On Monday, May 5, Sunrisers Hyderabad faced off against Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in what was a crucial match for both teams in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. With Sunrisers currently sitting ninth on the table, having won only three out of their ten matches, this game was a do-or-die situation for the Men in Orange. The stakes were high, as a loss would effectively eliminate their chances of playoff qualification.
Before the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad made significant changes to their playing XI, dropping Mohammed Shami and Nitish Kumar Reddy, while bringing in the experienced Sachin Baby. This marked a significant moment for Baby, who returned to the IPL after a lengthy absence of 1323 days—almost four years—having last played in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Interestingly, Sachin Baby's return was notable not just for his absence but also for the context of his career. He had a stellar domestic season, scoring a century to help Kollam Sailors clinch the Kerala Cricket League T20 title and leading Team Kerala to the finals of the Ranji Trophy, where they finished as runners-up to Vidarbha. His impressive form in domestic cricket included a remarkable 98 runs in the final match held in Nagpur.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals also made significant adjustments to their squad, including debuting T Natarajan, who had previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2020 to 2024. The Capitals, having lost three of their last four games, were desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to chase, asking Delhi to bat first.
Delhi Capitals managed to post a modest total of 133 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, thanks to late contributions from Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma, both scoring 41 runs. However, as the match progressed, rain became a significant factor. Just as Sunrisers were gearing up to start their innings, the heavens opened up, leading to the match being abandoned.
The abandonment of the match was a bitter pill to swallow for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who, as losing finalists from the previous season, now find themselves in a precarious position with just 7 points from 11 matches. They have now joined Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the lower half of the points table, effectively knocked out of the playoff race.
For Sachin Baby, the rain was particularly disappointing as he was eager to showcase his skills in the IPL after such a long hiatus. His previous experiences in the league included stints with Rajasthan Royals in 2013 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he managed a top score of 33 in 2016. Fans were hopeful to see him make an impact, especially after his strong performance in warm-up matches where he scored 49 runs off just 23 balls.
As the IPL season progresses, this match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cricket and the impact of external factors like weather on the game. For both teams, the season has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs, but for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the dream of playoff cricket has come to an end, while Delhi Capitals will look to regroup and find their form in the remaining matches.
