Royal Challengers Bangalore were the first to make it to the finals of IPL 2025. Still, if Punjab reaches the finals by winning the second qualifier, then it can become the champion even without playing. There is a special rule of BCCI behind this, which it can benefit from.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, which has failed to win the IPL title for the last 17 seasons, is on the threshold of becoming the champion for the first time. In IPL 2025, this team captained by Rajat Patidar has made it to the finals with a strong performance. But this dream of winning the title can be shattered and the reason for this will be a special rule of BCCI, due to which Bangalore may miss out on becoming the champion as soon as it is implemented. If this happens, Punjab Kings will win the title of IPL 2025, which is itself waiting for its first trophy till date.

But what is this rule? Let us tell you in detail. First of all, let's talk about Bangalore, which made it to the IPL final for the first time since 2016. RCB had secured second place in the points table. Then in the first qualifier, this team defeated Punjab Kings and made it directly to the final. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians defeated Gujarat Titans in the eliminator match and made it to the second qualifier. It was here that they were set to face Punjab Kings. The winner of this match will make it to the final, which will face Bangalore.

This rule of playoff will be beneficial

Now let's talk about the BCCI rule, which will first apply to the rules of Punjab and Mumbai. This rule is about the interruption due to rain or any other reason. Actually, the match between Punjab and Mumbai was delayed due to rain. Now if this match was completely canceled due to rain, then Punjab Kings would have benefited from it. This is because it is clear in the BCCI's 'Playing Conditions' for the IPL 2025 season that if all efforts to get a result in the playoff match fail, then the team that gets the first position in the points table will be considered the winner.

This has been done because there is no reserve day for the playoff matches. In this situation, Punjab will reach the final because it was in the first place and Mumbai in the fourth place. In this way, Mumbai's dream of winning the sixth title would be shattered. But not only Mumbai, the same will happen in the final as well. It is clear in the 'Playing Conditions' that this rule will not only be applicable in the qualifiers and eliminators, but will also be applicable in the final.

Punjab will become IPL champion

So far BCCI has not announced a reserve day for the final. But it is expected to happen. Even then, if the match is not decided due to rain on both the days, then both the teams in the final will not be declared joint champions, as is the case in ICC tournaments. On the contrary, the team that is higher in the points table will be the winner.

Now it is clear that Punjab was in the first place and Bangalore was in the second place. In such a situation, Punjab can become the champion of IPL 2025. However, if Mumbai Indians reaches the final instead of Punjab Kings, then in that case Bangalore will get the benefit of this rule. This is because Bangalore was in the second place and Mumbai was in the fourth place.