides.
The team, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency, making their playoff qualification a challenging task.
This article delves into KKR’s performance so far, their qualification chances, and what they need to do to make it to the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Performance in IPL 2025 Thus Far
Kolkata Knight Riders entered IPL 2025 as defending champions, having clinched their third title in 2024. However, the 2025 season has been far from smooth. After 10 matches, KKR has secured only four wins, with five losses and a no-result due to a rain-affected game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). This leaves them with nine points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.271, placing them seventh on the IPL 2025 points table.
KKR started off their season with a loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). They won their first match this year versus Rajasthan Royals (RR). Their other victories have come against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Chennai Super Kings (SRH), and Delhi Capitals (DC).
Apart from RCB, KKR faced defeats at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings.
Qualification Scenarios for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025
Historically, 16 points (8 wins from 14 matches) have been sufficient to secure a playoff spot in the IPL, though teams have qualified with as few as 14 points in some seasons. For KKR, who currently have nine points from 10 matches, the path to qualification is clear but daunting.
To reach the safer 16-point mark, KKR must win all of their remaining four matches, bringing their total to 17 points. This would guarantee a playoff berth.
However, even 15 points could be enough if KKR’s NRR remains competitive and other results go their way. If they lose more than one game, they will get knocked out of the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Remaining Fixtures in IPL 2025
Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
May 4 | Rajasthan Royals | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
May 7 | Chennai Super Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
May 10 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
May 17 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
For Latest IPL 2025 Updates
