IPL 2025: Rain drowns SRH’s playoff hopes as Delhi Capitals escape with a point-OxBig News Network

In the cruellest of finishes, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s faint hopes of reaching the IPL 2025 playoffs were dashed after their must-win clash against Delhi Capitals on May 5 was called off due to rain. The abandonment was all the more heartbreaking for the Pat Cummins-led side, who had produced their most complete bowling performance of the season to restrict DC to 136/7, only for persistent showers during the innings break to end the contest.

Taking the field at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, SRH exploited the home conditions perfectly after Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl. With Mohammed Shami dropped following a string of underwhelming performances, the SRH captain led from the front in the powerplay.

Cummins struck on the very first ball of the match, removing Karun Nair, and set the tone for the innings with a superb spell of 3/19. Jaydev Unadkat also delivered a miserly four-over spell for just 13 runs, even though he went wicketless. SRH had finally found the bowling rhythm they had long searched for all season.

IPL 2025, SRH vs DC: Highlights

DC, meanwhile, found themselves in deep trouble at 62/6 after the dismissal of Vipraj Nigam in the 13th over. But a gritty rescue act from Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36) and impact sub Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26) helped them post a respectable 136.

Unfortunately for SRH, their batting unit never got a chance to chase it down as the rain refused to relent — bringing an end to their playoff dreams, despite their best showing with the ball this season.

DC’s opening conundrum backfires again

DC’s persistent opening woes continued as they fielded their sixth different combination of the season — this time with Karun Nair opening alongside Faf du Plessis, replacing Abhishek Porel who had taken the slot in their previous game. The move backfired immediately as Cummins dismissed Nair on the very first delivery, leaving the batter visibly dejected.

DC began the season with du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top. Nair had earlier filled in for du Plessis during his injury break, while Porel got promoted after Fraser-McGurk was dropped following a poor run of form. Even KL Rahul was briefly used as an opener — highlighting a clear lack of clarity in team planning.

In an era where powerplay dominance is crucial in T20s, DC’s failure to lock down a stable opening pair eventually proved costly. Against SRH, all three top-order batters — Nair, du Plessis (3), and Porel (8) — fell cheaply to Cummins.

The lack of a solid opening pair was further compounded by DC’s failure to name a replacement for Harry Brook, who withdrew before the season began. It left them juggling options without building any continuity or understanding among the top-order.

SRH bowlers turn up late to the party

While Sunrisers Hyderabad fans will not take many fond memories away from this season, the side picked a match too late to finally showcase their best bowling performance — the lack of which had been central to their struggles throughout IPL 2025.

With Mohammed Shami dropped following a disastrous season with the ball, skipper Pat Cummins took matters into his own hands. On the first delivery of each of his first three overs, Cummins dismissed Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, and Abhishek Porel — a stunning display of leadership with the new ball. The survival job for Delhi Capitals was left to their middle order, but the rest of the SRH bowling unit stepped up too. Jaydev Unadkat, Eshaan Malinga, Harshal Patel, and Zeeshan Ansari all made crucial contributions — with the latter three picking up one wicket apiece and Unadkat conceding just 13 runs in four overs.

This game will now serve as a reference point for the SRH management as they head into the next season — particularly when planning their auction strategy. Building a reliable bowling combination will be key to supporting their naturally aggressive batting approach.

Although SRH are now officially out of the playoff race, the outcome of the rain-affected clash has also complicated Delhi Capitals’ path to the top four. While DC did manage to sneak away with a point from a game that was rapidly slipping away, they now face a must-win situation in all of their remaining fixtures. The challenge ahead is stiff, with matches against Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans lined up on May 8, 11, and 15 respectively.