Mumbai Indians lost to CSK by 8 wickets on Saturday. Courtesy: AP

Mumbai Indians can still qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Here's how

IPL 2026, CSK vs MI: Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians can still make their way through to the playoffs despite their heavy eight-wicket defeat to the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

02 May 2026, 20:30 by Sabyasachi Chowdhury · India Today

In Short

Mumbai Indians are languishing at ninth in the points table
MI have lost to CSK by 8 wickets on Saturday
MI have lost 7 out of their last 8 matches in IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians are in all sorts of trouble as they are slowly but surely nearing an early elimination from the Indian Premier League 2026. On Saturday, May 2, MI slumped to an eight-wicket defeat against the Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With the loss, MI remained ninth in the table with four points and a net run rate of -0.803, having managed just two wins from nine matches.

Having lost seven of their last eight matches, Hardik Pandya’s men have been woefully out of form. Against the Super Kings, MI could only manage 159 for seven after opting to bat first. Naman Dhir, dropped on 19 by Will Jacks, went on to top-score with a 57-run knock, laced with four fours and three sixes.

CSK vs MI: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

In reply, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma scored fifties to ensure the Super Kings chased down the target with 11 balls to spare. Mumbai will now look to bounce back when they face Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, May 4, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

HOW MUMBAI INDIANS CAN QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS

The question now is whether Mumbai Indians can still make their way into the playoffs. It’s not impossible, but the chances are slim. Their fate is no longer in their own hands as winning all remaining matches may still not guarantee qualification. Even if they finish with 14 points, they will have to rely on other results, with net run rate likely to play a decisive role.

The 2026 season marks the sixth Indian Premier League edition featuring 10 teams, after 2011, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. In these seasons, only once has a team qualified for the playoffs with seven wins (14 points). That instance came in 2024, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged past Chennai Super Kings on net run rate to secure a top-four finish.

Hence, from here on, MI have very little breathing space in the tournament. Not only do they need to keep winning, but they must also improve their net run rate to ensure they don’t fall behind if qualification comes down to that metric.

- Ends