IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How can Mumbai Indians qualify for playoffs after loss against KKR in Match 51?

Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians exchanged blows in Match 51 of the Indian Premier League 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 3. MI won the toss and opted to bowl first. KKR had a terrible start as they lost four wickets during the powerplay, followed by another loss in the first delivery after the first six overs. However, with the help of Manish Pandey as the Impact Sub and Venkatesh Iyer, the innings stabilised. Iyer managed to score 70 runs off 52 balls, putting the visitors in contention with a score of 169.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a 24-run victory over Mumbai Indians. Mitchell Starc played a crucial role in KKR's win as he picked up four wickets to restrict Mumbai's total to 145 runs. Despite Suryakumar Yadav's impressive knock of 56 runs, the rest of the MI batting line-up struggled against KKR's pacers. With Yadav's dismissal, KKR wrapped up the innings and secured their first win at the Wankhede in 12 years.

MI Indians fighting a losing battle in IPL 2024

If Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad lose all their remaining matches except for their head-to-head match, and MI win their four matches, then all three teams could have ended up tied for third place. However, after their defeat against KKR, Mumbai Indians could potentially be one of the seven teams battling for a single playoff spot if they fetch 12 points each in the three remaining games. With this win, Kolkata Knight Riders have prematurely settled the points table muddle for the lower-ranked teams.

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“I mean obviously in the batting inning, we couldn’t form partnerships and kept losing wickets, in T20s if you don’t form partnerships, it will cost you. Not much, there are a lot of questions but that will take some time to answer but for now, not much to say. As you mentioned, the bowlers did a fantastic job, the wicket got a little better after the first innings, the dew came on. We will go through the game and see what could we have done better. You keep fighting, that is what I tell to myself, never leave the battlefield, tough days come but good also come here, it’s challenging but challenges make you better,” said Hardik Pandya after the game.