Sources: 
In the IPL 2025 season, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished seventh, narrowly surpassing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite having a worse Net Run Rate (NRR). Both teams ended the league stage with equal points, but LSG secured the higher position, defying the usual precedence of NRR in rankings.
This outcome marks a significant moment for LSG, who endured their worst-ever IPL campaign. Previously, they had reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, finishing third both times but falling short in the eliminator matches. The 2025 season, however, saw a dip in their performance, yet they managed to stay ahead of KKR.
KKR, the defending champions, experienced one of the poorest title defenses in IPL history. Their campaign was described as a nightmare, failing to replicate the success under captain Shreyas Iyer from the previous year. Despite having a better NRR, KKR ended eighth, highlighting the unusual circumstances of the league's final standings.
"KKR had one of the worst title defences in history," reflecting the struggles faced by the team.
"LSG secured seventh despite having a worse Net Run Rate (NRR) than defending champions KKR," emphasizing the unique ranking outcome.
This season's conclusion underscores the unpredictable nature of the IPL, where points rather than NRR ultimately determined the final league positions, leaving fans and analysts to ponder the implications for future tournaments.
Sources: LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025, edging out defending champions KKR despite having a worse Net Run Rate. Both teams ended with equal points, but LSG secured the higher spot. KKR endured one of the poorest title defenses, while LSG experienced their worst IPL campaign to date.
