T he 2024 season of the IPL has be en dismal for Mumbai Indians as the five-time champions are ninth on the table with three wins from seven games. One of IPL's most successive franchises has seemed dysfunctional with a major change which saw newly traded Hardik Pandya replace veteran captain Rohit Sharma as the skipper.
Since this decision, several rumours have surfaced about possible rifts in the Mumbai Indians camp. These off-field issues combined with the poor form of several key players including the captain have pushed MI to the ninth spot on the table with three wins, and seven losses at a net run rate of -0.272. But despite this dismal record, Mumbai still can qualify for the playoffs.
How can MI qualify for IPL 2024 Playoffs after losing to LSG?
Mumbai Indians must win all games to reach 14 points. Now talking about the other teams, Rajasthan Royals, the table-toppers must win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The loser of the game between LSG and KKR should fail to win their remaining games. Assuming LSG suffers defeat, KL Rahul's side should lose to KKR, SRH, DC and MI. For Sunrisers, the 2016 champions should beat LSG alone but lose to Gujarat Titans and Punjab.
Talking about Chennai Super Kings, the Yellow Army should beat Gujarat and lose all their games whereas Delhi should beat LSG but lose to RR & Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Talking about the Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions should beat SRH alone and lose to CSK, KKR, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Similarly, Punjab Kings must beat CSK, and PBKS & suffer defeats against RR, and RCB. Similarly, the Bengaluru-based franchise must win the remaining games and hope that MI stay ahead of RCB in NRR to qualify third into the playoffs.