Sunrisers Hyderabad’s slim hopes of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs were officially extinguished on Monday (May 5), as their clash against Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad was washed out due to rain. The no-result came as a bitter pill to swallow, especially after one of SRH’s most disciplined and clinical bowling performances this season.
Led by Pat Cummins, the SRH bowlers put on a show, restricting Delhi Capitals to a modest 133 for 7 in their 20 overs. With the momentum firmly in their favour, SRH looked set to chase down the total comfortably. However, just as they prepared to begin their innings, rain intervened — ultimately forcing the match to be abandoned and the points to be shared.
The outcome leaves Sunrisers with just seven points from 11 games. Even if they win their remaining matches, they can only accumulate a maximum of 13 points — not enough to break into the top four and qualify for the knockout stage. It’s a disappointing end for last year’s finalists, who showed glimpses of brilliance but couldn’t put together a consistent campaign in 2025.
Sunrisers Hyderabad entered IPL 2025 with high expectations. After an impressive run to the finals last season and a thunderous batting display in their tournament opener this year, many had tipped the Pat Cummins-led side as serious title contenders. However, as the season unfolded, inconsistency across all departments derailed their campaign.
On Monday (May 5), SRH finally produced a near-flawless bowling and fielding performance against Delhi Capitals — but it came a little too late. The match in Hyderabad was ultimately abandoned due to rain after SRH restricted DC to just 133 for 7. With no opportunity to chase the target, the teams shared points, confirming SRH’s elimination from playoff contention.
Head coach Daniel Vettori praised the team’s effort, calling it their best performance of the season in the field.
“It was a really good performance, probably our best bowling and fielding performance of the tournament so far,” Vettori said post-match. “It’s something we’ve really talked long and hard about in training and meetings. So to come out there and start so well — it was very encouraging.”
Despite the positivity, Vettori acknowledged the underlying disappointment.
“Obviously it’s disappointing. We came into the season with high hopes, but we just haven’t been consistent enough. We haven’t been able to put complete performances together. Today was the start of one, so it’s frustrating we couldn’t finish it — but that’s cricket.”
What added to the sting was the context — the 133-run total was notably low for a venue known for high scores in recent seasons. SRH’s aggressive batting approach, which had been a major strength last year, didn’t deliver the same results in 2025. Reflecting on that, Vettori emphasized that while their ultra-attacking mindset had reaped rewards before, this season exposed the risks of that strategy.
“It’s been a season of learning,” Vettori noted. “Our batters are naturally aggressive, and while that gave us great success last year, this time around it didn’t click the same way.”
With their playoff hopes dashed, SRH now looks to finish the season on a high — and take lessons forward into the next campaign.
As Sunrisers Hyderabad reflect on a season filled with highs and lows, head coach Daniel Vettori pointed to shifting pitch conditions as a key factor in the team’s inconsistent performances. In contrast to last year’s high-scoring games at home, the 2025 surfaces have proved trickier for batters — something SRH’s aggressive lineup had to grapple with throughout the campaign.
“We’re all about assessing conditions, and I think this year, they weren’t quite what we expected,” Vettori explained. “Last season saw a number of big scores here, but the pitches have played differently this time. It’s been challenging, especially for our batters. We’ve really focused on reading the game, understanding the conditions, and adapting our approach accordingly.”
He acknowledged the natural attacking instincts of SRH’s batting unit, but stressed that this season demanded a more measured response — one that took game situations into account rather than relying purely on aggressive play.
“The guys are innately aggressive, but this year has been about learning to assess what’s required on the day.”
On the bowling front, Vettori reserved special praise for skipper Pat Cummins, who delivered a standout performance against Delhi Capitals. Given the new ball for a change, Cummins made an immediate impact, tearing through DC’s top order to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 19.
“Pat’s a tremendous new-ball bowler. Normally, he plays more of a ‘Mr. Fix-It’ role for us — someone we can rely on at any phase of the innings, whether it’s the powerplay, middle overs, or death. But tonight, he took the new ball and really attacked, and he was fantastic,” Vettori said.
While the result of the match was ultimately nullified due to rain, SRH’s performance — particularly with the ball — was a reminder of what the team is capable of when everything clicks. With playoff hopes gone, the focus now shifts to finishing strong and building momentum for the seasons ahead.
Continuing his praise for Pat Cummins, head coach Daniel Vettori highlighted the Australian pacer’s adaptability and leadership as crucial assets for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Whether operating in the powerplay, middle overs, or at the death, Cummins has shouldered multiple responsibilities with consistency — and delivered whenever called upon.
“If you look at his overall performance, he’s consistently been a wicket-taker and has adapted brilliantly to various roles based on the team’s needs,” Vettori noted. “He’s mixed it up depending on who’s playing in the XI, which speaks volumes about his value and versatility.”
Monday’s match marked the first time Cummins opened the bowling for SRH this season — and he immediately made an impact. His spell, showcasing pace, control, and sharp movement, reminded many of his dominance in Test cricket.
“Today was the first time he took the new ball and the first over — and you could immediately see why he’s such a force in Test matches. It was really pleasing to watch him lead from the front, both with the ball and as captain.”
Vettori added that Cummins’ form and leadership would be pivotal as SRH look to finish the season strongly.
“Hopefully that performance carries through into the last three games. He’s set the tone — now it’s about sustaining that momentum.”