IPL 2023 playoffs: What do MI need to do to go past RCB’s net run rate?

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will lock horns with 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a must-win game of IPL 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, May 21.

A resounding victory can give Mumbai an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs. This is because the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are also in contention for the fourth place this season, provided the latter win their last group-stage match against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT).

Both MI and RCB have won seven out of their first 13 games. They have 14 points each and can reach a maximum of 16 points. Bangalore, however, have a better net run rate (+0.180) as compared to Mumbai (-0.128). Thus, Rohit Sharma and Co. must win the game quite convincingly against Hyderabad to book a playoff berth.

As per calculations, if Mumbai bowl first and are set 181 to win, they'll have to chase it down in roughly 11.4 overs.

MI opt to bowl against SRH

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday. They made a solitary change, bringing in Kumar Kartikeya in place of Hrithik Shokeen.

Speaking at the toss, Rohit said:

"We are gonna chase. Just the nature of the pitch. It is a little dry as well. Whatever has to happen, will happen in the first innings. We just want to win the game and not think about how to do it. Winning gives us a chance. Not looking too far ahead. You just need to play well to win."

🚨 Toss Update 🚨

@mipaltan win the toss and elect to field first against @SunRisers.

Follow the match ▶️ bit.ly/TATAIPL-2023-69

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Meanwhile, SRH made two changes to their last game in IPL 2023. Vivrant Sharma and Umran Malik returned to the squad.

Here are the Playing XIs for the #MIvSRH clash 👌🏻

Follow the match ▶️ bit.ly/TATAIPL-2023-69

#TATAIPL | #MIvSRH https://t.co/gUuAINhO16

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Mayank Agarwal, Vivrant Sharma, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (w), Harry Brook, Nitish Reddy, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh, Mayank Dagar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (w), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal

Follow MI vs SRH live score updates here.