SRH vs GT Match Abandoned Due to Rain
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured their place in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs after their match against Gujarat Titans (GT) was washed out at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday. The playing area was extensively covered in blue tarps, with tyres marking partition areas and soggy patches forming in the uncovered outfield. Despite the ground staff’s relentless efforts with super soppers, the persistent rain and wet conditions rendered the field unplayable.
Delays and Final Abandonment
Initially, the toss was delayed from its scheduled time of 7 PM due to rain and a wet outfield. The situation worsened as the rain intensified, pushing the toss to 8 PM and the match start to 8:15 PM. However, rain resumed just eight minutes before the toss, forcing the covers back on. The continued downpour made it evident that the match would be unlikely to proceed. The cut-off time for a five-over game was 10:56 PM, requiring the rain to stop by 10:15 PM for a quick mop-up. With the rain persisting, the match was officially abandoned at 10:11 PM after consultations between the on-field umpires and ground staff.
Impact on Points Table and Playoff Scenarios
The match abandonment allowed SRH to climb to third place on the IPL 2024 points table with 15 points from 13 matches. A win in their final match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), who are already eliminated, could secure SRH a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1, provided Rajasthan Royals (RR) do not win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their last game. For GT, the abandonment confirmed their exit from the playoff race, finishing with just 12 points from 14 matches. Last year’s runners-up and 2022 champions faced the rare misfortune of consecutive matches being abandoned without a single ball bowled.
Battle for the Last Playoff Spot
The contest for the last playoff spot remains fierce, with four teams still in contention: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with 14 points, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with 12 points, Delhi Capitals (DC) with 14 points, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with 12 points.
LSG vs. Mumbai Indians
If LSG win their match against Mumbai Indians on Friday, they will move to 14 points, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
CSK vs. RCB
CSK can secure their playoff spot by defeating RCB or if their game is washed out on Saturday.
RCB’s Qualification Scenario
RCB need to beat CSK by at least 18 runs or with 11 balls to spare to qualify based on net run rate. This would place them at 14 points, matching DC, CSK, and LSG (if they win).
The race for the final playoff spot is intense, with multiple scenarios still possible.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)