Explained: Why Punjab Kings will get two opportunities to reach IPL 2025 final

New Delhi: Punjab Kings on Monday booked their place in IPL 2025 qualifier 1 after winning a seven -wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their final league match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. With this win, PBK climbed to the top of the points table with 19 points, became the first team this season to confirm a top-two closing-a achievement that they have achieved for the first time in 11 years.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Under Head Coach Ricky Ponting and Captain Shres Iyer, who sealed the win with six, Punjab’s turnaround has been notable. But there is an important strategic advantage beyond the festival: another chance to reach the final.Who is that IPL player?Why does it matter here?The IPL playoff format includes four matches: qualifier 1, eliminator, qualifier 2 and final. Teams first and second in league stage play in qualifier 1. The winner of this match goes directly to the finals, while the losers get another opportunity – they face the winner of eliminator (played between third and fourth -ranked teams) in Qualifier 2.

This means that Punjab Kings now have two opportunities to reach the final. If they win the qualifier 1, they are inside. If they lose, they get a second shot in qualifier 2. Conversely, if they lose the eliminator, the third or fourth face immediate elimination teams.

The cushion of another life is the last award for stability in the league stage – and with the form of Punjab Kings, speed, faith and their favor, will look to count it as they follow their first IPL title.