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In the Match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians (MI) faced off against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday, hoping to keep their playoff dreams alive. However, their aspirations took a hit as the Super Giants emerged victorious by four wickets. The match witnessed an impressive performance from Marcus Stoinis, who played a gritty half-century, steering his team towards victory after a solid bowling display from the LSG bowlers.
LSG climbs to third position, MI languishes at ninth
Following their win, the Super Giants climbed to the third position in the IPL 2024 Points Table. With six wins and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.094, they strengthened their position in the playoff race. On the other hand, Mumbai’s woes continued as they remained stuck in ninth place with just six points from ten matches.
Playoff qualification scenarios for MI
The defeat against the Super Giants severely dented Mumbai’s playoff hopes. With only four matches left in the league stage, MI face an uphill battle. Even if they win all remaining matches, they can only accumulate a total of 14 points. Historically, teams have needed at least 16 points to secure a spot in the playoffs since the league expanded to 10 teams in 2022.
Mathematical miracle needed
While not officially knocked out, Mumbai’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs now rely on a mathematical miracle. To secure a fourth-place finish, MI must win their remaining matches by significant margins. Additionally, they need other results to go their way, with the top three teams finishing with more than 16 points and none of the other six teams surpassing 12 points, an unlikely scenario.
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NRR crucial for MI’s playoff hopes
In the event of multiple teams finishing with 14 points, Mumbai will need to have the best Net Run Rate (NRR) to progress to the playoffs as the fourth-placed side. This highlights the importance of not just winning matches but winning them convincingly.
Upcoming fixtures for MI
Following their loss to the Super Giants, Mumbai will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede Stadium on Friday, May 3. They will then have a home clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 6. Their league stage of IPL 2024 will conclude with an away game against the Knight Riders on May 11 and a home match against the Super Giants on May 17.
