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ILT20 2025 Playoffs: Red-Hot Banton, Hope And Returning David Warner In Focus
Follow UsWe’re down to four from six, and the playoff games are beautifully poised
After 24 days of riveting action, we’ve finally come to the conclusion of the league stage of the 2025 edition of the ILT20.
The league games were clearly dominated by the Lockie Ferguson-led Desert Vipers, but the race for the other three playoff spots proved to be a fascinating one, with Dubai Capitals, Sharjah Warriorz and defending champions MI Emirates finishing in the top four.
The race for the top two spots went right to the wire as the Capitals, who just won 1 of their first 4 matches in the season, sensationally leapfrogged MI Emirates to clinch second spot and give themselves two bites at the cherry.
So we’re down to four from six, and the playoff games are beautifully poised.
Here’s everything that’s unfolded thus far, and here’s also everything you need to know about the playoffs of the 2025 edition of the competition.
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What do the standings look like and who will play who in the playoffs?
The standings at the end of the group stages are as follows:
Remarkably, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR), considered one of the pre-tournament favorites, ended up finishing bottom despite boasting stars such as Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Jason Holder. They even had the explosive Phil Salt at their disposal for the first few games of the season.
As far as the playoff fixtures are concerned:
Qualifier 1, February 5
Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals, 8.00 PM IST in Dubai
Eliminator, February 6
MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warrirorz, 8.00 PM IST in Abu Dhabi
The winner of Qualifier 1 will progress straight to the final. The loser of Qualifier 1 will take on the winner of Eliminator on February 7 in Sharjah.
The final will be played on February 9, Sunday, at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Who have been the standout performers in ILT20 2025 so far?
There have been two standout performers with the bat: Shai Hope and Tom Banton. They both have amassed over 450 runs and are fighting for the top run-getter belt. It’s going to be a fierce battle between these two in the playoffs.
With the ball, MI Emirates’ Fazalhaq Farooqi has been a couple of levels above every other bowler and has taken 20 wickets. Among other bowlers who will be featuring in the playoffs, his MIE teammate Alzarri Joseph (16 wickets) is the closest. Farooqi looks all set to walk away with the top wicket-taker belt.
Who are the players to watch out for in the playoffs?
Aside from the aforementioned names, watch out for Sharjah Warriorz’ Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Dubai Capitals’ Gulbadin Naib and the Desert Vipers duo of Alex Hales and Sam Curran with the bat in hand.
It also goes without saying that someone like a Nicholas Pooran will be itching to power MIE to yet another title. And yes, David Warner has started ILT20 2025 in sublime fashion, smashing 93* in his maiden appearance, so he’ll be a handful in the playoffs, too. Thanks to DC having finished in the top two, Warner will have at least two opportunities to make a sizzling impact. But it must be noted that Warner missed DC's final group game due to a back injury, so a slight injury cloud surrounds him. The Capitals will be hoping that it's nothing serious.
With the ball in hand, watch out for the Sri Lankan duo of Dushmantha Chameera (DC) and Wanindu Hasaranga (DV). Sharjah Warriorz’ Adam Milne has also looked in sublime touch and could very well end up running through the batters if he gets into a nice groove.
All said, the playoffs of ILT20 2025 look to be a mouth-watering prospect. Can one of Dubai, Sharjah or Desert Vipers stop MI Emirates from doing a three-peat?