A Shardul Thakur special against Baroda helped Mumbai post a mammoth 169-run win which have brought alive hopes of making it to the knockouts. Mumbai next face Karnataka at the Wankhede stadium and would have to do a lot of number crunching if they are to seal a quarter-final berth. Here’s a to-do list for Mumbai ahead of their clash on Friday.
Mumbai are currently fourth in the points table with 17 points, behind Karnataka (32), Tamil Nadu (23) and Baroda (18). If Mumbai beat Karnataka and the Baroda vs Tamil Nadu game ends in a draw or a loss for Baroda, then Mumbai will be through.
Both Madhya Pradesh and Railways have 16 points each and a win with a bonus point will put them at level with Mumbai. However, Mumbai will be through on the basis of registering more outright wins.
If Baroda beat Tamil Nadu, then Mumbai will need to beat Karnataka with a bonus point. This will leave three teams – Tamil Nadu, Baroda and Mumbai tied at 23 points. However, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai will be through by registering more outright wins. If Baroda beat Tamil Nadu with a bonus point, then Mumbai will be eliminated.
Mumbai can still make it to next stage without winning their next game. If Mumbai draws their game after getting first innings lead, they will be through if Baroda does not get first innings lead, and neither of Madhya Pradesh and Railways win their games.
Mumbai can still make it to next round even if they don’t get a first innings lead. For that to happen, they will have to ensure that they earn at least one point from their game against Karnataka and hope Baroda, Madhya Pradesh and Railways lose their games. This will leave Mumbai tied with Baroda on points and they will be through by winning more matches.
