Mumbai Indians out of IPL playoffs race? Here's how MI can still finish in top four despite loss to SRH
Mumbai Indians lost to SRH despite posting 243 on the board. The loss, their sixth of the season, has left the team in a do-or-die situation in their remaining six games in IPL 2026.
Mumbai Indians' (MI) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoff hopes took another severe blow after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday, April 29 at the Wankhede Stadium.
In the high-scoring encounter, MI posted a formidable 243/5, powered by Ryan Rickelton's blazing century. However, SRH chased down the target of 244 with ease in just 18.4 overs, winning by 6 wickets and 8 balls to spare. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen starred with half-centuries in a clinical chase, extending SRH's winning streak to five matches and further compounding MI's headache.
Sitting precariously at ninth place with just 4 points from 8 matches and a negative Net Run Rate of around -0.784, the five-time champions are now staring at a mountain to climb. The loss has left them with virtually no margin for error in the remaining league stage, making every upcoming game a virtual must-win.
More from FirstcricketMI IPL 2026 Playoff qualification scenario
As stated above, the Hardik Pandya-led franchise has entered in a zone where it has to win every single game to remain in contention for a play-off spot. If they can win all of their six matches, they will have eight wins and 16 points, which is enough for teams to finish in the top four.
The five-time champions can also qualify after losing one of these matches, but then a lot of other results will have to go their way. Their Net Run Rate will also have to be in good condition for them to have a chance with five wins out of their last six matches.
If they lose more than once in their last six fixtures, they can bid their hopes of a top-four finish goodbye.
MI IPL 2026 remaining fixtures
Winning six consecutive games is a tough task in IPL and what makes it even more daunting for MI is that half of their remaining fixtures are against top teams. They face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who all have been in scintillating form this season.
- MI vs CSK on May 2 (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)
- MI vs LSG on May 4 (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
- MI vs RCB on May 10 (SVNS International Stadium, Raipur)
- MI vs PBKS on May 14 (HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala)
- MI vs KKR on May 20 (Eden Gardens, Kolkata)
- MI vs RR on May 24 (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
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