Sunrisers' Playoff Dreams Dashed by Rain, Delhi Keeps Hopes Alive

Pat Cummins' impressive 3-19 goes in vain as rain calls off match, ending Sunrisers Hyderabad's playoff chances.

Pat Cummins delivered an impressive spell, taking 3-19, but his efforts were in vain as rain ruined Sunrisers Hyderabad's playoff chances. The match against Delhi Capitals was called off, and the teams had to settle for a point each.

Delhi Capitals were restricted to 133-7 in 20 overs, but the rain arrived just before Sunrisers Hyderabad could start their chase. After a delay of around one hour and 45 minutes, the match officials decided to share the points, effectively ending Sunrisers' playoff hopes.

The rain stopped after over 70 minutes, leaving the ground waterlogged. Despite the unfavorable conditions, Delhi Capitals' skipper Axar Patel and Sunrisers Hyderabad's Pat Cummins showed sportsmanship, shaking hands. The outcome of the match eliminated Hyderabad from playoff contention, joining Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

With this result, Delhi Capitals remains in fifth place but keeps their hopes of winning their first-ever IPL title alive. The team will need to perform well in the remaining matches to secure a top-four finish. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the playoffs.

DC's top three is brushed aside by Pat Cummins with the new ball 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RGcQX0aGhC

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 5, 2025

Pat Cummins started the match strongly, taking a wicket on the very first ball and leaving Delhi Capitals reeling at 62-6. However, Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs steadied the innings with a 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket, providing some respite for Delhi.

Cummins had elected to field first and made an immediate impact, taking a wicket in each of his first three overs. He dismissed Karun Nair for a duck, Faf du Plessis for 3, and Abhishek Porel for 8. Delhi's innings was further troubled by Harshal Patel's dismissal of Axar Patel and Jaydev Unadkat's wicket of KL Rahul, showcasing Hyderabad's dominant bowling performance.

Stubbs and impact substitute Ashutosh both played crucial roles in countering Delhi Capitals' slide, scoring 41 runs each. Ashutosh's aggressive 26-ball knock, featuring two fours and three sixes, showcased his batting prowess before he fell to Sri Lankan Eshan Malinga in the final over.

Stubbs, from South Africa, sealed the innings with his fourth boundary. However, rain ultimately had the final say, impacting the match's outcome and leading to its abandonment. This was the second instance in the current IPL season where rain forced a match to be called off.