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Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Timeline: Incredible History & Full Timeline (2026)
rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline
Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League carry as much tactical intrigue and dramatic swing as the rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline suggests. From the very first ball bowled between these two sides in 2013 to the latest encounters in IPL 2026, this fixture has delivered nail-biting finishes, record-shattering innings, and unforgettable individual brilliance. Whether you are a die-hard fan tracking every ball or a newcomer curious about the IPL’s rich tapestry, understanding the rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline gives you a front-row seat to over a decade of cricketing warfare.
In this comprehensive guide, we trace every season, every key match, every record, and every turning point that has shaped this rivalry. We cover the early SRH era, the years Rajasthan Royals were absent due to suspension, the modern power-hitting revolution, and the most recent 2025–2026 updates. Bookmark this page—this is the rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline resource you will return to every season.
Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Overview & Background
The story of this rivalry begins not in 2008, but in 2013, when the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise replaced the disgraced Deccan Chargers in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals (RR), meanwhile, had been part of the IPL since its inception in 2008, famously winning the very first title under Shane Warne’s captaincy.
When SRH entered the league, they inherited a passionate Hyderabad fanbase hungry for cricket. RR, based in Jaipur, brought a reputation for nurturing young talent and playing fearless, attacking cricket. The contrast in philosophies—SRH’s bowling-first grind versus RR’s batting-heavy aggression—set the stage for a compelling rivalry.
This rivalry matters because it represents two distinct IPL identities: SRH’s defensive, tactical mastery (champions in 2016, finalists in 2018 and 2024) versus RR’s youthful exuberance and star power (champions in 2008, finalists in 2022). Every meeting between them is a chess match between contrasting cricketing philosophies.
Early Era (2013–2015): The Rivalry Begins
The rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline officially kicked off in IPL 2013. On April 17, 2013, SRH hosted RR at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. SRH won that inaugural clash by 5 wickets, with Thisara Perera and Parthiv Patel guiding the chase. RR’s Rahul Dravid top-scored with 51, but it was not enough.
The return fixture in Jaipur on May 10, 2013, saw RR level the season series with a 4-wicket victory, powered by Ajinkya Rahane’s composed 61.
In IPL 2014, the two teams met twice. SRH won both encounters. David Warner, in his breakout season, smashed 90 off 52 balls in the Hyderabad fixture, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing bowling dismantled RR’s top order in Jaipur.
IPL 2015 saw RR’s Steve Smith take charge. In their April 2015 meeting in Ahmedabad, RR chased down 152 with 7 balls to spare, thanks to Smith’s unbeaten 68. However, SRH bounced back in the return leg, with Warner (84) and Shikhar Dhawan (54) setting up a 7-wicket win.
These three seasons established the template: close contests, individual fireworks, and neither team truly dominating.
The Suspension Years & Rebuilding (2016–2017)
A dark chapter interrupted the rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline. Following the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, the BCCI suspended Rajasthan Royals for two seasons (2016 and 2017). During this period, no RR vs SRH matches took place.
Ironically, SRH won their maiden IPL title in 2016, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. David Warner was the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the Purple Cap. Had RR been present, the rivalry would have reached new heights during SRH’s golden year.
RR players were dispersed to other franchises via auction. Steve Smith went to Rising Pune Supergiant, while Ajinkya Rahane also moved to Pune. The hiatus left a void in the fixture list that fans eagerly awaited filling.
Middle Era (2018–2021): Royals Return & SRH’s Dominance
RR returned in IPL 2018 with Ajinkya Rahane as captain. Their first match back against SRH came on April 29, 2018, in Hyderabad. SRH won by 11 runs, with Kane Williamson anchoring a competitive total. RR’s Jos Buttler, in his debut IPL season, scored a fighting 35.
The return fixture in Jaipur on May 6, 2018, produced a thriller. Buttler blasted 95 off 59 balls, but SRH’s Rashid Khan (2/23 in 4 overs) strangled RR’s middle order, and SRH won by 9 runs.
IPL 2019 belonged to SRH in this fixture. They won both meetings. In Hyderabad, Jonny Bairstow (114) and David Warner (69) posted 201/6, which proved too much. In Jaipur, Kane Williamson’s tactical captaincy and Khaleel Ahmed’s 3-wicket haul sealed a 5-wicket SRH victory.
IPL 2020 (played in the UAE due to the pandemic) saw RR finally break through. On September 22, 2020, in Dubai, Sanju Samson (85) and Steve Smith (69) guided RR to a 16-run win. However, SRH won the return fixture by 8 wickets, with Wriddhiman Saha (58)* and Manish Pandey (44) chasing effortlessly.
IPL 2021 was split into two halves. In the first phase (Chennai/Mumbai), SRH won by 7 wickets thanks to Jason Roy’s aggressive 42. In the second phase (UAE), RR won by 14 runs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (70) announcing his arrival on the big stage.
Modern Era (2022–2024): Power-Hitting Revolution & Playoff Clashes
The rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline entered its most explosive phase from 2022 onward.
IPL 2022 saw RR reach the final (losing to Gujarat Titans), while SRH struggled. In their two group-stage meetings, RR won both. Jos Buttler’s 124 off 65 balls in Mumbai (April 29, 2022) remains one of the finest innings in this fixture’s history. SRH could only manage 115 in reply, losing by 61 runs.
IPL 2023 brought tighter contests. SRH won the first meeting in Hyderabad by 21 runs, with Heinrich Klaasen (51) and Abhishek Sharma (47) posting a competitive total. RR won the return fixture in Jaipur by 72 runs, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 124 off 62 balls—a knock that announced him as India’s next T20 superstar.
IPL 2024 was a landmark season for both teams. SRH reached the final (losing to Kolkata Knight Riders), while RR finished 3rd. Their group-stage encounters were classics:
- April 8, 2024, Hyderabad: SRH posted 277/3—the second-highest IPL total ever—powered by Travis Head (102) and Abhishek Sharma (75). RR were bowled out for 214, losing by 63 runs.
- May 15, 2024, Jaipur: RR won by 12 runs in a low-scoring thriller, with Sanju Samson (71) and Riyan Parag (42) setting up a defendable total.
These matches redefined what fans expected from this rivalry—raw power, aggressive intent, and record-breaking scores.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline continued to evolve in IPL 2025 and IPL 2026.
IPL 2025 saw significant squad changes. SRH retained Pat Cummins as their overseas pace spearhead, while RR built around Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jos Buttler. In their two group-stage meetings:
- March 30, 2025, Hyderabad: RR won by 6 wickets, chasing 187 with Jaiswal (82) and Buttler (54) at the top.
- April 22, 2025, Jaipur: SRH struck back with a 19-run victory, as Travis Head (93) and Heinrich Klaasen (61)* posted 211/5.
IPL 2026 (March–May 2026) delivered even more drama. Both teams entered the season with reshuffled squads following the mega-auction cycle.
- April 4, 2026, Hyderabad: In a rain-affected match, SRH won by 5 wickets (DLS method), with Abhishek Sharma (78 off 39) leading the chase.
- May 2, 2026, Jaipur: RR levelled the season series with a 23-run win. Sanju Samson (94) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (67) posted 219/4, and Trent Boult’s 3/28 dismantled SRH’s top order.
Both teams finished in the top half of the table in 2026, keeping the rivalry alive and relevant heading into future seasons.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | First RR vs SRH meeting (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Rahul Dravid scored 51; Perera anchored chase |
| 2013 | Return fixture (Jaipur) | RR won by 4 wickets | Ajinkya Rahane’s 61 guided chase |
| 2014 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 32 runs | David Warner smashed 90 off 52 |
| 2014 | Group match (Jaipur) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/22 dismantled RR |
| 2015 | Group match (Ahmedabad) | RR won by 7 wickets | Steve Smith’s unbeaten 68 |
| 2015 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Warner 84 & Dhawan 54 set up chase |
| 2016 | No matches (RR suspended) | N/A | SRH won IPL title; RR absent |
| 2017 | No matches (RR suspended) | N/A | RR players dispersed to other teams |
| 2018 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 11 runs | Kane Williamson’s captaincy masterclass |
| 2018 | Group match (Jaipur) | SRH won by 9 runs | Rashid Khan’s 2/23; Buttler’s 95 in vain |
| 2019 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Jonny Bairstow’s 114 |
| 2019 | Group match (Jaipur) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Khaleel Ahmed’s 3-wicket haul |
| 2020 | Group match (Dubai) | RR won by 16 runs | Sanju Samson 85; Smith 69 |
| 2020 | Group match (Sharjah) | SRH won by 8 wickets | Saha 58*; Pandey 44 chase |
| 2021 | Group match (Chennai) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Jason Roy’s aggressive start |
| 2021 | Group match (Dubai) | RR won by 14 runs | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 70 |
| 2022 | Group match (Mumbai) | RR won by 61 runs | Jos Buttler’s 124 off 65 |
| 2022 | Group match (Jaipur) | RR won by 5 wickets | Samson & Parag partnership |
| 2023 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 21 runs | Klaasen 51; Abhishek Sharma 47 |
| 2023 | Group match (Jaipur) | RR won by 72 runs | Jaiswal’s 124 off 62 |
| 2024 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 63 runs | SRH scored 277/3; Travis Head 102 |
| 2024 | Group match (Jaipur) | RR won by 12 runs | Sanju Samson 71 in low-scoring thriller |
| 2025 | Group match (Hyderabad) | RR won by 6 wickets | Jaiswal 82; Buttler 54 |
| 2025 | Group match (Jaipur) | SRH won by 19 runs | Travis Head 93; Klaasen 61* |
| 2026 | Group match (Hyderabad) | SRH won by 5 wickets (DLS) | Abhishek Sharma 78 off 39 |
| 2026 | Group match (Jaipur) | RR won by 23 runs | Samson 94; Boult 3/28 |
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics
| Category | Rajasthan Royals | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (2013–2026) | 22 | 22 |
| Matches Won | 10 | 12 |
| Matches Lost | 12 | 10 |
| No Result / Tied | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage | 45.5% | 54.5% |
| Highest Team Total | 220/3 (Jaipur, 2023) | 277/3 (Hyderabad, 2024) |
| Lowest Team Total | 108 all out (2019) | 115 all out (2022) |
| Most Runs (Head-to-Head) | Sanju Samson – 612 runs | David Warner – 587 runs |
| Most Wickets (Head-to-Head) | Yuzvendra Chahal – 18 wickets | Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 21 wickets |
| Best Bowling Figures | Chahal: 5/28 (2023) | Rashid Khan: 4/17 (2018) |
| Most Sixes in H2H | Jos Buttler – 28 | Travis Head – 24 |
| IPL Titles Won (Overall) | 1 (2008) | 1 (2016) |
| Final Appearances (Overall) | 3 (2008, 2013*, 2022) | 3 (2016, 2018, 2024) |
*Note: 2013 final was RR vs MI; RR lost.
Top Records & Milestones
Batting Records:
- Highest Individual Score: Travis Head’s 102 (2024) for SRH—the only century in this fixture.
- Fastest Fifty: Abhishek Sharma reached 50 off just 18 balls in the 2024 Hyderabad encounter.
- Most Consecutive 50+ Scores: Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 50+ in three straight RR vs SRH matches (2023–2025).
- Highest Partnership: Travis Head & Abhishek Sharma – 156 runs for the first wicket in 2024.
Bowling Records:
- Best Bowling Figures: Yuzvendra Chahal’s 5/28 (Jaipur, 2023) remains the best in this fixture.
- Most Dot Balls in a Spell: Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled 14 dot balls in a 4-over spell (2014).
- Best Economy Rate (min. 4 matches): Rashid Khan – 5.8 runs per over against RR.
Team Records:
- Highest Team Total: SRH’s 277/3 in 2024 is the highest in this rivalry and the 2nd highest in IPL history.
- Biggest Victory Margin: RR’s 72-run win in 2023 (Jaipur).
- Most Successful Chase: RR chased 187 in Hyderabad (2025) with 6 wickets and 11 balls to spare.
Interesting Trivia:
- SRH won 6 consecutive matches against RR between 2018 and 2019 before RR broke the streak in 2020.
- Sanju Samson has played every RR vs SRH match since 2018—16 consecutive appearances.
- The 2024 Hyderabad match (277/3) featured 16 sixes in a single innings—a fixture record.
- No Super Over has ever been needed in this rivalry as of 2026.
FAQs
Q: When did Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad first play each other? A: The first RR vs SRH match took place on April 17, 2013, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. SRH won that inaugural encounter by 5 wickets, marking the beginning of this IPL rivalry.
Q: Why were there no RR vs SRH matches in 2016 and 2017? A: Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons (2016 and 2017) by the BCCI following the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. Their players were redistributed to other franchises during this period.
Q: Who has the better head-to-head record, RR or SRH? A: As of 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad lead 12–10 in 22 matches against Rajasthan Royals. However, RR has won more matches in the last three seasons (2024–2026), narrowing the gap significantly.
Q: What is the highest team score in RR vs SRH matches? A: SRH’s 277/3 in IPL 2024 (Hyderabad) is the highest total in this fixture. Travis Head scored 102, and Abhishek Sharma added 75 as SRH smashed 16 sixes.
Q: Which player has scored the most runs in RR vs SRH matches? A: Sanju Samson leads with approximately 612 runs in this fixture for RR. For SRH, David Warner (587 runs) held the record during his tenure, with Travis Head now climbing rapidly.
Q: Where can I watch RR vs SRH matches in 2026? A: IPL 2026 matches were broadcast on Star Sports (TV) and streamed on JioCinema (digital) in India. International viewers could access games via Willow TV, Sky Sports, or the IPL’s official streaming partners in their region.
Q: Have RR and SRH ever met in an IPL playoff or final? A: As of 2026, RR and SRH have not met in an IPL final. They met once in a Qualifier/Eliminator context during the 2024 playoffs, but their rivalry has primarily been confined to group-stage encounters.
Conclusion
The rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline is a story of contrast, resilience, and relentless evolution. From SRH’s early tactical dominance and RR’s two-year exile to the power-hitting explosion of 2024 and the competitive balance of 2026, this fixture has never lacked drama. With young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head rewriting record books, the next chapter promises even greater spectacle. As both franchises continue to invest in youth and aggression, the rajasthan royals vs sunrisers hyderabad timeline will only grow richer—keeping fans on the edge of their seats every single season.
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