SRH clinch 2nd spot in the final IPL 2024 points table

On a topsy-turvy final day of the IPL 2024 league stage, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) struck gold by finishing in the second spot on the points table. SRH had to win their final league stage outing against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the afternoon encounter on May 18. They then needed Rajasthan Royals (RR) to not bag two points in the night match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

The Orange Army produced a dominant batting performance against PBKS to chase down a massive 215 with four wickets and five balls to spare. That helped them finish on 17 points with a net run-rate of +0.414 in 14 games.

However, with 16 points and a net run-rate of +0.273, RR had an opportunity to overtake SRH for second with a win against KKR. Yet, the weather gods played spoilsport on Sanju Samson's unit as the match was abandoned due to incessant rain.

In the end, RR ended on 17 points, the same as Hyderabad, but with a lower net run rate than them. Noteworthy is the massive difference between finishing in the top two of the points table. Those two sides will get two cracks to win one game to advance to the final.

Meanwhile, the sides qualifying for the playoffs at 3rd and 4th will have to win two consecutive matches without a loss to make it to the summit clash.

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"We have played great cricket and had some fun" - Pat Cummins on SRH's IPL 2024 campaign

SRH skipper Pat Cummins was delighted by the team's performances in the league stage, winning 8 out of 14 games, with one no-result. After finishing at the bottom of the table last season, Cummins replaced Aiden Markram at the helm ahead of IPL 2024.

Following their win against PBKS in the league-stage finale, Cummins said at the post-match presentation:

"It's pretty cool, it's awesome. We have won 6 out of 7 here, it has been great and amazing. I didn't know many guys coming into this season, but we have played great cricket and had some fun. Great bunch of guys. Really satisfying and exciting. I haven't played in finals before. Playing some really good cricket, excited for what's ahead."

The turn of events on the final day of the league stage means SRH will take on KKR in Qualifier 1 at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21. Meanwhile, RR will take on RCB in the Eliminator at the same venue on the following day.