If previous editions of the IPL are a guide to qualification for the knockout phase of the tournament, then the Sunrisers now find themselves within one win of securing a top four position. In a normal season with eight sides contesting the competition, 16 points secures a semi-final spot, and the Sunrisers have already accumulated 14 points from the 10 qualifying fixtures that they have played.
Not only would a win against the Daredevils on Thursday take them to 16 points and an almost certain place in the knockout stages, but would also allow them to take a huge step towards clinching a top two finish in the qualifying table.
The reward for ending the qualifying stage in such an elevated position, is to play in the first eliminator, and the chance to win direct entry to the Grand Final. The loser of the eliminator is given a second chance to qualify, by being pitched against the winner of the qualifier.
Delhi are also very much in the running for a top four finish, but are under pressure from the reigning Champions the Mumbai Indians who are level on 10 points but have played a fixture more, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) who have claimed successive victories to move to eight points from nine games, the same number played as Delhi.
With Mumbai and RCB meeting each other on Wednesday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore the pressure, whatever the outcome of Wednesday match, will increase hugely on Delhi to secure victory in Hyderabad.
Thursday will be the first meeting of 2016 between the Sunrisers and the Daredevils, who will meet again in match number 52, which will be the penultimate fixture of the 2016 regular season for both sides.