Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, two most successful teams in the IPL, are virtually out of the playoff race this year. While any more wins or losses will not affect their campaigns, the sides can sure be partyspoilers for the teams at the top. 

MI on Friday defeated table-toppers Gujarat Titans in a last over thriller. Daniel Sams delivered a three-run last over to help his side earn their second win of the season, by five runs. Now, Hardik Pandya’s men can be dethroned if Lucknow Super Giants defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second game of Saturday. The Paltan had also put a break to Rajasthan Royals’ winning run. Against the pink army, their bowlers, especially Kumar Kartikeya, and Suryakumar Yadav (51 off 39) came to the party. 

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Sanju Samson and co then ended up on the losing side versus the Kolkata Knight Riders and are pretty much in need of a win to maintain their position, third, on the points table. 

CSK, too, defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are now fifth on the points table with five wins and as many losses. 

Mumbai are scheduled to play KKR, SRH and the Delhi Capitals – all three involved in the mid-table battle. 

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Chennai will face DC, GT and RR in the next two weeks. 

Why can Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be party spoilers? 

Simply because of the fragility in the IPL 2022 points table. No team is clear at the top. GT and LSG lead with 16 and 14 points respectively, at positions that should get them into the playoffs. However, the battle for the last two places involve RR (12), RCB (12), DC (10), SRH (10), PBKS (10) and KKR (8) on the fence. 

Will Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be party spoilers this IPL? Only time will tell.