Sunrisers Hyderabad to take on Punjab Kings as they look to grab the second spot in IPL points table

• Sunrisers Hyderabad will play against Punjab Kings in their final league stage match.
• Sunrisers has the chance to take the second spot if it wins against Punjab in its last match.
• Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are set to play the final league stage match of IPL 2024 on May 19.

After making their first playoffs in three years, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will now aim for a second-place finish in the IPL points table when they take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their final league game on Sunday in Hyderabad.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had finished in the bottom rung in each of the last three editions of the IPL, came out all guns blazing this year to establish themselves as firm contenders for the title with their ultra-aggressive batting approach and skilful bowling.

The Pat Cummins-led side made it to the final four after their clash against Gujarat Titans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was washed out due to rain.

SRH is currently at the third spot with 15 points from 13 matches, SRH can reach a maximum of 17 points if they get the better of PBKS on Sunday.

However, if the struggling Rajasthan Royals manage to beat table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in the last league match, the Sanju Samson-led side will overtake SRH to take the second spot with 18 points.

The third-placed Sunrisers have been somewhat unlucky in their last six outings, winning just two while three matches ended in defeats and one match was a washout.

However, in their last completed contest, SRH had pulverised Lucknow Super Giants by 10 wickets with their explosive opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma delivering the goods.

With 533 runs in 11 matches and the best strike rate of 201.89 among batters, Head is in pursuit of the Orange Cap with only Virat Kohli (661 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (583 runs) ahead of him.

SRH will be keen to address the batting concerns as wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has lacked consistency in the last few games, though Nitish Kumar Reddy has picked up well in the same period.

For PBKS, it will be an opportunity to bow out on a high after failing to make it to the final four again. PBKS have lost the services of their England players, including stand-in skipper Sam Curran, who had played a decisive role in their five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.

With Curran returning home for national duty, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will lead the Punjab Kings in their final match of the season. It could be an opportunity for Jitesh to make an impression on the franchises, who are set for a mega auction before next year's IPL.

The match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings will start at 3:30 PM on Sunday, May 19 at Hyderabad. The final league stage match of IPL 2024 is scheduled at 7:30 PM on the same day, as the table toppers Kolkata Knight Riders take on Rajasthan Royals.

At 7:30 PM today, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings will compete with each other as they look to book the final spot for the playoffs.

If SRH finishes third, they will face either Chennai Super Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator.

With inputs from agencies.

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