Sunrisers joined Kolkata and Rajasthan in securing a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs, marking their return to the postseason after their last appearance in 2020. Their qualification came about after their crucial league game against Gujarat was called off due to rain at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 16.
Following a period of underwhelming performances, including finishes of 8th, 8th, and 10th in the past three seasons, Sunrisers' resurgence can be attributed to the leadership of Pat Cummins. The team's fearless brand of cricket in IPL 2024 has been instrumental in their success.
Despite the weather delaying the toss and subsequent inspections by captains Pat Cummins and Shubman Gill, the match never commenced due to persistent rain. Nonetheless, the loyal fans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium showed their support for Sunrisers amidst the downpour, enjoying a light show and music as they celebrated their team's playoff qualification.
With 15 points from 13 matches, Sunrisers have a chance to finish in the top two by defeating Punjab at home on May 19, which would set them up for Qualifier 1 against table-toppers KKR. Their qualification also dashed the playoff hopes of Delhi and Lucknow, intensifying the stakes for the upcoming clash between RCB and CSK in Bengaluru, now a virtual knockout showdown.
Gujarat's journey in IPL 2024 ends
Meanwhile, Gujarat's season concluded on a disappointing note as their final two matches were abandoned due to rain. The last encounter at their home ground in Ahmedabad against KKR suffered the same fate, adding to their woes. Despite flashes of brilliance, the team struggled for consistency under new captain Shubman Gill, failing to replicate the success of their title-winning campaign in 2022 and runner-up finish in 2023.
Conversely, Sunrisers emerged as a dominant force in IPL 2024, amassing formidable totals including record-breaking scores of 287 and 277. Travis Head, with 533 runs in 11 matches, and Abhishek Sharma, with 401 runs in 11 matches, have been pivotal to their success, instilling fear in opposition bowlers with their aggressive batting.
Moreover, Sunrisers' bowling lineup, spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Pat Cummins, and T Natarajan, has hit its stride at the crucial juncture of the season, particularly excelling in the death overs.
As Sunrisers aim to secure the second spot in the standings, they are banking on a victory in their final league match. Additionally, their hopes are pinned on Rajasthan's defeat in their last game against KKR in Guwahati. Should Rajasthan triumph, they will clinch the second position, intensifying the race for playoff spots.
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