SRH VS GT MATCH 66

Right then, it's an unfortunate end to this game being called off due to rain. With that one point, Hyderabad secure a playoff spot with one more game left to play. However, Pat Cummins and Co. no longer have the fate of a top-two finish in their hands. They need a win in their final game and hope that Rajasthan lose their game against Kolkata to seal a top-two finish. The excitement of the final week of the league stage continues with the next game coming to you from the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, 17th May. Mumbai will take on Lucknow in their final league stage match, set to commence at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As always, be sure to join in early for all the pre-match build-up! Until then, cheers and goodbye!

THERE IT IS FOLKS! THE MATCH HAS BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO RAIN. The two captains are now exchanging handshakes, bringing a formal conclusion to the proceedings. This game concludes on a sombre note as rain intervenes without even allowing the Toss. The outcome leaves both teams with a point each, resulting in Hyderabad becoming the third team to secure a playoff spot. Although Hyderabad would have preferred to face Gujarat here, a team low on confidence, to secure a full two points rather than settling for one shared point. This result also officially eliminates Delhi from playoff contention and makes equations very difficult for Lucknow. Gujarat's season ends on a disappointing note, with their last two games being washed out, potentially dampening their spirits to finish strongly. The other two teams in contention, Bengaluru and Chennai, will lock horns later in the week. A win for Chennai in that match will see them through to the playoffs. However, if Lucknow manage to win their game against Mumbai and Bengaluru triumph against Chennai, all three contenders will then be on 14 points and the NRR will come into play to determine the final playoff spot. It's shaping up to be an exciting finish to the league stage.

UPDATE - 10.01 pm IST (4.31 pm GMT) - The waiting game continues! The rain gods seem to be in no mood to show mercy, and it will be a real bummer if the game gets washed out. If no play is possible, as mentioned earlier, Hyderabad will secure their spot in the playoffs, while it will mark the end of playoff hopes for Delhi. Let's keep our fingers crossed and remain hopeful for a positive update.

UPDATE - 9.26 pm IST (3.56 pm GMT) - Regrettably, the situation remains unchanged at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with a persistent drizzle dampening hopes of immediate play. Keeping in mind the cut-off time for a 5-over game, the ground staff will need around 40 minutes to clear the water and ready the field. Despite the setbacks, we remain optimistic that the rain will relent soon. Stay tuned for more updates!

UPDATE - 8.50 pm IST (3.20 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, nothing much has changed since the last update as it continues to rain. The covers are firmly in place, and we have started losing overs from 8.35 pm IST (3.05 pm GMT). With the cut-off time for a 5-over contest being 10.56 pm IST (5.26 pm GMT), we still have a decent amount of time on our hands to get in a shortened game.

UPDATE - 8.20 pm IST (2.50 pm GMT) - This update brings unfortunate news as the rain persists, and the covers remain securely in place. With each passing moment, the likelihood of losing overs increases, especially after 8.35 pm IST (3.05 pm GMT). If the match is indeed washed out, Hyderabad will qualify for the playoffs. Stay tuned for further updates!

UPDATE - 7.46 pm IST (2.16 pm GMT) - Fantastic news! The news we have all been waiting for is here - TOSS to take place at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) with the first ball to be bowled at 8.15 pm IST (2.45 pm GMT). Scratch that, the rain seems to be back and so are the ground staff with the centre cover. The drizzle has just gotten heavier and with that, the Toss is now further delayed. Stick around for further updates!

UPDATE - 7.39 pm IST (2.09 pm GMT) - The stumps have been erected and the groundsmen are currently working on the strip. With the T20 World Cup approaching, it is extremely important that the outfield is bone dry to ensure the players' safety and minimize the risk of injuries. The two captains, Pat Cummins and Shubman Gill are still in their practice kits, indicating that we will have to wait a bit longer for the flip of the coin. Stay tuned for more news.

UPDATE - 7.17 pm IST (1.47 pm GMT) - The rain has gradually abated, and the covers are starting to come off. The centre cover has also been removed and the ground staff is also using supersoppers to clear any excess water, indicating that we may receive an update on the Toss shortly. Stick around for more updates!

UPDATE - 7.01 pm IST (1.31 pm GMT) - Uh oh! The live pictures show the ground staff bringing the covers on, and as a result, the TOSS has been delayed. However, it is not raining at the moment. This seems to be a precautionary measure from the ground staff in anticipation of the rain that might be just around the corner. We will keep you posted.

Unfortunately, after a brief halt, it seems to have started to drizzle again. The rain appears to have trailed Gujarat to this away game, mirroring the fate of their previous match against Kolkata, which was washed out. It would be particularly disheartening for the team to conclude the tournament with multiple rain-affected games, especially following such a challenging season.

In case you missed it, Gujarat will be showcasing their commitment to the fight against cancer by donning lavender jerseys. This initiative aims to spread awareness about preventive measures and the importance of early diagnosis in the battle against cancer. Originally, Gujarat had planned to wear these special jerseys during their last game against Kolkata in Ahmedabad, but the match was washed out due to rain. As a result, they have decided to wear the jerseys in this game against Hyderabad.

As for Gujarat, the 2022 winners and 2023 runners-up, this has been a far-from-ideal campaign for them. They have struggled to perform as a cohesive unit and will be aiming to end the season on a winning note. While Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have shown flashes of their potential, the rest of the batting unit has struggled to deliver consistently. With the ball, the experienced duo of Mohit Sharma and Rashid Khan has not lived up to expectations, but they will be eager to make amends and leave a mark in the final game of the season. Gujarat have not much to lose but have an opportunity to spoil Hyderabad's playoff party. Will they succeed in doing so? Stick around to find out.

Coming off a 7-day break, Hyderabad are best placed to secure one of the two remaining playoff spots and need just a point to get the coveted 'Q' next to their name. With 7 wins from 12 matches, Hyderabad are not only vying for a playoff berth but also have a strong chance for a top-two finish, especially given Rajasthan's recent dip in form. The biggest positive to come out of the thumping win in the last outing against Lucknow was the return to form for Abhishek Sharma, while his opening partner, Travis Head, has been a beacon of consistency throughout the season. On the bowling front, the collective effort of Pat Cummins, T Natarajan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been instrumental in Hyderabad's success.

Hello and a warm welcome, one and all, to our coverage of match number 66 of the 2024 Indian T20 League between Hyderabad and Gujarat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. With Kolkata and Rajasthan having already sealed their playoff berths, there are still five teams, even if mathematically, vying for the remaining two playoff spots, ensuring that the competition remains as fierce and exciting as ever in this edition of the Indian T20 League. For those wondering about the weather, yes, heavy rains did lash Hyderabad a few hours ago, but it has now reduced to a drizzle. Let's hope the outfield dries up quickly enough for us to get a prompt start to this clash.

... MATCH DAY ...

We are done with 65 games, and only five remain in the league stage of the 2024 Indian T20 League. Our focus shifts to match number 66 between Hyderabad and Gujarat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Although Gujarat may not have much to gain from this game, Hyderabad have their playoff qualification spot on the line. Among the five teams vying for the remaining two playoff spots, Hyderabad are best positioned, needing just a point to secure their qualification. Even if they lose both of their remaining games, they can still advance, provided other results go their way. Travis Head has plundered runs for fun throughout the competition, while Abhishek Sharma, his opening partner, returned to form with a blistering 75-run knock in Hyderabad's resounding chase against Lucknow. While the explosive opening duo has garnered most of the attention, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen have made vital contributions at different stages of the competition. With the ball, it has been Pat Cummin and T Natarajan who have done wonders for them, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a slow start to the season but has since swiftly come into his own. On the flip side, Gujarat have endured a season to forget, following their championship win in 2022 and a runner-up finish last season. Heading into their penultimate game against Kolkata, Gujarat had a slim chance of making the playoffs, but rain dashed their hopes. A significant issue for them has been their Powerplay batting, with Wriddhiman Saha struggling to make an impact. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have been the primary contributors, but the rest of the batting unit has faltered. Two key contributors to Gujarat's success over the past two seasons, Rashid Khan and Mohit Sharma, have performed below established expectations. Moreover, they have keenly felt the absence of their premier pacer, Mohammed Shami. Gujarat hold the edge over Hyderabad, winning the last three encounters between these two sides. Can Gujarat bow out on a high? Or will it be Hyderabad to get the two points and get the 'Q' next to their name? We shall find out.