IPL 2025 resumes: Five things to pay attention to this weekend, as the largest T20 league in the world enters the final leg | Mint

IPL 2025: RCB, GT and PBKS want to seal their place in the playoffs, while champions defended KKR’s fight against their survival in the playoffs. Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will be in action on Saturday against KKR at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Kohli needs 6 runs to become the leading runner of the season. On the weekend of May 17-18, the end of the league stage should have seen if the matches were not suspended due to the conflict between India and Pakistan. Instead, this weekend will see the restart of IPL 2025, after an eight -day gap. Here are the most important stories. Virat Kohli in action after Test retirement was last seen in action on May 3 against Chennai Super Kings. Much was taken place between May 3 and May 17. The Talismanic cricketer announced his retirement from Tests on May 11. The ever-energetic RCB fans are trying to create a sea of ​​white on Saturday in the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for RCB’s home game against KKR. It will be an emotionally charged atmosphere. Rain threatens KKR’s play -off game hopes that Kolkata Knight Riders took 11 points out of 12 games. Winning their last two games themselves may not be enough for them to seal a place in the playoffs. A washing case against RCB Saturday will lead to the elimination of the defending champions. Accuweather predicted an 80% chance of rain in the evening. Three teams can seal the qualification of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Gujarat Titans will reach the playoffs if they beat Delhi Capitals in the evening game on Sunday. Punjab Kings will also qualify for the playoffs if they beat Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon match and lost as the Delhi’s capitals in the evening match against Gujarat Titans. Reason: Punjab Kings will reach 17 points with a win. Only one of Delhi’s capitals (13 points) and Mumbai -Indians (14 points) will be able to reach 17 points if Delhi’s capitals decrease to Gujarat Titans on Sunday. Delhi Capitals in Crisis Delhi Capitals started the season with four consecutive wins, the first time they achieved it in an IPL season. Things look jitrous before the league was suspended on May 8. DC’s play -off prospects look like the withdrawal of Mitchell Starc and the uncertainty about the participation of various overseas players. Faf du Plessis’ participation remains a doubt. Starc’s unavailability will affect them most, as the Australian was their leading wicketkeeper (14 wickets) before the league suspension. Mustafizur Rahman, signed as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, received a no objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to represent Delhi from May 18 to 24. Note: This part will be updated periodically after any new developments. Can Rajasthan Royals disrupt the race? Punjab Kings has so far lost only three games in IPL 2025. They were exceeded on two occasions, once by Rajasthan Royals (50 runs) and the other by the royal challengers Bengaluru in a day match. PBKS’s match on Sunday is a day game against Rajasthan Royals. RR is without Jofra Archer, the player of the match in the previous meeting. Can the exhausted Royals Punjab Kings’ play -off match disrupt? Stay up to date with all the actions from the IPL 2025. Look at the IPL 2025 schedule, follow the latest IPL 2025 points table and follow the top performers with the orange cap and purple cap.