The Mumbai Indians’ hopes of reaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs are hanging by a thread after a string of disappointing performances. With just three matches remaining in the league stage, the five-time champions face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians have struggled to find consistency. Established stars like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kieron Pollard have failed to live up to expectations, while the team’s overall strategy has been questioned.
To qualify for the playoffs, the Mumbai Indians must win all three of their remaining matches and hope that other teams falter. They face a tough task against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants.
Even if the Mumbai Indians win all their remaining matches, they may still miss out on the playoffs due to their poor net run rate (-0.356). To improve their chances, they need to win by large margins and hope that other teams with 12 points (SRH, LSG, CSK) lose their remaining matches.
The Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, who currently occupy the top two spots with 16 points each, are virtually assured of playoff berths. The Mumbai Indians’ hopes rest on the unlikely scenario of these teams losing their remaining matches and the Mumbai Indians winning all of theirs by significant margins.
Despite the long odds, the Mumbai Indians will be desperate to salvage their season and make a late push for the playoffs. However, their chances appear slim, and they may be forced to accept an early exit from the tournament.
