Nothing but a win will do for the Mumbai Indians against the Delhi Daredevils on Friday if the defending champions are to void that playoffs door being slammed shut.
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The game is scheduled for a 4 pm IST (11.30 am BST, 6.30 am ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD (English) and Sony Max (Hindi) in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online HERE or HERE. Viewers in the US can catch the game on Willow TV or with the live streaming option HERE, while Canada viewers can do the same HERE. Watch the match in the rest of the world HERE, HERE or through the GoCricket apps.
Viewers in the Middle East can watch the action on OSN with the live streaming option available HERE, while New Zealand viewers can do the same via Sky NZ or HERE or via the above rest of the world options. Viewers in the UK can catch the match on ITV, while Pakistan viewers can do the same on Geo Super, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh audience able to watch the game on TV on Masaranga TV and Carlton Sports Network respectively.
MI have done well to still be in the reckoning to finish among the top four, winning three of their last four games, including the last two, and Rohit Sharma's side will be confident of continuing their good recent run when they host DD in their fortress – the Wankhede Stadium.
It is easy to think what might have been had MI managed to pick up a couple of wins in the UAE leg instead of losing all five, and also if Lendl Simmons had been a part of the MI team right from the off.
Simmons has been in stellar form since coming into the Mumbai Indians lineup, with his hundred – the first of IPL 2014 – against the Kings XI Punjab a thing of beauty.
"This 100 is very special," Simmons told IPL's official website after leading his side to a comfortable win against KXIP on Wednesday. "I am just grateful for the chance to play in the IPL after not being picked up in the auction.
"In my first game, I scored 38 and then have built on that. This is a great feeling, scoring the first century of this IPL season and my first century in a long time.
"I'll be more satisfied with this knock if it helps us make the playoffs. If we get there, I'll be able to look back at this knock and say, 'Yes, I had a big impact on us getting into the top four.'"
MI will be up against a Daredevils side with nothing to play for. They have been out of playoff contention for quite a while now with a chance to at least avoid the wooden spoon also not in the picture.
Pride and professionalism really are the only aspects they have to bank upon in their last two games of the season, and a win over the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede will be a decent feather in their caps as they look ahead to next season.
"It has been very disappointing to have such a dismal season," Duminy said. "We have some very good players, but we haven't fired as a group. Our batting and bowling hasn't quite clicked simultaneously in a game, which has resulted in our downfall.
"We cannot control the results, but we can give our best in all the remaining games. Even though this season has been really bad for us, we can still win the remaining two games and go out on a high. We have, not for a second, taken things for granted. We know we are privileged to be here, playing in this tournament and representing the Delhi Daredevils. And it's our responsibility to put in the good performances."
The Daredevils can act as a party pooper for the Mumbai Indians with a loss on Friday ending MI's hopes of making the playoffs. Even a win might not be enough for MI, though, because if the Rajasthan Royals win the late game against the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, RR will take the final spot.
