Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) continued their poor run of form and they suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 44th match of the IPL 2026 season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday (May 2). The Yellow Army defeated MI in a one-sided game in the second El Clasico of the season. Courtesy of Ruturaj Gaikwad's match-winning half-century and Kartik Sharma's 54, CSK scaled the chase of 160 in 18.1 overs. CSK have bolstered their chances of making it to the playoffs while the seventh defeat has come as a big blow to MI. Here, we see how MI can qualify for the playoffs -
First things first, MI have to win their next 5 games to pocket all 10 points on offer. Just winning the games won't be enough for MI. They will have to register big wins over their opponents to improve their NRR. MI have a below-par NRR of -0.803.
Winning the next five games won't guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. MI will need help from other teams and they will only make it to the playoffs if the results of the majority of matches go their way.
For the record, never has a team with 14 points made it to the playoffs since IPL's expansion to a 10-team event in 2022. MI can fetch a maximum of 14 points. They are practically out of IPL 2026. On paper, they aren't officially out of the season.
MI are all but out of IPL 2026. Photo: BCCI
MI will host last-placed Lucknow Super Giants on Monday (May 4). LSG are in a must-win situation. They have 2 wins and 4 points from 8 games. Just one more defeat will all but end their campaign as well.
After hosting LSG, MI will travel to Raipur to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 10. MI will land in Dharamsala to face Punjab Kings on May 14. They will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals in their last two league stage games on May 20 and 24, respectively.
KKR will host Delhi Capitals in the last league stage game of the season on May 24. The final ofIPL2026 is set to be played on May 31.
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Rishav Narang is an experienced writer with nine years of experience in sports journalism. He extensively writes on cricket and covers live matches, b...View More
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