IPL 2018: Playoffs qualification scenarios for Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (MI) have jeopardised their chances of qualification badly by losing against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday. They will not be able to finish on 16 points now which is generally a deadline for the teams to go through to the playoffs and also be in the top two. But there are chances for the other teams to sneak in with 14 points as well if the results of the other matches go their way to bring the net run-rate into the equation. However, the defending champions are once again left with the same scratching to do and must be still hopeful of making it to the playoffs.

Rohit Sharma and his men are currently at the sixth position with 5 wins after 12 matches and it goes without saying that they will have to win their remaining two matches to stay in contention for the playoffs. Unfortunately for them only winning will not be enough now and the other teams also will have to make them a huge favour. The only thing working for Mumbai Indians right now is their superior net run-rate thanks to their 102-run victory over KKR. Here are the scenarios for the defending champions to qualify for the playoffs:

Note: Mumbai Indians have to win their remaining two matches against KXIP and DD

1. KXIP and KKR to lose all their matches

Kings XI Punjab have three matches left against RCB, MI and CSK and will have to lose all these games. Mumbai should also have to pray that KKR loses their remaining matches against the Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) which will eliminate both the teams as they will have 12 points after 14 matches. In this case, two spots in the top four will open up and Mumbai can even finish on the third position with the best net run-rate and either of RR or RCB will also qualify with 14 points depending on the result of their game.

2. KXIP to win 2 out of 3 matches, RR and KKR to lose at least 1

Mumbai can also qualify even if Kings XI beat RCB on Monday which will eliminate the latter side from the tournament and then lose to Mumbai before beating CSK in the last league game. If KXIP wins two of their last 3 matches, Royals and KKR will have to lose at least one of their last couple of games which will again lead to a three-way tie on 14 points and then the defending champions can go through with 14 points based on their net run-rate.

3. Five-way tie on 14 points

This scenario is the most unlikely one out of all but there is still a possibility that as many as five teams can finish on 14 points and the two teams with best NRR will go through to the knockouts. KXIP will have to lose against MI and RCB and then win their last game against CSK which will keep them on 14 points. Then RCB has to beat the Royals and SRH to end up 14 points even as KKR should lose to Ajinkya Rahane and Co. before beating SRH which leave both the teams on the same number of points like Punjab.

On the other hand, Mumbai, after beating KXIP and DD, will also be standing on 14 points which will lead to a five-way tie and the third and fourth team will go through on the basis of the NRR.

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