Rain Rain go away, come again another day!.. Have you ever heard of this rhyme? Probably the Sunrisers Hyderabad were singing this rhyme as prayers yesterday. A rain-soaked night at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium brought heartbreak for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and a ray of hope for Delhi Capitals (DC). In a low-scoring contest that promised high drama, the final result was decided not by the ball, or the bat, or the fielding unit, or the umpires!. The skies,.. Skies decided the final result.
The match ended with no result, which created a sad exit for SRH and saved DC from losing 2 points in Tata IPL 2025 playoff race. While SRH bowled brilliantly to stop DC to just 133 for 7, continuous rain after the first innings meant that not a single ball could be bowled in the second half. As a result, both teams were awarded one point each.
For SRH, that point wasn’t enough. Their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2025 playoffs are officially over. For DC, however, that single point could be gold dust as they now sit with 13 points from 11 games, still within striking distance of the top four.
Let’s break down the action from the first innings, the playoff implications, and what this result means for the road ahead.
When Pat Cummins Attacked, and the Clouds Fought Back
If the rain hadn’t washed out the game, the star of the night would undoubtedly have been Pat Cummins. The SRH skipper delivered a turbo performance, fast, fierce, and packed with twists. With the pitch offering variable bounce and grip, Cummins decided to bowl himself, a move that paid off immediately.
He struck on the very first ball of the match, removing Karun Nair with a sharp delivery. From there, it was classic Cummins, hammering a hard length, and putting batters under pressure. The ball was in support of the Sunrisers and the DC top-order had no answers.
Ishan Kishan, stepping in as wicketkeeper for this game in place of Heinrich Klaasen, took three catches off Cummins’ bowling. Notably, making history as the first keeper to catch all of the top four batters in an IPL innings.
DC’s Top Order Falls Like a House of Cards-29 for 5
Delhi Capitals, sent in to bat, found themselves struggling at 29 for 5 in the eighth over. By the time Cummins had delivered 19 strong balls, 3 wickets were taken. While Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat joined the party, exploiting the tricky surface expertly. On most IPL pitches, KL Rahul’s attempted cover drive might have gone for four. But on this surface, Unadkat’s ball changed the script of Rahul, a prime example of how difficult batting was.
At that point, it looked like DC wouldn’t even cross the 100-run mark. But what followed was a slight save act from Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma, the latter brought in as an Impact Player.
Stubbs and Ashutosh Steady the Ship
Stubbs, known for his composure under pressure, took his time. He built a steady sixth-wicket stand with Vipraj Nigam, but a mix-up resulted in Nigam’s run-out, leaving DC further rattled. But Ashutosh Sharma, the aggressive middle-order batter, changed the mood.
The pair added a much needed 66-run, steering DC to a defendable total. Ashutosh smashed 41 off 26 balls, including three mighty sixes. Stubbs stayed unbeaten on 41 off 36, playing the lead role DC desperately needed.
Their partnership in the final six overs, showcasing how valuable finishing skills are in low-scoring games. Though the score was modest, on a slow, two-paced pitch, it was very much a total that could be defended.
Rain Plays Better Game
Just as SRH prepared to begin their chase, the rain came pouring down. The downpour was heavy enough to delay the match significantly, and despite relentless work by the ground staff, the outfield was deemed too wet to resume play. By the cut-off time for a five-over chase (11:42 PM IST) arrived, the game was officially abandoned.
For SRH, the outcome was devastating. With only three games left and a maximum possible total of 13 points, they can no longer make the top four, as four teams have already crossed that mark.
Still Breathing: DC’s Hopes
For Delhi Capitals, this single point is actually very helpful. They now have 13 points from 11 matches, and are at 5th place right below the playoff entry. With three matches left, DC will aim to push their score to 17 or 19, which could be enough depending on how the net run rate shapes up.
Their bowling team has sometimes been on and off, but their use of Impact Players, like Ashutosh, continues to be smart and tactical. If the rain hadn’t interfered, this match might’ve gone SRH’s way, but in the world of Spinmatch IPL prediction, the weather is always the wild card.
Spinmatch summarises that:
- Cummins’ performance was like thunder, but the rain ended his dreams.
- DC’s reliance on their lower order nearly saved the day, even before the rain.
- SRH’s playoff hopes drowned in the rain.
Do you want to have a Spinmatch fantasy tip while you choose your favourites for your online gaming? Then here you go:
Watch out for Ashutosh in DC’s final games. He’s a game-changer.
DC’s Playoff Math Begins Now
SRH will now play for pride, while DC’s last three league games will be virtual knockouts. As the playoff race tightens, every run, wicket, and even the weather forecast matters. Therefore, stay tuned to Spinmatch IPL Updates for daily match insights, Spinmatch Cricket Fantasy tips, and expert predictions that help you play smarter and win bigger.
