IPL 2023: Can Mumbai Indians qualify for the playoffs?

After having secured consecutive victories in their previous two matches against GT and RCB, the Mumbai Indians team has emerged as one of the most formidable forces in the ongoing tournament, with a higher likelihood of qualifying for the IPL playoffs. Led by the illustrious Rohit Sharma, the team now endeavours to maintain their winning momentum and strive for further success in the upcoming games.

So far, Mumbai have played 12 matches and won seven of those. With 14 points, they are sitting at number three on the points table. But, that surely is not enough. Whoever wins the Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians match will secure their place in the top four.

If LSG win it, they may even get to number two, beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK). CSK, with 15 points, have a net run rate (NRR) of +0.381. LSG are not far behind; their NRR is at +0.309. In that case, MI will be pushed down to the fourth position. At least four teams are eyeing that position at the moment.

Rohit Sharma and company must ensure that they win this match and their last league match, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In that case, MI will have 18 points, surely enough to qualify for the playoffs. They even end up in the top two.

Even if they lose one of these two matches, they will still have 16 points and a decent chance of qualifying since the table is heavily crowded with contenders at the moment. Not many teams are likely to have 16 points at the end of the league stage.

But, MI may end in the bottom two positions of the top four, facing the chance of elimination in their very first match in the playoff stage.

In case, Mumbai fail to win any of their next two matches, they may still qualify on paper. But, everything will be left to how other teams perform, and a plethora of other mathematical calculations of probability.