Having entered the season as one of the title favourites, failure on all fronts has reduced Sunrisers Hyderabad to an also-ran in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
While some convoluted mathematics keep the side in contention for the playoffs, Sunrisers have long lost control over their destiny coming into the clash with Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.
When these two teams met in Visakhapatnam at the end of March, Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc.
Sunrisers were four wickets down inside the PowerPlay and were staring at an embarrassingly low score until Aniket Verma announced his arrival with an exquisite knock (74, 41b, 5×4, 6×6), which, in the end, went in vain.
SRH breached the 200-run mark six times last season, but this time, it has done so just twice (vs Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings). Its 300-run ambitions have been reduced to dust.
With a bowling unit that has largely lacked zing, the team has folded without much of a fight more often than not.
Capitals, too, have seen their form stutter in recent weeks.
Having won their first four matches and topping the table then, they have won just two of the last six games, one via a Super Over. They will naturally look to regain rhythm heading into the season’s business end.
Axar Patel has seemingly recovered from the injury he picked up against the Kolkata Knight Riders a few days ago.
His return to full fitness will boost the side heading into this must-win contest.