Introduction

If you love high-scoring T20 cricket, the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline is exactly the kind of rivalry that keeps you glued to your screen. These two franchises have delivered some of the most electric matches in IPL history. From close finishes decided by a single run to record-breaking totals, this rivalry has it all.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline spans from 2013 to the present, covering 21 matches packed with drama, brilliant individual performances, and unforgettable turning points. Both teams have won the IPL title once, which makes every meeting feel like a battle between equals.

In this article, you will get a full picture of how this rivalry unfolded year by year. You will find head to head records, standout moments, key player battles, and answers to the most common questions fans ask. Whether you are a die-hard supporter or just getting into IPL cricket, this complete breakdown will give you everything you need.

A Quick Look at the Head to Head Record

Before diving deep into the timeline, let us set the context with the overall numbers. These two sides have met 21 times in the IPL, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline firmly favors SRH.

• Total matches played: 21
• SRH wins: 12
• RR wins: 9
• No results: 0
• SRH highest score: 286/6
• RR highest score: 242/6
• SRH lowest score: 127
• RR lowest score: 102

The numbers tell a clear story. Hyderabad have been the stronger side overall, but Rajasthan have never gone away quietly. Nine wins against a solid opponent says a lot about RR’s ability to show up in big moments.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline: Year by Year

2013: The Rivalry Begins

The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline kicked off in 2013 when SRH joined the IPL as a new franchise, replacing the Deccan Chargers. In their very first encounter on April 27, 2013, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals dominated from ball one.

James Faulkner set the tone with a five-wicket haul, restricting SRH to 144/9. Shane Watson then came out blazing, scoring 98 off just 53 balls. RR chased down the target with 13 balls to spare, winning by 8 wickets. Faulkner took the Player of the Match award for what was the first of two five-wicket hauls he would take against SRH that very season.

However, SRH bounced back later in the same season. Faulkner also grabbed 5/16 in their second encounter, but that time Hyderabad managed to pull off a 23-run win. It was clear from the start: this rivalry would never be one-sided.

2014 to 2016: SRH Find Their Feet

Over the next few seasons, SRH steadily took control of the head to head record. The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline saw Hyderabad win several back-to-back encounters during this period. Their bowling unit, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, consistently troubled RR’s batting lineup.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the all-time leading wicket-taker in this rivalry with 15 wickets across all their meetings. His ability to swing the ball early and hold up at the death made him a nightmare for Rajasthan batters. This period also coincided with SRH becoming a genuine title contender, eventually winning the IPL title in 2016 under David Warner.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, faced several disruptions including bans and rebuilding phases. Their performances dipped, but whenever these two sides met, the games still delivered entertainment.

2018: The Warner vs Stokes Era

The 2018 season added another chapter to the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline. Both teams fielded destructive batting lineups. SRH had David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan at the top, while RR boasted the newly signed Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

This was also the year SRH made the final, only to lose to Chennai Super Kings. The encounters between SRH and RR that year were high-quality affairs with strong batting displays on both sides. Each game felt like a preview of what T20 cricket could look like at its very best.

2022: Buttler’s Golden Season

The IPL 2022 season deserves a special mention in the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline. Jos Buttler was in the form of his life that year. He single-handedly powered Rajasthan Royals to the final, scoring 863 runs in the season.

The RR vs SRH encounter in 2022 was no different. Buttler’s bat was on fire, and Rajasthan made it look easy against what was a transitioning Hyderabad side. SRH struggled during 2021, 2022, and 2023, failing to make the playoffs. This gave RR the breathing room to dominate some of their meetings during this phase.

In a 55-run win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Buttler scored 124 off 64 balls. That innings included 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, and it remains the highest individual score by a Rajasthan Royals batter in the entire history of the IPL. That kind of performance writes itself into the timeline permanently.

2023: RR’s Dominant Win in Hyderabad

The 2023 season gave Rajasthan Royals their biggest win in Hyderabad. In a match played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, RR posted 203/5 with half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and captain Sanju Samson.

In reply, SRH could only manage 131/8. Yuzvendra Chahal was the hero with the ball, picking up 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs. Trent Boult chipped in with 2 wickets as well. The 72-run margin remains Rajasthan’s biggest victory over SRH in terms of runs. It was a complete team performance on both sides of the ball.

2024: SRH’s Ruthless Run Fest

The 2024 season was where the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline took a dramatic new turn. SRH transformed into a batting powerhouse under Pat Cummins. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head formed one of the most destructive opening partnerships in IPL history.

SRH’s batting dominated most games in 2024. They smashed records left, right, and center. By the time they faced RR in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, both teams were playing for a spot in the final. SRH won that critical playoff game, knocking RR out. Hyderabad made it to the final but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.

For Rajasthan, 2024 ended in disappointment. Despite Sanju Samson’s captaincy and a strong campaign, they fell at the final hurdle. That qualifier loss added extra bitterness to the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline from RR’s perspective.

2025: The 286 Record Breaker

The most recent chapter in the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline came in IPL 2025 Match 2, played on March 23, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This match broke records and left the entire cricket world speechless.

SRH posted a staggering 286/6, the second-highest total in IPL history at the time. Travis Head smashed 67, but it was Ishan Kishan who stole the show. Playing his first game for SRH, Kishan scored a brilliant century, making him the first Indian player to score an IPL hundred for Sunrisers Hyderabad. That performance on debut was extraordinary.

Rajasthan Royals came out swinging in reply. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel both scored half-centuries, and the total reached 242/6. But chasing 287 proved too much. RR fell 44 runs short. It was a heartbreaking near miss, but you have to admire the fight they showed. The final scoreline reads as SRH won by 44 runs.

Key Player Battles That Defined This Rivalry

Sanju Samson: The Heart of RR

In the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline, no batter has scored more runs than Sanju Samson. He has accumulated 764 runs across all their meetings. That number puts him well ahead of Jos Buttler in second place with 354 runs and Ajinkya Rahane in third with 347.

Samson’s ability to anchor the innings while also attacking when needed makes him the most dangerous batter RR has had against SRH. He often rises to the challenge in big games, and this rivalry has seen him at his absolute best.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: SRH’s Wicket Machine

On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the wickets chart in the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline with 15 dismissals. His control with swing and seam has troubled every RR top-order batter over the years. James Faulkner sits second with 12 wickets, while Yuzvendra Chahal takes third place with 11.

Faulkner’s record is remarkable given that he took two five-wicket hauls in a single season against SRH in 2013. That kind of individual brilliance in a rivalry context is almost unheard of.

Travis Head and Ishan Kishan: The 2025 Powerplay Kings

The 2025 edition introduced a new dynamic to the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline. Travis Head and Ishan Kishan gave SRH a devastating start, putting the opposition under pressure from the very first ball. Their partnership in the powerplay during IPL 2025 was something Rajasthan’s bowlers had no answer for.

Memorable Moments From the SRH vs RR Rivalry

Several moments stand out when you trace the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline. Here are some you absolutely cannot skip:

1. James Faulkner’s double five-fer in 2013: The only bowler to take two five-wicket hauls for RR against the same opponent in a single season.
2. Jos Buttler’s 124 off 64 balls in 2022: The highest individual score by any RR batter in IPL history. SRH had no answer on that day.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/17 in 2023: A bowling masterclass that helped RR win by 72 runs in Hyderabad, their biggest win at that venue.
4. Ishan Kishan’s debut century in 2025: Scored for SRH on his very first appearance in Orange, helping power a total of 286 that almost no team could chase.
5. The 1-run SRH thriller in Hyderabad: One of the closest finishes in the timeline, with SRH defending 201 to win by just a single run.

SRH vs RR: Venue Records You Should Know

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has been a fortress for SRH in this rivalry. Rajasthan have played there five times, with SRH winning four of those encounters. Chasing high totals on that ground is extremely difficult, and RR have found that out the hard way on multiple occasions.

At neutral venues, the contest has been much more competitive. RR tend to perform better when they play at home in Jaipur, where familiar conditions and crowd support give them a clear advantage. Their very first meeting in 2013 in Jaipur ended with an RR win, and the trend has continued sporadically since then.

What Makes the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline So Special

Many IPL rivalries feel predictable over time. One team usually dominates, and the other just shows up. That is not the case with SRH and RR. The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline is genuinely competitive. Both sides have had eras of dominance, and both have knocked each other out of playoffs.

You also get contrasting styles. SRH under their 2024 and 2025 avatar is about brutality in the powerplay and chasing down any total with swagger. RR, meanwhile, blends experienced match-winners with young talent and plays a smarter, more calculated game.

Their shared status as one-time champions also adds weight to every encounter. When these two teams meet, it always feels like a title match preview. The crowd at any stadium buzzes with anticipation, and the players deliver more often than not.

IPL 2026 and Beyond: What to Expect

As we move into IPL 2026, the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline will add new chapters. SRH showed in 2025 that they are still a team capable of posting monster totals. With Ishan Kishan in fine form and Travis Head as consistent as ever, their batting remains terrifying.

Rajasthan Royals will be hungry to close the gap. Sanju Samson knows better than anyone that RR need to match SRH’s powerplay firepower if they want to compete at the highest level. Adding Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana to their arsenal gives them variety that could exploit SRH batters on turning tracks.

The next time these two meet, you should mark your calendar. It will be explosive.

Conclusion

The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline is one of the most compelling rivalries in IPL cricket. Across 21 matches since 2013, you have seen five-wicket hauls on debut, record-breaking totals, nail-biting one-run finishes, and individual masterclasses that people will talk about for decades.

SRH lead the overall count 12 wins to 9, but those numbers only tell part of the story. Rajasthan have had their moments of glory, and the rivalry remains wonderfully balanced in terms of quality and drama. Whether you support the Orange Army or the Pink Brigade, you always know you are in for a treat.

Looking back at the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals timeline, which match do you think was the most memorable? Was it Buttler’s 124, Kishan’s debut century, or Faulkner’s double five-fer from back in 2013? Drop your pick and share this article with fellow IPL fans who live for these moments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many times have SRH and RR played each other in the IPL?

SRH and RR have played 21 matches against each other in the IPL since their first encounter in 2013.

2. Who leads the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals head to head record?

Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the head to head record with 12 wins. Rajasthan Royals have won 9 of their 21 meetings.

3. What is the highest score in SRH vs RR matches?

SRH posted the highest score of 286/6 in IPL 2025, the second-highest total in IPL history at the time. RR’s highest against SRH is 242/6, also scored in that same match while chasing.

4. Who is the top run scorer in SRH vs RR encounters?

Sanju Samson leads all run scorers in SRH vs RR matches with 764 runs, ahead of Jos Buttler (354 runs) and Ajinkya Rahane (347 runs).

5. Who has taken the most wickets in SRH vs RR matches?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the wickets tally with 15 wickets. James Faulkner sits second with 12 wickets, and Yuzvendra Chahal is third with 11 wickets.

6. What was the biggest RR win over SRH?

Rajasthan Royals’ biggest win over SRH was their first ever meeting in 2013 at Jaipur, where they won by 8 wickets. Their biggest win by runs was the 72-run victory in IPL 2023 in Hyderabad.

7. What was the biggest SRH win over RR?

SRH’s biggest win over RR in this rivalry was by 44 runs in IPL 2025, when they posted 286/6 and bowled RR out for 242.

8. Have SRH and RR ever met in the IPL playoffs?

Yes. They met in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, where SRH beat RR to book their spot in the final. Hyderabad then lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

9. Who scored a century on debut for SRH against RR?

Ishan Kishan scored a century on his very first game for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals. He became the first Indian batter to score an IPL hundred for SRH.

10. Which stadium has the best SRH record in this rivalry?

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is SRH’s strongest ground in this rivalry. They have won 4 out of 5 matches played there against RR.

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Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
Author Name: johan harwen

About the Author: John Harwen is a seasoned sports writer and cricket analyst with over a decade of experience covering the Indian Premier League and international cricket. He specializes in deep-dive match analytics, franchise histories, and player performance studies. John has contributed to multiple leading cricket publications and sports media platforms across South Asia and the UK. His writing combines sharp statistical insight with a fan-first storytelling approach, making complex cricket data accessible and enjoyable for readers of all levels. When he is not analyzing match data, John can be found watching live cricket, debating IPL tactics with fellow enthusiasts, or mentoring young sports journalists. You can follow his work for consistently fresh takes on the game you love.