Will MI's Playoff Hopes Become Tricky After Loss to GT?

Mumbai, May 7 (NationPress) Following the Mumbai Indians' three-wicket defeat against the Gujarat Titans, which was decided by the DLS method, they have now fallen to fourth place in the standings. Former Indian coach Anil Kumble expressed concerns over MI's playoff prospects, stating that they need to win their remaining two matches to secure a knockout spot without relying on the outcomes of other matches.

The MI team had a rocky start to their season, managing only one victory in their first five matches. However, they turned their fortunes around spectacularly, going on an unbeaten run of six games, even briefly sitting atop the points table. Unfortunately, their winning streak came to an abrupt halt against GT at home on Tuesday, which significantly impacts their chances of finishing in the top two.

To ensure a playoff spot, MI will need to clinch victories in both of their upcoming matches to reach 18 points. However, this does not guarantee them a top-two finish, as teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Punjab Kings can surpass the 18-point threshold. A single win may still secure a playoff position for MI, but it will require favorable outcomes from other matches.

“Eighteen points should ensure a playoff position. GT only need to win one of their last three matches to secure their spot. For Mumbai, clinching both upcoming matches is essential. At 16 points, matters can become complicated—you don’t want to be dependent on other teams' results. After winning six consecutive matches, MI certainly wouldn’t want to push it to the final moments. Winning both games is critical to take charge of their fate,” Kumble stated on JioHotstar.

Choosing to bowl first, GT showcased an impressive performance, limiting MI to 155/8 in their 20 overs. Sai Kishore stood out with two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Gerald Coetzee, and Prasidh Krishna each contributed with one wicket.

Subsequently, Shubman Gill (43), Jos Buttler (30), and Sherfane Rutherford (28) delivered significant contributions, but rain disrupted the match twice, leading to a revised target of 147 runs in a 19-over match. With 15 runs required in the final over, Rahul Tewatia, Gerald Coetzee, and Arshad Khan led GT to a thrilling victory at the Wankhede Stadium.

With this exciting win, GT has regained the top position in the IPL 2025 points table, boasting 16 points from 11 matches.

Reflecting on Gujarat Titans’ performance and the exhilarating final over, Kumble remarked, “That last over was crucial. As a bowler in that moment, your primary focus should be to avoid conceding boundaries. The dew and low bounce made it easier for GT.

Having two batters capable of hitting big and a mindset like Coetzee’s—who said post-match, ‘see ball, hit ball’—is challenging to counter. It was a remarkable game of cricket—after 38 overs, everything hinged on that one over. Both teams had to adapt multiple times due to interruptions, and ultimately, GT maintained their composure,” Kumble noted.

GT will strive to extend their winning streak against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, aiming for a top-two finish. Meanwhile, MI will face off against the Punjab Kings later that evening.