IPL 2024: SunRisers join KKR and RR in playoffs after rain washes out Hyderabad game

SunRisers became the third team after Kolkata and Rajasthan to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. The 2016 champions confirmed their berth in the top four after their penultimate league game of the season against Gujarat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was washed out due to rain on Thursday, May 16.

This is the first time since the 2020 season that SunRisers reached the playoffs. The former champions had a lean run in the recent past, finishing 8th, 8th and 10th in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Pat Cummins, who has been on a title-winning spree after the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup triumph, has been credited for their turnaround and the fearless brand of cricket that they have played in IPL 2024.

While the toss was delayed due to a steady downpour in the lead-up



to the game, a steady drizzle made sure the covers stayed on the pitch. Captains Pat Cummins and Shubman Gill inspected the pitch multiple times, but they never got out of their training kits. Despite the rain, there was a healthy crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to cheer for the home side. The fans were entertained by a light show and music as they celebrated SRH's progress to the playoffs.

SunRisers took their tally to 15 points from 13 games after the washout in Hyderabad. Pat Cummins's men, who face Punjab on May 19 at home, have an opportunity to finish in the top two and play Qualifier 1 against table-toppers KKR. SunRisers' qualification also ended the playoffs hopes of Delhi and Lucknow and added spice to the much-anticipated clash between RCB and CSK in Bengaluru on Saturday -- which is now a virtual knockout.