IPL 2018: How Mumbai Indians can still qualify for the playoffs?
The IPL defending champions Mumbai Indians are on the brink of elimination from the tournament as they are languishing in the sixth position with 10 points from 12 games. With five teams above them in the points table with more points than them, one might expect that Mumbai's season is over. But, the Rohit Sharma-led team can still make it to the playoffs.
For that to happen, they should win both their remaining games and expect the results of the matches to go their way. In that case, they will be having 14 points at the end of the league stage and they will be banking on their net run-rate, which is already superior to their competitors.
In fact, Mumbai Indians' NRR is the best among the eight teams in the tournament, thanks to the narrow defeats they suffered early in the tournament. As of now, only Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the playoffs while Delhi Daredevils are out of contention in reaching the last four.
Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, along with Mumbai are in contention for the remaining two spots going into the last week of the league stages.
This is how the points table looks like after Mumbai Indians' game against Rajasthan Royals.
How will the outcome of other matches help Mumbai Indians' case?
How will the points table look like if the results of these matches go in Mumbai's favour?
In simple words, Mumbai Indians should win their two remaining matches and hope that the results of other matches go in their favour.