Mumbai Indians become the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2024 playoffs amidst internal tensions in team

After Sunrisers Hyderabad’s stunning win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians have officially become the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race. With two games to play, MI would like to finish on a winning note.

However, it was a poor season for MI under Hardik Pandya who replaced Rohit Sharma as the skipper but that did not help change their fortunes on the field. Moreover, they all faced backlash from fans over the decision to bring in Pandya in place of the 5-time title-winning captain Rohit.

Mumbai Indians had a poor season in IPL 2024

Notably, MI faced eight losses in 12 matches. With two more matches remaining, MI can reach a maximum of 12 points by the end of the league stage, which would not be enough to make it to the top four as well. As of after the SRH vs LSG game, three teams are already on 12 points as well and they are – CSK, DC and LSG. CSK have three games left whereas DC and LSG have two each as well.

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However, MI had a poor start to their IPL 2024 campaign, losing their opening match to Gujarat Titans by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This was followed by a defeat to SRH, who smashed the then-highest ever IPL total of 277/3 as well. Though the batters tried their best with 246/5, they lost the match by 31 runs as well. Against Rajasthan Royals, they lost their third consecutive match by 6 runs as well.

However, in their 4th IPL 2024 game MI registered their first win by posting 234/5 and then restricting DC to 205/8 in Mumbai as well. This was followed by a win against RCB whereas they faced a loss to CSK in the next game as well. They beat the Punjab Kings before registering four losses as well. And, with SRH’s stunning show, they are now out of the race for IPL 2024 playoffs.

Meanwhile, senior members of the team have questioned the functioning of the team under captain Hardik Pandya. The Indian Express reported that MI’s key players recently shared with the coaching staff that there was a lack of buzz in the dressing room because of Hardik’s captaincy style.

An MI official said, “These are regular teething problems for a team that sees leadership change. This happens in sports all the time,” he said. MI officials also said the franchise, like every year, will take stock of the season and, if required take a call on the future of the team as well.