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Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat - (Source: AFP)
On Tuesday, May 12, the Gujarat Titans put a foot in the IPL 2026 playoffs after their comprehensive win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Pat Cummins-led side had a night to forget as the Men in Orange tumbled for their lowest total in IPL history.
Before the start of the match, both teams had a chance to go on top of the table, but SRH failed to match the intensity of the Gujarat Titans and suffered a massive dent to their qualification chances with a 82-run defeat.
SRH Suffer Embarrassing Defeat Against Gujarat Titans
It was a one-sided affair at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Gujarat Titans, batting first, got off to a slow start but the Shubman Gill-led side rode on Sai Sudharsan's fifty and put 168 runs on the board.
In reply, Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj rattled the SRH top-order. A collective effort from all bowlers restricted SRH to just 86 runs, which is their lowest total in the history of IPL.
Now, the heavy defeat has dented SRH's net-run rate a lot and the fans are worried about the playoffs as SRH is still 3rd on the table with 14 points.
How Can SRH Qualify For IPL 2026 Playoffs?
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, they have 14 points in 12 matches. The Men in Orange have just 2 matches left, but they shouldn't worry much.
What if SRH win rest of their remaining matches?
If SRH win their remaining two matches, they will finish the group-stage with 18 points. In that scenario, the Pat Cummins-led side don't need to rely on other teams and might even finish in top-2.
What if SRH win only one of their remaining matches?
If SRH win only one of their remaining matches, then they will finish with 16 points. In that case, they need to pray that Punjab Kings, CSK, and RR, who are still in contention to reach 16 points, should lose two of their remaining three matches.
In that case, SRH can finish at No.3 with 16 points or at 4th in worst case scenario.
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What if SRH lose both of their remaining matches?
In case, SRH lose both of their remaining matches, then they finish the group-stage with 14 points. In that scenario, SRH need to rely on other teams' results.
Notably, with 14 points, they will have a tough chance and can only finish on fourth in the table. For that, Chennai Super Kings should lose their remaining 2 of the three matches. Further, RR should at max, win only one match.
Then, with three teams same on points, all will go down to net run-rate and SRH should pray that they have that better than CSK or RR.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL 2026 Season So Far
Overall, it has been a brilliant season for SRH. The Men in Orange started the tournament without Pat Cummins as Ishan Kishan led the side. Notably, the 2016 winners registered just a solitary win in first four matches.
The team found their footing in the mid season and won five straight matches to sit comfortably in top four of the points-table.
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