SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) are on the brink of elimination after suffering a crucial 38-run defeat to Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday night. With just four league matches remaining, SRH’s path to the IPL 2025 playoffs is now razor-thin and entirely dependent on a series of favorable outcomes across the tournament.
Currently placed ninth on the points table, SRH have managed only six points from 10 matches and hold a concerning net run-rate (NRR) of -1.192. The maximum they can now accumulate is 14 points — which is the current tally of other mid-table competitors like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT). Despite the narrow window, a playoff berth is still mathematically possible.
What SRH Needs to Do to Qualify
To keep their playoff hopes alive, SRH must meet a combination of strict criteria:
- Win All Remaining Matches
SRH must win all four of their remaining games — no exceptions. Even a single loss would effectively end their campaign. Moreover, the victories must be comprehensive to drastically improve their net run-rate, which currently puts them at a disadvantage even among teams with similar points. - Improve Their Net Run Rate (NRR)
With a negative NRR of -1.192, SRH are trailing behind most teams. They will need big-margin wins to bring their NRR up — particularly against stronger opponents — to have a realistic shot in case of points-tie scenarios. - Hope for Other Teams to Stumble
SRH’s qualification will heavily rely on how other mid-table teams perform:
- Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and potentially Lucknow Super Giants will need to lose at least two of their remaining matches, keeping them either tied on points or below SRH.
- Punjab Kings, currently on 13 points after their washed-out match with KKR, must not secure more than one win in their final fixtures.
- Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and potentially Lucknow Super Giants will need to lose at least two of their remaining matches, keeping them either tied on points or below SRH.
- Avoid Washed-Out Games
With monsoon conditions impacting some venues, any abandoned or rain-curtailed matches could prove fatal for SRH. They need all games to be completed to accumulate maximum points and boost their NRR.
SRH’s Remaining Fixtures
Pat Cummins and his squad will face high-pressure games in their final stretch. Their opponents include:
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) – A top-table team, offering a chance for a high-impact win.
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – Unpredictable but beatable.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Always a tough contest.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Another playoff contender.
Each of these matches is virtually a knockout for SRH, not only in terms of points but also the morale and rhythm of the squad.
Pat Cummins Takes Responsibility
In the post-match presentation, SRH captain Pat Cummins candidly acknowledged his role in the loss and took accountability for his performance, particularly with the ball during the powerplay.
“Our powerplay with the bat wasn’t great. I was as guilty as anyone. Probably let them get 20-30 extra runs. Maybe hang on to one or two catches — again, I’m guilty there,” said Cummins.
He praised the opposition for their smart cricket and acknowledged that SRH’s bowlers conceded too many “bad balls” that were duly punished.
“They are class batters. They don’t do anything outlandish. If you bowl bad balls, they just put them away,” Cummins admitted. He also expressed hope, noting, “We can cling to some hope… the core of the group is strong and will stay for the next three years. There’s still a lot to play for.”
What Lies Ahead for SRH
While the path to playoffs is steep, hope is not entirely lost. The IPL is known for dramatic turnarounds and last-minute surprises. If SRH can bring out their best performances in the coming weeks and other teams falter at the right time, the door to the top four could still swing open.
For now, fans will watch closely — with crossed fingers — as SRH prepares for what could be a defining moment in their 2025 IPL campaign.
