IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians in do-or-die clash with Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have to make it count vs Mumbai Indians (MI) in their bid for a playoff berth as they are up against favourites Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their last match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018) league phase.

So competitive has the Indian Premier League been this season that teams have struggled for consistency. There’s been no margin for error. The smallest chinks have proved costly. Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab have learnt this lesson the hard way. (IPL 2018 points table)

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), who play Mumbai Indians (MI) next, have a two-point advantage, but are also fighting to stay alive in the tournament. They have lost the early momentum and are in a freefall. (PTI)

The late surge Mumbai Indians are famous for has eluded them this time. As they face Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday in their penultimate game, MI’s chances of progressing to the playoffs hang by a thread.

Kings XI have a two-point advantage, but are also fighting to stay alive in the tournament. They have lost the early momentum and are in a freefall.

With two rounds to go, MI are on 10 points after 12 games while Kings XI have 12 from 12.

NO MARGIN FOR ERROR

A defeat on Wednesday will signal the end of Mumbai’s campaign. Their precarious situation is owing to the four defeats suffered in their first five games -- all last-over losses.

It’s been the reverse for their opponents. Kings XI Punjab started brightly, but a poor show by the middle-order has seen the team stumble to five defeats in their last six games.

MI’S 2014 INSPIRATION

Even if MI win their remaining fixtures, they can at best finish with 14 points. The problem is, as of Tuesday evening, there were five teams who can finish with 14 points.

MI will take heart from the fact that the tally has sufficed in 2014, helping them to make the playoffs. However, all other results have to go their way.

Sunrises Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings have already booked their playoff spots. The other two spots are up for grabs, but there are five teams in the fray. Apart from MI and Kings XI, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore too are in with the chance.

MI find themselves in this situation due to a lack of punch towards the end of the innings. Kings XI’s Achilles heel is their middle order, and rivals have capitalised.

The last game on Sunday was another example of MI’s finishing woes. An excellent start (87 for no loss) from Suryakumar Yadav and Even Lewis was frittered away.

After a roaring start to the tournament, Kings XI have lost momentum. After shooting themselves in the foot against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, succumbing to 88 all out in 15.1 overs, Kings XI have little time to regroup.

KINGS’ BEST CHANCE

On current form, among their last two opponents, Kings XI’s best chance is against MI. In their final round, Kings XI are up against hot favourites Chennai Super Kings, while MI have a relatively easier game against bottom-placed Delhi Daredevils.

The last time the two teams played, they dished out a thriller. With 31 needed off 16 balls, Krunal Pandya (31 off 12 balls) played a blinder to take the game away from Kings XI as MI won by six wickets.

With everything riding on the game, another cracker is on the cards.