IPL: Rain drowns Sunrisers Hyderabad's playoff dreams in washout heartbreaker

Despite a fiery spell from Pat Cummins, who claimed 3 for 19, the weather had the final say - leaving the Sunrisers stranded outside the playoff zone.

After Hyderabad's bowlers turned in a dominant performance to restrict Delhi to a modest 133 for 7, the skies opened up just before the chase could begin. Nearly two hours later, with puddles still scattered across the outfield, officials had no choice but to call it off, awarding both teams a single point. Cummins and Delhi skipper Axar Patel shook hands, knowing one team had been dealt a crueller blow.

The no-result officially eliminated last year's runners-up from playoff contention, capping a season marred by inconsistency. Hyderabad now join Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals on the outside looking in.

For Delhi, however, the dream lives on. The Capitals, still chasing their elusive first IPL title, cling to fifth place and remain in the hunt for a coveted top-four finish.

Cummins' effort had sparked early drama, as he struck on the very first delivery of the match and went on to dismantle Delhi's top order. His victims included Karun Nair (out for a golden duck), Faf du Plessis (3), and Abishek Porel (8), leaving Delhi gasping at 62 for 6.

But a spirited 66-run stand between Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs gave the Capitals something to bowl at. Both batters scored gritty 41s, with Ashutosh showcasing explosive intent with three sixes and two fours in his 26-ball stay before falling in the final over. Stubbs added a late flourish, but their effort ultimately faded into irrelevance under the dark clouds.

This marks only the second rain-ruined fixture of the season, but for Hyderabad, it was the one that ended their journey.

The outcome was especially frustrating for head coach Daniel Vettori, who lamented how the team had finally begun to piece together a well-rounded performance - only for the rain to halt it.

"Obviously, it's disappointing. We came in with high hopes, but we haven't been consistent enough with our performances," Vettori said after the match. "I've spoken to you guys a number of times around just not being able to put complete performances together. Today was the start of a complete performance, so it's frustrating that we couldn't finish it - but that's cricket."

Vettori also highlighted another challenge - the conditions in Hyderabad this season. Pitches hadn't played as expected, complicating matters for the Sunrisers' batting unit, which has been heavily reliant on a few standout players.

"This is like the theme of the IPL - isn't it? - give us the wicket we want," Vettori joked. "But I think you have to be able to adjust to the conditions. We have said that all year, all IPL, and the best teams have done that. It's been built around the personnel who can control the middle overs."

He singled out players like Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, and Abhishek Sharma, noting their occasional brilliance but also how bowlers have adapted to them.

"(Heinrich) Klaasen has struck and struck alright. Ishan and Abhishek had those big hundreds, but bowlers also work out what they need to do against batters like that," he explained. "And I think the more exposure they've been getting, the more they have an idea of how to bowl to them. And I think being conditions-dependent, they (SRH batters) didn't make those adjustments as well."

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