Qualification Scenarios of MI: Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a horrible time in the middle in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The two-time IPL winners have only managed to stick losses to them so far in the 11 games, barring the three victories. Their recent loss came against KKR at the Wankhede Stadium, the match-up that the Mumbai Indians bossed for more than a decade.
Mumbai Indians bowlers did well to reduce KKR to a meagre total of 169 runs in the first innings. Barring Manish Pandey (42 runs)and Venkatesh Iyer (70 runs), none of the KKR batters could score against the MI bowling lineup. Jasprit Bumrah and Nuwan Thusara were the chief architects of KKR’s fall at Wankhede as both of them picked three wickets each.
Despite the low score on board, Mumbai Indians batters made a mess of the chase and eventually lost it by 24 runs. The opening, once again, failed to put up a solid foundation. The middle order looked fragile and was demolished by the KKR bowlers without incurring a lot of damage. Except for Suryakumar Yadav (56), who turned out to be a lone warrior, with his fine half-century, none of the MI batters could actually get stock of the situation.
The situation looks gloomy and bland for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. From 11 games, they have only stuck three wins owing to which they are seated in the penultimate position in the IPL 2024 Points Table.
The bigger question would be can Mumbai Indians still qualify for IPL playoffs after such a quiet campaign? Is there any chance for them to proceed to the next round of the IPL 2024? What are the qualification scenarios of MI after their loss against KKR? Let’s discuss that.
Can Mumbai Indians still qualify for IPL Playoffs?
With three more games remaining in their IPL 2024 league stage campaign, the maximum Mumbai Indians can get is 12 points. They are currently at 6 points, if they win three upcoming matches, they will get 6 more points, which will take their overall tally to 12.
Will this be enough for Mumbai to qualify for the IPL Playoffs? No!
It’s important to note that Mumbai Indians (MI) are essentially knocked out of the IPL 2024, however, they do have an outside chance, which has a very low chance of success.
Not only does the MI need to win every match from now on (against SRH, KKR and LSG), but they will also require many of the upcoming fixtures to pan out as per their convenience or wish.
The team in Blue & Gold would hope that none of SRH and LSG, both of which sit with 12 points currently, gets to win any of their remaining matches. A single win to them, Mumbai Indians will be out of the event.
Likewise, CSK and DC, who are at 10 points, don’t win more than one of their remaining matches in the IPL 2024. Furthermore, Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, who are at 8 points, shouldn’t win more than two of their remaining fixtures.
This would lead to a cluster of teams sitting at 12 points, and the net run rate would come into play. It’s noteworthy that these fixtures will likely go against MI and the team would be one of the first teams to get knocked out of the tournament.
ALSO READ: IPL Points Table (Updated) on May 4: Mumbai Indians are out of IPL 2024 Playoffs