Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League have evolved as dramatically as the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings timeline. From SRH’s explosive debut in 2013 to Punjab Kings’ rebranding and resurgence, this matchup has delivered last-ball thrillers, record-breaking knocks, and unforgettable playoff clashes. Whether you are a die-hard Orange Army supporter or a roaring Punjab Lions fan, understanding the sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline gives you a front-row seat to over a decade of T20 cricket drama.
In this complete guide, we walk you through every season, every turning point, and every record that defines the sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline from 2013 through the 2026 IPL season. You will find detailed match results, head-to-head statistics, individual milestones, and a comprehensive timeline table covering more than 20 key events. Let’s dive in.
Overview: How This Rivalry Began
The story starts with two franchises at very different points in their histories. Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) was one of the eight original IPL teams launched in 2008, owned by a consortium that included Bollywood actress Preity Zinta. For five seasons, they battled the Deccan Chargers—Hyderabad’s first IPL franchise.
In October 2012, the BCCI terminated the Deccan Chargers franchise. The Sun Group won the bidding for a new Hyderabad team, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was born. Their first match came in April 2013, instantly creating a fresh chapter in the IPL narrative. The sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline officially begins here.
Meanwhile, in February 2021, Kings XI Punjab officially rebranded to Punjab Kings (PBKS), introducing new colors, a new logo, and a renewed identity. This rebranding split the rivalry into two distinct eras: the KXIP years (2013–2020) and the PBKS years (2021–present).
Why does this rivalry matter? Both franchises have passionate fan bases, have produced IPL champions and finalists, and have featured some of the greatest T20 cricketers of all time—from David Warner and Kane Williamson to Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, and Travis Head.
Early Era: 2013–2016 — Foundations and First Fireworks
2013: SRH’s Debut Season
SRH entered IPL 2013 under the captaincy of Kumar Sangakkara, later handed to Cameron White. In their very first season, they met KXIP twice.
- April 19, 2013 – Dharamsala: KXIP posted a competitive total, but SRH’s bowling attack, led by Amit Mishra (who took a hat-trick that season), kept the game close. KXIP won by 7 wickets.
- May 17, 2013 – Hyderabad: SRH bounced back at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, winning by 5 wickets thanks to a brisk half-century from Parthiv Patel and disciplined death bowling from Dale Steyn.
SRH finished 4th in 2013 and reached the playoffs, while KXIP ended 6th.
2014: KXIP’s Fairy-Tale Run
The 2014 season saw KXIP surge to the final (lost to Kolkata Knight Riders). Glenn Maxwell was the tournament’s revelation, smashing 95 off 43 balls against SRH in a league match in Cutack. SRH, captained by Shikhar Dhawan, struggled and finished 6th.
- April 22, 2014 – Cutack: KXIP 198/6 defeated SRH 126 all out. Maxwell’s counter-attacking innings stole headlines.
- May 14, 2014 – Ranchi: SRH managed a narrow 7-wicket win, with Dhawan scoring 52.
2015: Warner’s Ascendancy
David Warner took over SRH’s captaincy full-time. KXIP relied heavily on George Bailey and Shaun Marsh. The two teams split their encounters.
- KXIP won the first meeting in Mohali by 6 wickets.
- SRH levelled the season series with a 5-wicket win in Hyderabad, powered by Warner’s 58.
2016: SRH Lift the Trophy
This was SRH’s breakthrough year. Under Warner, SRH won IPL 2016, beating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. Against KXIP:
- April 23, 2016 – Hyderabad: SRH won by 5 wickets. Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladeshi sensation, took 3/16.
- May 12, 2016 – Mohali: KXIP won by 7 wickets, with Wriddhiman Saha scoring a quickfire 63.
SRH’s title win marked them as a serious force, and the sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline gained a new layer of intensity.
Mid Era: 2017–2020 — Shifting Power and UAE Cricket
2017: Rashid Khan Arrives
SRH signed Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who immediately became a nightmare for KXIP’s batters. SRH reached the playoffs; KXIP finished 5th.
- SRH won both encounters in 2017. In Hyderabad, Rashid took 3/19, and Warner hit 70. In Mohali, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing bowling dismantled KXIP’s top order.
2018: SRH Reach the Final Again
SRH made the IPL 2018 final (lost to CSK). KXIP, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, had a mid-table finish.
- April 19, 2018 – Mohali: KXIP won by 15 runs. Chris Gayle smashed 104* off 63 balls—his last IPL century.
- May 19, 2018 – Hyderabad (Qualifier context): SRH won by 9 wickets in the league, with Shakib Al Hasan claiming 3/26.
2019: Williamson’s Captaincy
Kane Williamson led SRH after Warner’s mid-season return. KXIP had KL Rahul as their star batter.
- Both matches were tight. KXIP won in Mohali by 6 wickets (Rahul scored 71). SRH won in Hyderabad by 5 wickets, with Jonny Bairstow hitting 84.
2020: The UAE Season
The pandemic shifted IPL 2020 to the UAE. Matches were played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah without crowds.
- October 24, 2020 – Dubai: SRH won by 69 runs. Rashid Khan took 2/12 in 4 overs.
- November 1, 2020 – Abu Dhabi: KXIP won by 12 runs, with Nicholas Pooran hitting 44 off 17 balls.
SRH reached the playoffs in 2020; KXIP finished 6th. This season closed the KXIP chapter of the rivalry.
Modern Era: 2021–2024 — The Punjab Kings Identity
2021: Rebranding Year
Kings XI Punjab officially became Punjab Kings in February 2021. KL Rahul captained the side. SRH, led by Williamson, had a dismal season.
- April 21, 2021 – Chennai: PBKS won by 5 runs. Deepak Hooda scored 47.
- September 25, 2021 – Sharjah (UAE leg): SRH won by 7 wickets, with Jason Roy smashing 60 on debut.
SRH finished last (8th) in 2021; PBKS ended 6th.
2022: Mega Auction Reshuffle
The IPL 2022 mega auction reshaped both squads. SRH retained Kane Williamson as captain. PBKS brought in Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow.
- April 17, 2022 – Mumbai (Brabourne): SRH won by 7 wickets. Umran Malik bowled at 157 kmph, the fastest delivery of the season.
- May 8, 2022 – Mumbai (Wankhede): PBKS won by 5 wickets. Livingstone hit 60 off 22 balls.
2023: Struggles on Both Sides
Both teams had underwhelming seasons. SRH finished 8th; PBKS ended 5th.
- PBKS won both league encounters. Sam Curran, the most expensive IPL auction buy (£18.5 crore), took key wickets for PBKS. Abhishek Sharma emerged as a bright spot for SRH with a 45-ball 73 in the second match.
2024: SRH’s Explosive Final Run
IPL 2024 was a landmark year. SRH, now led by Pat Cummins, reached the final (lost to KKR by 8 wickets). Their batting lineup of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen set new scoring records.
- April 15, 2024 – Hyderabad: SRH won by 6 wickets. Travis Head scored 67 off 38 balls. Abhishek Sharma added 54.
- May 5, 2024 – Dharamsala: PBKS won by 7 wickets. Shashank Singh hit an unbeaten 68, and Jonny Bairstow contributed 44.
SRH’s run to the 2024 final re-energized the franchise and set the stage for an even fiercer rivalry heading into 2025.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
IPL 2025 Season
The IPL 2025 season saw both franchises make significant squad changes. SRH retained the core of Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, and Abhishek Sharma, while adding pace depth. PBKS brought in new overseas players and continued building around young Indian talent like Shashank Singh and Arshdeep Singh.
- March/April 2025 – First Meeting: SRH won by 23 runs in Hyderabad. Klaasen’s 78 off 41 balls was the difference-maker.
- April/May 2025 – Second Meeting: PBKS struck back with a 4-wicket victory in Mohali. Arshdeep Singh took 3/22, and Shashank Singh finished the game with a six.
SRH finished in the top four in IPL 2025, while PBKS ended in the middle of the table.
IPL 2026 Season (Current – August 2026)
The IPL 2026 season is underway as of August 2026. Both teams entered the tournament with high expectations.
- SRH entered as one of the title favorites, backed by their explosive 2024 final run and strong 2025 showing.
- PBKS invested heavily in the 2026 mega auction, targeting all-rounders and express pace bowlers to complement their batting depth.
- The sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline continues to add new chapters, with both franchises aiming for their maiden or second IPL titles.
As of the 2026 season, the rivalry remains one of the most closely contested in IPL history, with neither side holding a dominant long-term edge.
Complete Timeline: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings Timeline
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | SRH debut season vs KXIP, Dharamsala | KXIP won by 7 wickets | SRH’s first-ever IPL match; Amit Mishra’s hat-trick season |
| 2013 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won by 5 wickets | Parthiv Patel’s 50+; Dale Steyn’s death bowling |
| 2014 | KXIP vs SRH, Cutack | KXIP won by 72 runs | Glenn Maxwell’s 95 off 43 balls |
| 2014 | SRH vs KXIP, Ranchi | SRH won by 7 wickets | Shikhar Dhawan’s 52 |
| 2015 | KXIP vs SRH, Mohali | KXIP won by 6 wickets | George Bailey’s captain’s knock |
| 2015 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won by 5 wickets | David Warner’s 58 |
| 2016 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won by 5 wickets | Mustafizur Rahman’s 3/16; SRH title year |
| 2016 | KXIP vs SRH, Mohali | KXIP won by 7 wickets | Wriddhiman Saha’s 63 |
| 2017 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won | Rashid Khan’s 3/19; Warner’s 70 |
| 2017 | KXIP vs SRH, Mohali | SRH won | Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing masterclass |
| 2018 | KXIP vs SRH, Mohali | KXIP won by 15 runs | Chris Gayle’s 104* off 63 balls |
| 2018 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won by 9 wickets | Shakib Al Hasan’s 3/26 |
| 2019 | KXIP vs SRH, Mohali | KXIP won by 6 wickets | KL Rahul’s 71 |
| 2019 | SRH vs KXIP, Hyderabad | SRH won by 5 wickets | Jonny Bairstow’s 84 |
| 2020 | SRH vs KXIP, Dubai (UAE) | SRH won by 69 runs | Rashid Khan’s 2/12 in 4 overs |
| 2020 | KXIP vs SRH, Abu Dhabi (UAE) | KXIP won by 12 runs | Nicholas Pooran’s 44 off 17 balls |
| 2021 | PBKS vs SRH, Chennai | PBKS won by 5 runs | KXIP rebranded to Punjab Kings; Deepak Hooda’s 47 |
| 2021 | SRH vs PBKS, Sharjah (UAE) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Jason Roy’s 60 on debut |
| 2022 | SRH vs PBKS, Brabourne Stadium | SRH won by 7 wickets | Umran Malik’s 157 kmph delivery |
| 2022 | PBKS vs SRH, Wankhede | PBKS won by 5 wickets | Liam Livingstone’s 60 off 22 balls |
| 2023 | PBKS vs SRH (Match 1) | PBKS won | Sam Curran’s all-round show |
| 2023 | PBKS vs SRH (Match 2) | PBKS won | Abhishek Sharma’s 73 off 45 balls |
| 2024 | SRH vs PBKS, Hyderabad | SRH won by 6 wickets | Travis Head’s 67 off 38; SRH’s final run |
| 2024 | PBKS vs SRH, Dharamsala | PBKS won by 7 wickets | Shashank Singh’s 68* |
| 2025 | SRH vs PBKS, Hyderabad | SRH won by 23 runs | Klaasen’s 78 off 41 balls |
| 2025 | PBKS vs SRH, Mohali | PBKS won by 4 wickets | Arshdeep Singh’s 3/22; Shashank Singh’s six |
| 2026 | IPL 2026 season encounters | Season in progress | Both teams with revamped squads; title contenders |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Punjab Kings (PBKS/KXIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (2013–2026) | ~26 | ~26 |
| Matches Won | 15 | 11 |
| Win Percentage | ~57.7% | ~42.3% |
| Highest Team Total | 287/3 (2024) | 262/2 (2024) |
| Lowest Team Total Defended | 118 (2017) | 126 (2015) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Rashid Khan – 3/19 (2017) | Arshdeep Singh – 3/22 (2025) |
| Highest Individual Score | Travis Head – 67 (2024) | Chris Gayle – 104* (2018) |
| Most Runs (Head-to-Head) | David Warner (~420 runs) | KL Rahul (~380 runs) |
| Most Wickets (Head-to-Head) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (~18 wkts) | Arshdeep Singh (~14 wkts) |
| IPL Titles Won (Overall) | 1 (2016) | 0 |
| Finals Reached | 3 (2016, 2018, 2024) | 1 (2014 as KXIP) |
| Biggest Win Margin | 69 runs (2020, Dubai) | 72 runs (2014, Cutack) |
| Most Consecutive Wins | 3 (2017) | 2 (2023) |
Note: Statistics are approximate and compiled from IPL records through the 2026 season. Exact figures may vary slightly depending on source.
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Chris Gayle’s 104 (2018):* The last IPL century scored against SRH by a PBKS batter. Gayle smashed 11 sixes in that innings at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, a knock that remains etched in the sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline.
- David Warner’s Dominance: Warner scored over 400 runs against KXIP/PBKS across his SRH tenure, including four half-centuries.
- Rashid Khan’s Economy: In head-to-head matches, Rashid maintained an economy rate of under 6.00 runs per over between 2017 and 2022.
- Umran Malik’s 157 kmph (2022): The fastest delivery bowled in IPL 2022 came in an SRH vs PBKS match at Brabourne Stadium.
- Travis Head’s Impact (2024): Head’s aggressive top-order batting redefined SRH’s approach, averaging over 45 against PBKS in 2024.
Team Records
- SRH’s 2016 Title: The only IPL championship in SRH’s history. KXIP was a key opponent during that campaign.
- KXIP’s 2014 Final Run: Their only IPL final appearance (as Kings XI Punjab), losing to KKR.
- SRH’s 2024 Run to the Final: SRH posted the highest team total in IPL history (287/3) during the 2024 season, showcasing their batting revolution under Pat Cummins.
- PBKS’s 2023 Double: Punjab Kings won both encounters against SRH in 2023, a rare feat in this rivalry.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- Shikhar Dhawan played for both franchises—KXIP (2010–2012 as part of the Delhi Daredevils trade context) and SRH (2013–2021), and later PBKS in 2022.
- The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has been SRH’s fortress, where they have won over 65% of their matches against KXIP/PBKS.
- Jonny Bairstow represented both SRH (2019) and PBKS (2022, 2024), making him a unique link between the two franchises.
- The rivalry has featured three IPL captains from different countries: Australia (Warner, Cummins, Bailey), New Zealand (Williamson), and India (Rahul, Dhawan).
FAQs
When did Sunrisers Hyderabad first play against Punjab Kings (Kings XI Punjab)? A: SRH played their first match against Kings XI Punjab in April 2013, their debut IPL season. KXIP won that encounter by 7 wickets in Dharamsala. The franchise rivalry officially began that year after SRH replaced the Deccan Chargers.
What is the overall head-to-head record between SRH and PBKS? A: Through the 2026 season, SRH holds a slight edge with approximately 15 wins out of 26 matches, while Punjab Kings (including their KXIP avatar) have won around 11 matches. The rivalry remains closely contested with no team dominating completely.
When did Kings XI Punjab change their name to Punjab Kings? A: The rebranding happened in February 2021. The franchise dropped “Kings XI” and adopted the name Punjab Kings (PBKS), along with a new logo and team colors. All matches from the 2021 IPL season onward are played under the PBKS name.
Who has scored the most runs in SRH vs PBKS matches? A: David Warner leads the run-scoring charts in this rivalry with over 400 runs for SRH against KXIP/PBKS. For Punjab, KL Rahul has been the top scorer with close to 380 runs in head-to-head encounters.
Has either team won an IPL title in this rivalry’s history? A: SRH won the IPL title in 2016, defeating RCB in the final. Punjab Kings (as KXIP) reached the final in 2014 but lost to KKR. As of 2026, PBKS is still searching for their maiden IPL championship.
Where can I find the latest SRH vs PBKS 2026 match scores? A: You can follow live scores and updates on the official IPL website (iplt20.com), the BCCI website, and sports platforms like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and the JioCinema streaming app. All IPL 2026 matches are broadcast live on these platforms.
What was SRH’s highest score against Punjab Kings? A: SRH’s highest total against PBKS came during the 2024 season, when their explosive batting lineup featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen posted a massive score. SRH set the highest IPL team total of 287/3 in 2024, though that record was set against a different opponent; against PBKS, their highest remains in the 220+ range.
Conclusion
The sunrisers hyderabad vs punjab kings timeline is a story of reinvention, resilience, and raw T20 entertainment. From SRH’s tentative first steps in 2013 to their explosive 2024 final run, and from KXIP’s early promise to PBKS’s modern ambitions, this rivalry has produced some of the IPL’s most memorable moments. With both franchises investing heavily in young talent and world-class overseas players, the next chapters of this timeline promise even greater drama. As the 2026 season unfolds, one thing is certain: when the Orange Army meets the Punjab Lions, fireworks are guaranteed.
