The Southern Rivalry: 25 Meetings, Zero Predictability
In 25 IPL meetings spread across 13 seasons from 2013 to 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a narrow 13-11 advantage over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with one match producing no result. That single-digit gap is deceptive — it conceals 118-run blowouts, 4-run nail-biters, and dramatic swings of momentum that have made this one of the IPL's most volatile fixtures.
What makes the RCB-SRH rivalry compelling is its geography. Both franchises represent proud southern cricketing cities separated by roughly 570 kilometres. Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium have hosted 17 of the 25 meetings between them, creating genuine home-and-away theatre that few other IPL rivalries can match.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Metric | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Matches won | 11 | 13 |
| Win percentage | 45.8% | 54.2% |
| Biggest victory (runs) | 67 runs (2022) | 118 runs (2019) |
| Biggest victory (wickets) | 8 wickets (2023) | 9 wickets (2022) |
| No results | 1 (2013) | — |
| Total meetings | 25 | 25 |
The win percentages tell a story of SRH's sustained edge. Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 54.2% of all meetings — a meaningful margin across 25 matches. Yet Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been resurgent in the 2022-2025 cycle, winning 3 of the last 5 encounters to narrow what was once a wider gap.
Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May 2025 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 42 runs | Ishan Kishan |
| 25 Apr 2024 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 35 runs | Rajat Patidar |
| 15 Apr 2024 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 25 runs | Travis Head |
| 18 May 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 8 wickets | Virat Kohli |
| 8 May 2022 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 67 runs | Wanindu Hasaranga |
The recent pattern reveals an alternating fixture — neither side has won more than two consecutive meetings since 2022. RCB's 67-run demolition at the Wankhede in May 2022, powered by Wanindu Hasaranga's match-winning spell, was immediately followed by SRH's 9-wicket annihilation at Brabourne Stadium just 15 days earlier in that same season. The most recent meeting in Lucknow in 2025 saw Ishan Kishan anchor an SRH total that proved 42 runs too many for Bengaluru.
Defining Moments
The 118-Run Demolition — Hyderabad, 2019
The largest victory margin in the history of this fixture belongs to Sunrisers Hyderabad. On 31 March 2019, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, SRH posted a mammoth total and then dismantled Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting lineup to win by a staggering 118 runs. Jonny Bairstow was named Player of the Match for an explosive innings that set the tone from the first over. The defeat compounded what was a dismal start to RCB's 2019 campaign — they lost their first 6 matches that season. To date, no other match between these two sides has produced a margin anywhere close to triple figures.
The 4-Run Thriller — Abu Dhabi, 2021
If the 2019 blowout showcased SRH's capacity for dominance, the 2021 encounter in Abu Dhabi demonstrated their ability to win under pressure. On 6 October 2021, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium during the UAE leg of IPL 2021, Sunrisers Hyderabad defended their total by just 4 runs — the slimmest margin in the rivalry's history. Kane Williamson's composed captaincy and a tight death-bowling effort edged SRH past the line. Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed a gettable target but faltered in the final overs, underlining how fine margins define T20 outcomes when two evenly matched southern sides collide.
Patidar's Hyderabad Heist — April 2024
Rajat Patidar's match-winning performance on 25 April 2024 stands as one of the most significant results in recent meetings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru travelled to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium — a ground where SRH had historically dominated — and won by a commanding 35 runs. Patidar was named Player of the Match after anchoring the RCB innings. The result was notable because it came just 10 days after Travis Head had led SRH to a 25-run win over RCB at Chinnaswamy, making the return fixture a direct revenge match. Bengaluru's willingness to travel to Hyderabad and dominate reflected growing confidence in a squad that would go on to claim the IPL 2025 title — their first ever.
Venue Split
The rivalry's home-and-away dynamic is one of its most fascinating sub-plots. Consolidating the various stadium name variations used across IPL seasons, the venue breakdown is:
| Venue | City | Meetings | RCB Wins | SRH Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | 9 | 3 | 5 |
| UAE venues (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi) | UAE | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Neutral India (Chennai, Mumbai, Lucknow) | Various | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a clear 5-3 advantage at the Chinnaswamy, where the flat pitch and short boundaries have historically favoured their batting-heavy approach. Sunrisers Hyderabad, conversely, lead 5-3 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where pace-friendly conditions have suited their bowling strength. The 9 matches in Hyderabad make it the single most-played venue in this rivalry — and SRH's home fortress has been the primary reason they lead the overall head-to-head.
The UAE phase of IPL (2020-2021) was unkind to RCB in this fixture. Sunrisers won 3 of 4 meetings on neutral pitches in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed Cricket Stadium, suggesting that when you strip away home advantage, SRH's balanced attack coped better with unfamiliar conditions.
SRH's Early Dominance: 2013-2019
The first seven seasons of this rivalry (2013-2019) established Sunrisers Hyderabad as the dominant force. During this period, SRH won approximately 10 of the first 16 completed meetings — a run rate that pushed the overall ledger heavily in Hyderabad's favour. The 2016 season was particularly significant: SRH, under David Warner's captaincy, won the IPL title that year and swept both league-stage meetings against RCB en route to the trophy. Between 2016 and 2019, Sunrisers won 7 out of 9 meetings, establishing a period of clear superiority.
The dynamic shifted from 2020 onwards. As RCB's squad evolved — adding bowling depth and tactical nous — they began to claw back results. The 2022-2024 cycle saw RCB win 4 of 6 meetings, narrowing the overall deficit from a peak of roughly 5-6 matches to the current 2-match gap. Virat Kohli's continued presence provided batting consistency, while the introduction of quality overseas bowlers gave Bengaluru the tools to compete with SRH's traditionally strong bowling attack.
The Rivalry's Place in IPL History
The RCB-SRH fixture occupies a unique niche in the IPL's pantheon of rivalries. It lacks the corporate glamour of MI vs CSK or the historical weight of KKR vs RCB, but it compensates with raw competitive intensity. Both franchises have experienced extremes — SRH's 2016 title triumph and RCB's historic 2025 championship after years of near-misses. Neither has dominated the other for more than a handful of seasons, which ensures every meeting carries genuine unpredictability.
The fixture's southern identity gives it cultural resonance beyond the cricket itself. Bengaluru and Hyderabad — two of India's largest technology hubs — bring passionate, cricket-literate fanbases that pack stadiums and dominate social media discourse whenever these sides meet. As long as both franchises remain competitive, this fixture will be revisited every IPL season as one of the league's most absorbing contests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-time head-to-head record between RCB and SRH in the IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad have played 25 IPL matches against each other between 2013 and 2025. SRH lead the head-to-head with 13 wins to RCB's 11, with 1 match ending in no result.
What was the biggest victory in RCB vs SRH IPL history?
The biggest margin of victory in this fixture is Sunrisers Hyderabad's 118-run demolition of Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on 31 March 2019. Jonny Bairstow was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance.
What was the closest finish between RCB and SRH?
The closest result in the rivalry came on 6 October 2021 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where Sunrisers Hyderabad edged Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just 4 runs. Kane Williamson earned the Player of the Match award for his composed innings.
Which venue has hosted the most RCB vs SRH matches?
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has hosted 9 meetings — the most for any venue in this rivalry. Sunrisers Hyderabad lead 5-3 at their home ground (with 1 no result in 2013). The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has hosted 8 meetings, with RCB leading 5-3 on home soil.
Who has been the most impactful player in RCB vs SRH matches?
Virat Kohli has been the most prolific batsman in this fixture across his long tenure with RCB, earning multiple Player of the Match awards including a commanding 8-wicket victory in Hyderabad in May 2023. For SRH, players like Jonny Bairstow (118-run win in 2019) and Travis Head (25-run win in 2024) have delivered decisive match-winning performances.
How many IPL titles have RCB and SRH won?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title in 2025 after reaching the final multiple times since 2008. Sunrisers Hyderabad have one title, won in 2016 under David Warner's captaincy. SRH also finished as runners-up in 2018 and 2024.
Where can I watch RCB vs SRH matches live?
All IPL matches, including RCB vs SRH fixtures, are broadcast live on JioStar across television and streaming platforms. Check local listings for broadcast details in your region.