NEW DELHI: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have been eliminated from the
IPL 2024
play-off contention, becoming the first team this season to face such a fate. Despite their efforts, the team's performance has not been up to the mark, resulting in a series of losses that have dashed their hopes for a spot in the play-offs.
Their fate was sealed after Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a crushing 10-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL match in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Blazing fifties by
Travis Head
(89* off 30 balls) and
Abhishek Sharma
(75* off 28 balls) pummelled LSG bowlers for their stand for the opening wicket, and raced past the target of 166 in just 9.4 overs. Earlier, Ayush Badoni's unbeaten fifty carried LSG to 165 for four on a slow pitch.
Mumbai Indians have endured a challenging season, suffering eight defeats in 12 games so far. Even if they secure victories in their remaining two fixtures, the maximum points they can accumulate is 12.
However, SRH's victory propelled them to 14 points on the table. With Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants slated to face each other on May 14, one of these teams would also reach 14 points. Consequently, this scenario indicates that Mumbai Indians will not meet the cutoff to qualify for the playoffs.
The five-time champions' exit from the play-off race is a significant event in this year's IPL, as it sets the tone for the remaining matches and the battle for the top 4 spots among the other teams.
Mumbai Indians face an uphill battle as they prepare to take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens in their upcoming fixture. Following that crucial encounter, they will conclude their season against Lucknow Super Giants on May 17.
Although Jasprit Bumrah has been impressive with his bowling performances, the batting unit has struggled to find its rhythm and consistency throughout the tournament.
Moreover,
Hardik Pandya
's leadership skills have come under scrutiny, adding to the challenges that MI must overcome in their remaining matches. The team will need to regroup and address these issues if they hope to finish the season on a positive note.
In Hardik's debut season as skipper for Mumbai Indians, the team managed to secure victory in only four matches, falling short of expectations.
Fans are disappointed, as the Mumbai Indians have a strong following and high expectations due to their past successes in the Indian Premier League.
The team will now focus on rebuilding and strategizing for the next season, aiming to come back stronger and more competitive.
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