The Indian Premier League matches are often full of hype, entertainment and drama, however, some of these matches are less talked about but extremely entertaining. One of them is Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although both the teams have had their ups and downs in different seasons, whenever these two teams face each other on the field, the match usually gives some memorable moments to the fans. In this blog, let us look at the Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline.
Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Head-to-Head record overview:
| Category | Rajasthan Royals stats | Sunrisers Hyderabad Stats |
| Total Matches Played | 21 | 21 |
| Total Wins | 9 | 12 |
| Matches Lost | 12 | 9 |
| Match Tied | 0 | 0 |
| Highest Team Score | 242 | 286 |
| Lowest Team Score | 102 | 127 |
| Playoff Wins | 2 | 1 |
| Top Batsman | Jos Buttler/ Sanju Samaon | David Warner/ Heinrich Klassen |
| Best Bowling Figures | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bhuvaneshwar Kumar |
Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline
Now, we will discuss the timeline of the rivalries between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
2013: Beginning of the Rivalry
Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the IPL in 2013 replacing Deccan Chargers.
- That year, their first match was against Rajasthan Royals on April 17, 2013 in Jaipur. RR won the toss and opted to bowl first, then SRH batted and scored 144 runs for 9 wickets. In reply Rajasthan Royals chased down the score easily and won the match by 8 wickets in which Shane Watson’s inning played a key role.
- Their second encounter was held in Hyderabad. SRH gave RR a target of 136 runs however RR could not achieve this target and lost by 23 runs.
Both teams also qualified for the playoffs. In the Eliminator, RR came out on top, chasing 133 and winning the match by 4 wickets.
2014-2015: Balanced Battles
In the IPL season 2014, these teams met just once in which RR won the match by 4 wickets.
- In the first league match of 2015 between RR and SRH, RR won the match by chasing the score easily.
- However, in the second match SRH beat RR by 7 wickets.
Overall, both teams won one match each.
2016-2017: RR Suspended
From 2016 to 2017, Rajasthan Royals were suspended from the IPL due to the spot fixing scandal. However, SRH continued to play and even won the IPL trophy in 2016.
2018: RR Returns, SRH Dominates
In 2018, RR returned to the IPL which gave excitement to their fans. However, SRH proved to be a stronger team that season.
- In their first match of that season, SRH bowled first and then chased the score with ease and won the game by 9 wickets.
- Also, in their second league match of that season they again beat RR by 11 runs.
2019: Mixed Results
The 2019 IPL had two exciting matches that fans really enjoyed.
- In the first league match of that season, RR scored a big score of 198 runs in which Sanju Samson played a massive century. However, SRH chased this score by David Warner and Jonny Bairstow’s innings and secured the win by 5 wickets.
- However, in the second league match, RR came back strongly and won by 7 wickets by chasing the score of 160.
2020: Rajasthan’s Stunning Chase
The 2020 season, played in the UAE due to the pandemic, had one of the best RR vs SRH matches.
In the match on October 11, 2020 held in Dubai, SRH posted 158. At one point, RR were struggling in the chase. But Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag played really well and formed a stunning partnership which helped RR to win with just one ball left.
This match is still remembered as one of RR’s most incredible comebacks.
2021: SRH’s Poor Run
SRH had a disappointing 2021 season and it showed in their performance against RR.
- RR scored 220 runs, with Jos Buttler playing a big inning of 124. SRH never got going and lost the match by 55 runs.
Buttler’s century was the highlight, and RR dominated this match completely.
2022: RR’s Strong Run
RR were one of the top teams in 2022 finishing the season as runner-up. Their match against SRH was one-sided.
RR scored 210 but SRH did not chase it and lost the match by 61 runs.
2023: A thriller and a Heart Break
This season saw one of the most thrilling finishes in IPL history between these two sides.
- Their first Match on April 2, 2023 in Hyderabad in which RR crushed SRH with a huge win. RR scored 203, and then their bowlers restricted SRH to just 131. Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 4 wickets.
- Then in their Second Match held in Jaipur which was one of the most dramatic games in which RR posted 214. SRH needed 17 in the last over. Abdul Samad hit a six off the final ball (after a no-ball drama) and SRH won the game by 4 wickets.
This match was a true nail-biter, and fans called it one of the games of the season.
2024: Another Nail-Biter in Playoffs
In the IPL 2024 season, both teams again produced a thriller in the Qualifier 2.
- Qualifier 2: RR and SRH met with a place in the final at stake. SRH batted first and scored 175 runs after losing 9 wickets in which Heinrich Klaasen made a half century. RR started strong but kept losing wickets one after another. In the end, SRH bowled really well and won the match by 36 runs.
SRH qualified for the final, breaking RR fans’ hearts once again.
2025: Most Recent Matches
In the recent season of IPL,
- RR vs SRH face off in Hyderabad in which SRH batted first and scored 192/6. Travis Head and Aiden Markram batted well and scored important runs. RR gave a solid fight with Samson and Jurel scoring well, but fell short by 12 runs. SRH won by 12 runs.
- Again faceoff in Jaipur where RR won the toss and batted first. They made 178/5. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 70. SRH could not handle RR’s bowling and were all out for 151. RR won the match by 27 runs
- They both face off in Eliminator in which SRH scored 168/8. RR chased it in the final over with Dhruv Jurel hitting the winning runs and won by 4 wickets.
Why does the RR vs SRH Rivalry matter?
Even though RR vs SRH doesn’t always get much attention as the blockbuster rivalries, fans know that when these two teams faced off, the high quality drama surely happened. Over the years, the face off between these two teams has;
- Dramatic last over finishes
- Big playoff showdown
- Comeback wins
- Emotional turnarounds
- Massive innings
Both teams are full of young talented players which gives the match a fresh feel every season.
Final Words
The rivalry between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad may not be the most publicised in the IPL, but it does have its share of thrilling finishes, spectacular performances and emotional ups and downs. Both teams have seen highs and lows and have played a vital role in shaping each other’s journey across various IPL seasons. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more of a fierce contest between these two exciting teams.
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