Mumbai Indians are down in the dumps literally in the 2024 edition of the IPL. Nothing has gone right for the five-time champions in the tournament so far and with eight defeats already, their qualification chances are all but gone. However, there are still three matches to be played and such a revered franchise will be playing for their pride. The game is crucial for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who are in and around the top four but Mumbai Indians will have strong backing on Monday, May 6 as all the other eight teams will be behind them.
Given the points table, the win for the Orange Army will only benefit them. But since they are in the running for a spot in the playoffs, a win for the Mumbai Indians could be helpful for each of the eight teams in different ways, even for the Men in Blue themselves, who will get two points and some much-needed relief for their fans and the players, who haven't been able to put together the performances they desired.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be the direct beneficiaries of an MI win on Monday as they are coming off a 98-run loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders and will be up against SRH in their next game. So, if SRH go into that game with five losses, same as LSG, it would help the KL Rahul-led side immensely with a few teams stuck on 12 points.
Similarly, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would want their fellow competitors for the third and fourth spots to keep losing which would enhance their chances. Hence, SRH losing to MI will keep them in the top three for now.
The top two teams Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are currently competing for positions one and two. The only team, which could make a run for top two among the ones lower than them are SRH and suffering a fifth loss could help RR and KKR both breathe a sigh of relief that there will be no third team competing for the top two spots.
Now teams lower than them. Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings are all hanging by a slim thread. The Capitals have the most realistic chance since they have one more win than all three of GT, RCB and Punjab in 11 games played. However, all of GT, RCB and Punjab can still get to 14 points and for them and Delhi to have a chance, they need one or two of the top teams to start losing for them to make space for either of the sides in the bottom half of the table.
Hence, SRH losing will be a great result for the table, the tournament and of course the Mumbai Indians, who can't seem to buy a win for the love of God. The batters seem to be struggling, and the bowling apart from Jasprit Bumrah has been off-colour and MI will need to pick up their pieces and make a puzzle together to get some confidence back into the group and some joy for their fans, who have found themselves in an unusual situation this year.
