Mumbai Indians first team to bow out of IPL 2024 playoff race.
Mumbai Indians have become the earliest franchise to get eliminated from contention for the IPL 2024 knockouts after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s convincing victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad on Saturday.
A transitional season proved too difficult for the 5-time champions as a change in leadership from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya did not stem their on-field woes. Off the field as well, the decision attracted fan ire against the MI management.
With just two games remaining, MI can only reach a maximum of 12 points, which would not be enough given that at least three other teams have already achieved that mark. The latest match resulted in either DC or LSG being guaranteed to reach 14 points, ruling out any chances for MI to catch up.
It was a rocky start for MI, who lost their opener against Pandya’s former side, GT, followed by blowout losses to formidable oppositions in SRH and RR early on. Their first win came against DC after they posted a big total themselves.
While they eventually beat RCB and PBKS, another winless streak of four matches significantly impaired their playoff chances. Two of those defeats were crushing, as they conceded massive totals against RR and DC on their own tracks.
The beleaguered-time IPL winners will aim to end their disappointing season on a high when they face league leaders KKR and LSG in their remaining two games for pride at stake now.
