Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed a place in the playoffs of IPL 2024, with one point from their washed-out game against Gujarat Titans on Thursday, ensuring they will finish the league stage in the top four. They now have 15 points with one game remaining, against Punjab Kings on May 19.
It was their first playoff qualification since IPL 2020, after finishing last in the league in 2021 and 2023, and in eighth place in 2022.
SRH’s hopes of a top-two finish, however, took a hit. They can still achieve it- they need to beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) and hope that Rajasthan Royals, who currently have 16 points, lose their last league game against table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders- but it is no longer entirely within their hands.
GT’s campaign came to a gloomy end, with their last two matches- against KKR at home on May 13 and this one in Hyderabad- washed out without a ball bowled. They finished the season with 12 points, which currently puts them third from bottom, but they could slip down one place if PBKS beat SRH.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was under covers for most of Thursday evening. A brief dry spell led to the announcement of an 20:00h toss and an 20:15h start, but rain returned almost immediately, and did not let up in any meaningful way thereafter. The match was called off at 22:10h, two hours and 40 minutes after its scheduled start. (ESPNcricinfo)
