The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Rivalry: 21 Meetings, One Clear Leader
In 21 IPL meetings since their first clash in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a 12-9 advantage over Rajasthan Royals — a winning percentage of 57.1% that makes this one of the more lopsided fixtures in the tournament's middle tier of rivalries. The head-to-head record tells only half the story, however. This fixture has produced a 1-run nail-biter in Hyderabad, a 72-run annihilation in the same city, a 9-wicket blowout, and a playoff elimination match. It is a rivalry that refuses to be predictable.
What gives this matchup its distinctive character is the contrast between the two franchises. Sunrisers Hyderabad, born in 2013 after Deccan Chargers' termination, built their identity around bowling discipline and low totals defended. Rajasthan Royals, the original 2008 champions, have oscillated between fairy-tale runs and mid-table mediocrity across 15 seasons. When these two sides meet, it tends to produce cricket that rewards the tactically sharper side rather than the more talented one.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Metric | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Matches won | 12 | 9 |
| Win percentage | 57.1% | 42.9% |
| Biggest victory (runs) | 44 runs (2025) | 72 runs (2023) |
| Biggest victory (wickets) | 9 wickets (2018) | 8 wickets (2013) |
| Closest finish (defending) | 1 run (2024) | — |
| Playoff meetings | 1 (won) | 0 |
The numbers reveal a pattern: Sunrisers Hyderabad win more often, but when Rajasthan Royals win, they tend to win big. The Royals' 72-run demolition in 2023 remains the largest margin in the history of this fixture, dwarfing anything Hyderabad has managed in the other direction.
Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar 2025 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 44 runs | Ishan Kishan |
| 24 May 2024 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 36 runs (Qualifier 2) | Shahbaz Ahmed |
| 2 May 2024 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 run | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| 7 May 2023 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 wickets | Glenn Phillips |
| 2 Apr 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals | 72 runs | Jos Buttler |
Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the last four meetings in a row, a streak that includes a playoff knockout in 2024. Rajasthan Royals' most recent victory in this fixture came on 2 April 2023 when Jos Buttler's masterclass at Hyderabad delivered a 72-run thrashing.
Defining Moments
The 72-Run Demolition — Hyderabad, 2 April 2023
In the 4th match of IPL 2023, Rajasthan Royals delivered the single most dominant performance in the history of this rivalry. Batting first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the Royals posted an imposing total that proved utterly beyond Sunrisers. Jos Buttler was named Player of the Match for an innings that dismantled one of the IPL's most respected bowling attacks. The 72-run margin remains the widest in any SRH-RR encounter, a stark reminder that Rajasthan's batting firepower — when it clicks — can reduce any bowling unit to rubble.
The 1-Run Thriller — Hyderabad, 2 May 2024
Match 50 of IPL 2024 produced the closest finish this fixture has ever seen. Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting first at their home ground in Uppal, set a target that Rajasthan Royals chased with mounting desperation. With the equation coming down to the final over and then the final ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar held his nerve to defend the total by a single run. The margin — 1 run — is the smallest in all 21 SRH-RR meetings. Kumar's death-over mastery earned him the Player of the Match award and ensured Hyderabad's grip on the head-to-head tightened further.
The Playoff Elimination — Chennai, 24 May 2024
When Sunrisers Hyderabad met Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024, it was the first time these two franchises had faced each other in the knockout stages. The stakes could not have been higher: a place in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders. Playing at the neutral MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Sunrisers dominated from start to finish. Shahbaz Ahmed's all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award as Hyderabad won by 36 runs to end the Royals' season. It remains the only playoff meeting between these sides, and Hyderabad hold a perfect 1-0 record in elimination matches.
Venue Split
| Venue | Meetings | SRH Wins | RR Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad (all variants) | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MCA Stadium, Pune | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Hyderabad is the fortress. Across 6 meetings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (including its Uppal variant), Sunrisers have won 5 and lost just 1 — that sole defeat being the 72-run capitulation in April 2023. The win rate of 83.3% at home makes it the single most decisive venue advantage in this fixture. By contrast, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur — Rajasthan's traditional home — is perfectly split at 2-2 across 4 meetings. The Royals have found more success at neutral venues like Delhi (2 wins from 2 matches across two different stadiums) and Pune and Visakhapatnam (1 win each).
The 2024 Dominance: Sunrisers' Best-Ever Run
The 2023-2025 window represents the most dominant period either side has enjoyed in this fixture. Sunrisers Hyderabad won 4 consecutive matches across these three seasons — including a league-stage match decided by just 1 run, a playoff qualifier won by 36 runs, and a 44-run victory to open the 2025 season. Before this streak, the rivalry had been relatively balanced: Hyderabad led 8-8 after 16 meetings. The current 4-match winning run has pushed the head-to-head to 12-9, the widest gap it has ever been. Three of these four victories came at Hyderabad, reinforcing the home advantage that defines the Sunrisers' approach to this fixture.
What makes this period particularly significant is that it coincided with Sunrisers Hyderabad's broader resurgence as an IPL force in 2024, when they finished the league stage as the top-ranked team before eventually reaching the final. Rajasthan Royals, by contrast, have not beaten the Sunrisers since April 2023 — a drought spanning 4 matches across 3 seasons.
The Rivalry's Place in IPL History
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals fixture occupies a unique space in IPL lore. Neither franchise has the sustained dominance of Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings, yet both have reached IPL finals — Sunrisers winning the title in 2016, Rajasthan Royals triumphing in the inaugural edition of 2008 and reaching the final again in 2022. Between them, they represent the IPL's aspirational middle class: franchises capable of brilliance in any given season but lacking the relentless consistency of the traditional powerhouses. With 21 meetings since 2013, every new IPL season guarantees at least two more chapters in a fixture that has produced everything from 1-run thrillers to 72-run demolitions. The rivalry will be revisited every IPL season, and if history is any guide, it will continue to deliver cricket that rewards nerve, tactics, and the occasional moment of individual genius.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-time SRH vs RR head-to-head record in the IPL?
Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the all-time head-to-head record 12-9 across 21 IPL meetings. The two franchises first met in IPL 2013, and SRH have maintained a winning percentage of 57.1% in the fixture.
What was the biggest victory in SRH vs RR history?
The biggest victory by run margin was Rajasthan Royals' 72-run win in Match 4 of IPL 2023 at Hyderabad, where Jos Buttler was named Player of the Match. The biggest wicket margin belongs to Sunrisers Hyderabad, who won by 9 wickets in Match 4 of IPL 2018 at Hyderabad, with Shikhar Dhawan earning the Player of the Match award.
What was the closest finish between SRH and RR?
The closest finish was a 1-run victory for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 50 of IPL 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's death-over bowling was the difference as Rajasthan Royals fell agonisingly short.
Which venue has hosted the most SRH vs RR matches?
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad (across its various naming conventions) has hosted 6 of the 21 meetings — more than any other venue. Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 5 of those 6 matches, giving them an 83.3% win rate at home in this fixture.
Have SRH and RR ever met in an IPL playoff match?
Yes, once. Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Shahbaz Ahmed was named Player of the Match. It remains the only knockout-stage meeting between these two franchises.
How many IPL titles have SRH and RR won?
Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 1 IPL title (2016). Rajasthan Royals have also won 1 IPL title (2008, the inaugural season). Both franchises have reached the final on additional occasions — Rajasthan Royals in 2022 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024.
Where can I watch SRH vs RR matches live?
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals IPL matches are broadcast live on JioStar across all IPL seasons, with streaming available on the JioCinema platform in India.