Mumbai Indians have had a turbulent journey in IPL 2024 so far, but they are still in the running for the playoffs. Despite being five-time champions, they currently find themselves at the bottom of the points table with only three victories out of eleven matches. This season has been quite disappointing for MI as they have struggled to perform collectively on the field.
Even with Hardik Pandya returning to the franchise and taking on the captaincy role, he has failed to inspire the team with his own performance. Both his batting and bowling form have been quite underwhelming, scoring only 198 runs and claiming 6 wickets. The criticism from fans has added to the challenges he faces.
Former captain Rohit Sharma has also lacked consistency, particularly with his batting in the recent matches. Despite scoring 326 runs in 11 matches, he has only managed to score one fifty-plus score, which was a century in a losing effort against the Chennai Super Kings.
On a positive note, Suryakumar Yadav has shown promising signs in the recent matches. He has scored 232 runs in 8 matches, including three half-centuries.
Below is a breakdown of how Mumbai Indians can secure a spot in the playoffs.
MI faces a challenging road to reach the playoffs, but there is still a glimmer of hope. With three matches left against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants, they must win all three to have a chance. Yet, their journey doesn’t end there, as they will need favorable results from other teams to progress in the tournament.
It is essential for MI that current leaders Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals secure the top two positions in the league stage. Additionally, the outcome of the Sunrisers vs. Super Giants match will also impact MI, as the losing team will need to lose all remaining matches to finish with 12 points. CSK must also lose their remaining matches for MI’s playoff aspirations to stay alive.
Furthermore, MI must hope that the teams currently in the bottom four do not surpass 12 points. Even then, Hardik and his team will need to rely on the Net Run Rate, with multiple teams potentially finishing on 12 points, to progress in the tournament.
Jasprit Burmah – The Standout Performer
The primary fast bowler from India has proven to be the key player for the team that has won the championship five times. Bumrah is currently leading the race for the Purple Cap with 17 wickets in 11 matches. He has consistently delivered for his team during both the initial overs and the final overs. His impressive economy rate of 6.25 is remarkable in a tournament where scores of 200 or more are common. If MI manages to secure a spot in the playoffs, Bumrah’s chances of winning his first Purple Cap will improve. Otherwise, the competition may become more intense, and the Indian fast bowler may have to wait for another season to claim the prestigious cap.