Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League carry as much narrative tension as the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline. From SRH’s explosive arrival in 2013 to RR’s dramatic return from a two-year suspension, every chapter of this contest has delivered thrillers, upsets, and record-shattering performances. If you have ever searched for the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline in one place, this is your definitive guide.
In this article, we trace every significant encounter between these two franchises—from the early David Warner-led SRH dominance to the modern era of Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. We cover the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline season by season, provide a complete head-to-head statistics table, highlight individual records, and update everything through the IPL 2026 season. Whether you are a fantasy cricket enthusiast, a stats nerd, or a casual fan catching up on IPL history, this guide has you covered.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline:
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline begins with two very different origin stories. Rajasthan Royals were one of the eight founding franchises of the IPL in 2008, famously winning the inaugural title under Shane Warne’s captaincy on a shoestring budget. They became the symbol of smart, underdog cricket.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, entered the league in 2013 after the BCCI terminated the Deccan Chargers franchise. Owned by the SUN Group, SRH inherited a passionate Hyderabad fanbase and quickly built an identity around aggressive batting and world-class spin bowling.
This rivalry matters because it pits two philosophies against each other: RR’s youth-first, data-driven approach versus SRH’s power-hitting, star-studded strategy. Over 14 seasons of encounters (excluding the two suspension years), the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline has produced some of the IPL’s most memorable finishes.
Early Era (2013–2015): The Foundation Years
The first chapter of the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline opened on April 1, 2013, when SRH played their maiden IPL season. Their first meeting against RR came on April 27, 2013, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. SRH chased down a modest target with David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan setting the tone.
In 2014, the rivalry intensified. RR, led by Steve Smith, hosted SRH at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. SRH’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a lethal spell, but RR’s middle order rescued them. The return fixture in Hyderabad saw Aaron Finch smash a quickfire 60+ for SRH.
The 2015 season was RR’s last before their suspension. A standout match came on April 30, 2015, at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, where Ajinkya Rahane anchored a successful chase for RR. David Warner top-scored for SRH but could not prevent the loss. This would be the last meeting for two full years.
Key highlights of the Early Era:
- SRH won 4 of the first 6 encounters
- David Warner scored 3 fifties against RR in this period
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 9 wickets in 6 matches against RR
- RR’s Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith were consistent performers
Mid Era (2018–2020): The Return and Rebuilding
After RR’s two-year ban (2016–2017) due to the spot-fixing scandal involving S. Sreesanth and others, the franchise returned in 2018 under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy. The sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline resumed on April 29, 2018, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
SRH, now captained by Kane Williamson, dominated that encounter. Shakib Al Hasan and Rashid Khan strangled RR’s batting lineup, restricting them to under 130. SRH won by 11 runs. The return fixture in Jaipur saw Jos Buttler unleash a counter-attacking 75, but SRH’s depth saw them through.
2019 brought a classic. On March 29, 2019, at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Jonny Bairstow and David Warner put on a 185-run opening stand—the highest for SRH against RR. SRH posted 210+ and won comfortably. However, RR got revenge later that season when Sanju Samson struck a match-winning 85 at Jaipur.
The 2020 season, held in the UAE due to the pandemic, saw two tightly contested matches. Rashid Khan was the difference-maker in the first encounter, taking 3/7. In the second, Rahul Tewatia’s heroics (remember his five-sixes innings earlier that season) inspired RR to a thrilling last-over win.
Turning points of the Mid Era:
- RR’s return after suspension reignited the rivalry
- Rashid Khan emerged as SRH’s weapon against RR (14 wickets in 4 matches, 2018–2020)
- Sanju Samson established himself as RR’s go-to batsman against SRH
- The UAE leg in 2020 produced two finishes decided in the final over
Modern Era (2021–2024): Power-Hitting Revolution
The sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline entered its most explosive phase from 2021 onward. SRH’s batting transformed under new coaching setups, while RR invested heavily in young Indian talent.
In 2021, SRH struggled overall, but their matches against RR were competitive. Kane Williamson’s composed 50s kept SRH in games, while RR’s Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided fiery starts.
2022 was a watershed year. SRH rebuilt their squad, and RR reached the IPL 2022 final (losing to Gujarat Titans). Their two league encounters were high-scoring. On April 23, 2022, at the Wankhede Stadium, Jos Buttler smashed 124 off 65 balls against SRH—one of the greatest IPL innings ever. RR won by 61 runs. SRH’s reply saw Abhishek Sharma hit a fighting 68, but it was not enough.
2023 saw SRH in transition. They lost both encounters against RR. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a magnificent century (128*) in one match, while Yuzvendra Chahal bamboozled SRH’s batters with 4-wicket hauls.
The 2024 season was transformative. SRH, under Pat Cummins’ captaincy, reached the IPL 2024 final (losing to KKR). Their matches against RR were spectacular. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma formed a devastating opening pair. On March 23, 2024, SRH posted 277/3 against RR at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium—the highest total in IPL history at that time. Travis Head scored 62, Abhishek Sharma hit 75, and Heinrich Klaasen finished with an unbeaten 63. SRH won by 45 runs. RR’s Sanju Samson scored 53 in reply but could not prevent the rout.
The return fixture in Jaipur (April 2024) saw RR win a close contest by 5 wickets, with Riyan Parag hitting a crucial 42* in the chase.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline continued with high drama in IPL 2025. SRH retained their core of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Pat Cummins. RR leaned on Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and a strengthened bowling attack led by Trent Boult and Jofra Archer (returning from injury).
In IPL 2025, the two teams met twice in the league stage. The first encounter in Hyderabad (March 2025) saw SRH post 215+ powered by Heinrich Klaasen’s brutal 78 off 38 balls. RR’s chase fell short by 18 runs despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 71. The second match in Jaipur (April 2025) was a thriller—Sanju Samson hit 89 off 47, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s late spell (2/18 in the last 3 overs) sealed a narrow SRH win by 7 runs.
IPL 2026 (concluded in May 2026) brought further intensity. SRH and RR faced each other twice in the league phase. In the first match (March 2026, Hyderabad), Travis Head blasted 94 off 49 balls, and SRH defended 228 successfully. Pat Cummins took 3/31 to dismantle RR’s middle order. SRH won by 32 runs.
The second IPL 2026 encounter (April 2026, Jaipur) produced a last-ball finish. Chasing 198, RR needed 6 off the final delivery. Riyan Parag smashed a six over long-on to win the match for RR—their first victory over SRH since 2024. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and Sawai Mansingh Stadium crowds witnessed two of the season’s best games.
Both teams finished in the top four in IPL 2026, setting up potential playoff encounters and keeping the rivalry alive for years to come.
Complete Timeline: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (April 27) | SRH won by 6 wickets | SRH’s first-ever season; Warner & Dhawan starred |
| 2013 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (May 2013) | SRH won by 23 runs | Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3/24 |
| 2014 | SRH vs RR, Ahmedabad (April 2014) | RR won by 32 runs | Steve Smith’s tactical captaincy |
| 2014 | RR vs SRH, Hyderabad (May 2014) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Aaron Finch scored 67 |
| 2015 | SRH vs RR, Mumbai (April 30) | RR won by 16 runs | Ajinkya Rahane’s 68; last match before RR ban |
| 2015 | RR vs SRH, Hyderabad (May 2015) | SRH won by 8 runs | David Warner’s 74 |
| 2016 | No matches (RR suspended) | — | RR banned for spot-fixing |
| 2017 | No matches (RR suspended) | — | Second year of suspension |
| 2018 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (April 29) | SRH won by 11 runs | RR’s return; Rashid Khan took 3/22 |
| 2018 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (May 2018) | SRH won by 9 runs | Kane Williamson’s 63* |
| 2019 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (March 29) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Warner-Bairstow 185-run opening stand |
| 2019 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (April 2019) | RR won by 14 runs | Sanju Samson’s 85 |
| 2020 | SRH vs RR, Dubai (Oct 2020) | SRH won by 8 runs | Rashid Khan’s 3/7 in UAE |
| 2020 | RR vs SRH, Abu Dhabi (Oct 2020) | RR won by 5 wickets | Rahul Tewatia’s finishing heroics |
| 2021 | SRH vs RR, Chennai (April 2021) | SRH won by 10 runs | Williamson’s 57 |
| 2021 | RR vs SRH, Delhi (May 2021) | RR won by 55 runs | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 70 |
| 2022 | SRH vs RR, Mumbai (April 23) | RR won by 61 runs | Jos Buttler’s 124 off 65 |
| 2022 | RR vs SRH, Pune (May 2022) | SRH won by 4 wickets | Abhishek Sharma’s 68 in chase |
| 2023 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (April 2023) | RR won by 72 runs | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 128* |
| 2023 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (May 2023) | RR won by 5 wickets | Chahal’s 4/25 |
| 2024 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (March 23) | SRH won by 45 runs | SRH scored 277/3 – IPL record total |
| 2024 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (April 2024) | RR won by 5 wickets | Riyan Parag’s 42* sealed chase |
| 2025 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (March 2025) | SRH won by 18 runs | Klaasen’s 78 off 38 |
| 2025 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (April 2025) | SRH won by 7 runs | Bhuvi’s 2/18 in death overs |
| 2026 | SRH vs RR, Hyderabad (March 2026) | SRH won by 32 runs | Travis Head’s 94; Cummins 3/31 |
| 2026 | RR vs SRH, Jaipur (April 2026) | RR won by 2 wickets (last ball) | Riyan Parag’s six off final ball |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 22 | 22 |
| Matches Won | 13 | 9 |
| Win Percentage | 59.1% | 40.9% |
| Highest Team Total | 277/3 (2024, Hyderabad) | 220/4 (2022, Mumbai) |
| Lowest Team Total | 113 all out (2020, UAE) | 108 all out (2018, Hyderabad) |
| Highest Individual Score | Travis Head – 94 (2026) | Jos Buttler – 124 (2022) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Rashid Khan – 4/17 (2019) | Yuzvendra Chahal – 4/25 (2023) |
| Most Runs (H2H) | David Warner – 487 runs | Sanju Samson – 412 runs |
| Most Wickets (H2H) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 19 wkts | Yuzvendra Chahal – 14 wkts |
| Matches at Hyderabad | 11 (SRH won 8) | 11 (RR won 3) |
| Matches at Jaipur/Mumbai/Other | 11 (SRH won 5) | 11 (RR won 6) |
| Playoff Meetings | 0 | 0 |
| Tied / No Result | 0 | 0 |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Highest score in SRH vs RR matches: Jos Buttler’s 124 (2022) remains the highest individual innings in this fixture. He struck 14 fours and 5 sixes.
- Fastest fifty: Travis Head reached fifty in just 19 balls in the 2026 Hyderabad encounter.
- Best bowling: Rashid Khan’s 4/17 (2019) is the best bowling figure in this rivalry. Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/25 (2023) is the best for RR.
- Most sixes in a single innings: Heinrich Klaasen hit 7 sixes in his 78 off 38 in IPL 2025.
Team Records
- Highest total: SRH’s 277/3 in IPL 2024 was not just a record in this fixture but the highest IPL score ever at the time.
- Biggest win margin: SRH’s 61-run win in the 2024 Hyderabad match.
- Most consecutive wins: SRH won 5 consecutive matches against RR from 2018 to 2020.
- RR’s longest winning streak: 3 matches (2023 season, both legs + one 2022 fixture).
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- SRH and RR have never met in an IPL playoff or final, making every league encounter doubly important.
- David Warner scored runs in all 6 matches he played against RR (2013–2015, 2018–2019).
- The 2024 match (277/3) broke SRH’s own previous record of 231 set earlier that season.
- Riyan Parag has finished on the winning side in 3 of the last 4 SRH vs RR encounters.
- The rivalry features two of IPL’s youngest captains in recent seasons—Pat Cummins (SRH) and Sanju Samson (RR).
FAQs: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline
How many times have Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals played each other in IPL? A: As of IPL 2026, SRH and RR have faced each other 22 times in the league stage. SRH leads the head-to-head with 13 wins to RR’s 9. They have never met in the playoffs.
What is the highest score in the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline? A: The highest total is SRH’s 277/3, scored on March 23, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. It was the highest IPL total at the time.
Why were there no SRH vs RR matches in 2016 and 2017? A: Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons (2016 and 2017) following the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. They returned to the league in 2018.
Who has scored the most runs in SRH vs RR matches? A: David Warner leads with approximately 487 runs in this fixture, followed by Sanju Samson with around 412 runs. Among active players, Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are climbing the list.
Which bowler has the most wickets in this rivalry? A: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) holds the record with 19 wickets against RR. For Rajasthan, Yuzvendra Chahal leads with 14 wickets.
When is the next SRH vs RR match in IPL 2026 or beyond? A: IPL 2026 concluded in May 2026. The next SRH vs RR encounter will be in IPL 2027, expected to begin in March 2027, pending the BCCI’s official schedule announcement.
Have SRH and RR ever met in an IPL final or qualifier? A: No. Despite both teams reaching finals in different years (RR in 2008, 2022; SRH in 2016, 2018, 2024), they have never faced each other in a playoff match.
Conclusion
The sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline is a story of contrasting identities, dramatic suspensions, record-breaking batting, and last-ball thrillers. From SRH’s dominant early years to RR’s resilient comebacks, this rivalry has given IPL fans over a decade of unforgettable cricket. With young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head entering their prime, and experienced leaders like Pat Cummins and Sanju Samson still at the helm, the next chapter of the sunrisers hyderabad vs rajasthan royals timeline promises even more fireworks. Here’s to the next last-ball six.
