Mumbai Indians beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 match© AFP
Mumbai Indians kept their IPL 2024 play-off dreams alive with a crucial win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. The win lifted Mumbai Indians to the ninth spot with 8 points from 12 matches with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.212. Although the chances of MI making the play-offs remain slim, the victory means that victories in the remaining two matches give them a chance to finish in the Top 4. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, remain fourth with 12 points from 11 matches. .
The match saw Suryakumar Yadav score a sensational century after brilliant bowling performances from Hardik Pandya and Piyush Chawla as MI defeated SRH by 7 wickets.
Here's a look at the three circumstances that could lead to MI reaching the IPL Playoffs:
Condition 1:First and foremost, the Hardik Pandya-led team needs to win all the remaining two matches in the IPL 2024 competition. MI will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.
Condition 2:I hope no other team crosses the 12-point mark in the IPL 2024 standings. Currently, SRH, LSG and CSK already have 12 points to their name. Therefore, at least two of these franchises will have to lose their remaining matches in the league campaign. With KKR and RR already at number 1 and number 2 respectively with 16 points each, it is impossible for Mumbai Indians to topple them. In fact, big wins against other teams for KKR and RR would only benefit MI.
Condition 3:Mumbai Indians currently have a Net Run Rate of -0.212. Even if MI win all their remaining matches, they will have to do so by large margins to get into a positive NRR.
But that may not be enough if other teams' NRR is better than MI by 12 points. While you never say never in a sport like cricket, it is safe to say that Mumbai Indians' chances of qualifying for the IPL 2024 play-offs do not raise much hope in the hearts of their fans.
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