Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets on Monday (May 6) to return to winning ways in the ongoing IPL 2024. After suffering a 24-run defeat against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game, the five-time champions bounced back in style and won the game against the Sunrisers.
The Hyderabad-based team was asked to bat first and ended their innings at 173 for 8. Opener Travis Head once again top-scored for them, scoring 48 runs in 30 balls with the help of seven fours and a six. Captain Pat Cummins also played a crucial cameo scoring 35 runs off 17 balls to take his team to a total of over 170.
In response, MI managed to level the score within 18 overs by losing just three wickets thanks to an unbeaten century from Suryakumar Yadav. The right-handed batsman scored an unbeaten 102 runs off 51 balls to take his team home. MI were reeling at 31 for 3 at one point before Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma (32*) shared an unbeaten stand of 142 runs.
MI, SRH qualification scenario:
Mumbai Indians preserved their slim playoff chances with victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With 4 wins from 12 games, they are currently at the ninth position in the IPL 2024 points table. Although their chances of making it to the next round are extremely slim, they are still mathematically alive in the competition.
MI can finish their season with a maximum of 12 points if they win their remaining two league games. Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders already have 16 points, so MI will not be able to catch them. Currently, three teams – Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and SRH – have 12 points each.
To qualify for the playoffs, the Mumbai-based outfit will need at least two of these teams to lose their remaining games to avoid finishing above 12 points. Mumbai will also hope that the teams placed in the bottom half of the points table do not cross the 12-point mark.
Even if MI manage to score 12 points, they are not guaranteed a place in the playoffs. If more than one team finishes with 12 points, their fate will be decided based on net run rate.
SRH, on the other hand, has six wins from eleven games and is at the fourth position. You will easily qualify for the playoffs if you manage to win the remaining three games and finish the league phase with 18 points. Their net run rate has taken a hit after the defeat against Mumbai and they will need to get back to winning ways to make it to the next round.