Mumbai Indians kept their IPL 2024 playoff dreams alive with a crucial victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. The win took 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 reaching the playoffs remain slim, the win means that victories in the remaining two matches will give them a chance to end up in the Top 4. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, remain fourth with 12 points from 11 matches.

Coming to the match, Suryakumar Yadav scored 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 conditions that can lead to MI reaching the IPL Playoffs –

Condition 1:First and foremost, the Hardik Pandya-led side has to win all of its remaining two matches in the IPL 2024 league campaign. MI are scheduled to take on Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants next.

Condition 2:Hope that no other team crosses the 12-point mark in IPL 2024 standings. At present, SRH, LSG and CSK already have 12 points to their name. Hence, at least two of these franchises will have to lose their remaining matches in the league campaign. With KKR and RR already sitting at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots 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 have a Net Run Rate of -0.212 at present. Even if MI win all of their remaining matches, they will need to do that by big margins in order to get into a positive NRR.

But, that might not be enough if the NRR of other teams at 12 points is better than MI. Though you never say never in a sport like cricket, it’s fair to assert that Mumbai Indians’ chances of IPL 2024 playoffs qualification don’t instill much hope in the hearts of their fans.