Can MI Still Qualify For Playoffs in IPL 2023?

Defending 11 runs in the last over with the likes of  Tim David (32*) and Cameron Green (4*) in the middle, left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan (1/26) executed a near flawless over to hand Lucknow Super Giants a five-run victory against Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Cricket Stadium tonight.

The win has taken LSG to the third spot on the points table, while MI have been relegated one spot below to the fourth position.

While the Rohit Sharma-led side still have a significant breathing space as compared to the rest of the teams below them, they surely have been handed a visible dent as far as their Indian Premier League 2023 playoffs berth is concerned.

Can MI Still Qualify For Playoffs in IPL 2023?

Yes, they can. However, it is highly likely that they will also need to have a few other teams’ results to go their way. First things first, they will require to win their last league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 21 at the Wankhede Stadium. A victory at their home ground which will take their points tally to 16 and make their chances relatively easier.

Even after the win, they would have to hope that – a) either of Chennai Super Kings or Super Giants lose their last league match, OR b) Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings lose one of their remaining two league matches (both presently at 12 points).

MI, which presently is the only team in the Top-6 with a negative Net Run Rate (-0.128), will have to be particularly wary of RCB as they have a positive NRR of +0.166. The Kings, on the other hand, have a NRR poorer than theirs at -0.268. Hence, they will need to register a huge margin of victory if they are to advance towards the next stage after tying with the Indians on 16 points.

On the other hand, if MI lose their last match as well against SRH, they will have to hope that – a) RCB lose both their remaining matches, and b) Punjab beat Rajasthan and then lose versus Delhi.