Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have produced some of the most entertaining contests in the Indian Premier League. Whenever these two sides meet, there is usually plenty of attacking cricket, aggressive batting, quality bowling and moments that can change the game within a few deliveries.
The rivalry has become particularly interesting because both teams have gone through different phases of rebuilding and reinvention. Rajasthan Royals are one of the original IPL franchises and won the inaugural tournament in 2008, while Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the competition in 2013 and quickly established themselves as a competitive side.
Over the years, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals matches have featured huge totals, dramatic chases, outstanding individual performances and several close finishes. The overall numbers also show that the contest has been competitive, although SRH have built an advantage in the head-to-head record.
By the end of the 2026 season, the two teams had played 24 IPL matches against each other. Sunrisers Hyderabad had won 14, while Rajasthan Royals had won 10. There had been no tied or abandoned matches between them in that record.
This article covers the complete rivalry, including the SRH vs RR head-to-head record, previous matches, match results, major batting and bowling records, memorable games, venue trends, key players and recent encounters.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head Record
The overall Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals head-to-head record currently favors Sunrisers Hyderabad.
After 24 meetings, SRH have won 14 matches compared with 10 victories for RR. That gives Sunrisers a 58.33% winning percentage in the overall record, while Rajasthan’s winning percentage is 41.67%.
| Head-to-Head Record | SRH | RR |
| Matches | 24 | 24 |
| Wins | 14 | 10 |
| Losses | 10 | 14 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage | 58.33% | 41.67% |
This does not mean every period of the rivalry has belonged to SRH. Rajasthan have enjoyed strong spells of dominance, particularly in some of the earlier encounters. Their first meeting in 2013, for example, ended with an eight-wicket victory for Rajasthan.
That match also produced one of the most memorable early individual performances in the rivalry. James Faulkner took 5/20, while Shane Watson smashed 98 from only 53 deliveries.
As the seasons progressed, however, SRH gradually built the stronger overall record.
How the Rivalry Has Changed
The first few SRH vs RR matches were relatively evenly contested. Both sides had different strengths, and individual performances often determined the outcome.
In later seasons, Sunrisers developed a reputation for strong bowling attacks and aggressive top-order batting. Rajasthan, meanwhile, continued to rely heavily on talented young batsmen, experienced campaigners and their ability to score quickly.
The result is a matchup where momentum can change very quickly.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Match History
The SRH vs RR match history goes back to the 2013 IPL season, when Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the tournament.
Their first meeting took place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 27, 2013. Rajasthan Royals won that contest by eight wickets after restricting SRH to 144/9. James Faulkner’s five-wicket haul was the key bowling performance, while Shane Watson’s 98 powered Rajasthan’s chase.
The return fixture in Hyderabad went SRH’s way, with the home side winning by 23 runs. That immediately showed that the rivalry would not simply be controlled by one team.
Across subsequent seasons, the teams met at different venues, including Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Delhi and other IPL locations.
Early Encounters
The early Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals matches often revolved around individual brilliance.
Rajasthan’s experienced players could change games with the bat, while SRH’s bowling unit frequently gave them a route back into contests.
One of the most memorable early bowling performances came from James Faulkner, whose 5/16 remains Rajasthan’s best bowling figures in this matchup according to the franchise’s head-to-head records.
Sunrisers have also produced excellent bowling performances. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/14 against Rajasthan remains the best bowling figures recorded by an SRH bowler in the rivalry.
The Middle Years
As the IPL evolved, the teams continued to produce competitive games.
Some matches were decided by batting collapses, while others turned into high-scoring run chases. The rivalry also became more dependent on powerplay performances because both teams increasingly embraced aggressive T20 batting.
The contrast between strong starts and late-innings finishing became an important feature of these games.
Recent Matches
The recent phase has taken the rivalry to another level.
The 2024 and 2025 meetings included close finishes and huge scores, while the 2026 season produced three particularly notable contests between the sides.
That makes the latest chapter of the rivalry especially important when discussing SRH vs RR previous matches.
SRH vs RR Match Results by Season
The history of SRH vs RR matches becomes easier to understand when looked at season by season.
Rather than focusing only on the final winner, each season shows how the balance between the teams changed.
2013: The Rivalry Begins
Rajasthan won the first meeting by eight wickets in Jaipur. Shane Watson’s 98 and James Faulkner’s five-wicket haul made the result fairly comfortable.
SRH responded by winning the Hyderabad encounter by 23 runs.
The first season therefore ended with both teams showing that they could beat the other.
2014
The teams met in Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan won one contest by four wickets, while Sunrisers responded with a 32-run victory in Ahmedabad.
Again, the rivalry remained balanced.
2015
Rajasthan won by six wickets in Visakhapatnam, while SRH answered with a seven-run win at Brabourne Stadium.
The seven-run result was particularly close and demonstrated how small margins could decide the matchup.
Later Seasons
Over the following years, both franchises experienced changes in personnel, leadership and team strategy.
Rajasthan developed several strong batting combinations, while SRH repeatedly invested in pace bowling and explosive top-order options.
This produced a wide variety of match situations.
Some games were dominated by batsmen, while others were controlled by bowlers.
SRH vs RR Highest Scores
One of the biggest attractions of this rivalry is the number of high-scoring games.
The two sides have regularly featured powerful batting lineups, and modern T20 cricket has pushed their scoring rates even higher.
According to the current head-to-head record, Rajasthan Royals’ highest team score against SRH is 243/8, while Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest score against RR is an extraordinary 286/6.
That SRH total came in 2025 and remains one of the most remarkable batting performances in the history of this matchup.
Rajasthan Royals’ Highest Score
RR’s highest total against Sunrisers is 243/8.
The innings demonstrates how dangerous Rajasthan can become when their top order gets a fast start and the middle order maintains the momentum.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Highest Score
SRH’s record of 286/6 against Rajasthan shows the extreme batting potential of the team.
A total approaching 300 in T20 cricket is rare, and it highlights the aggressive approach that has increasingly become associated with Sunrisers.
Lowest Scores
High totals are only one part of the story.
The rivalry has also produced innings where teams struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets rapidly.
This contrast is one reason why SRH vs RR stats are so interesting. The same matchup can produce either a batting explosion or a dramatic collapse.
SRH vs RR Top Run Scorers
Individual batting performances have always played an important role in the rivalry.
Players who can survive the powerplay and accelerate later often have a major influence on the result.
Rajasthan’s record individual score against SRH belongs to Jos Buttler, who scored 124 in the 2021 season. For Sunrisers, Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 106 is currently the highest individual score against Rajasthan.
These innings demonstrate two very different styles of T20 batting.
Buttler’s ability to attack from the beginning made him particularly dangerous against SRH’s bowlers, while Kishan’s explosive left-handed batting gave Sunrisers another dimension.
What Makes Batting Against These Teams Difficult?
Against SRH, RR batsmen have often had to deal with high-quality pace bowling and pressure during the middle overs.
Against Rajasthan, SRH’s batters have had to manage a bowling attack capable of taking wickets at crucial moments.
This means that simply scoring quickly is not enough. Batters need to choose their moments carefully.
Important Batting Records to Track
For readers following SRH vs RR player stats, the most useful categories include:
- Most career runs in the matchup
- Highest individual score
- Most sixes
- Most fours
- Best strike rate
- Most half-centuries
- Best partnership
- Fastest fifty
- Highest successful chase
These figures can change as new matches are played, making the rivalry’s statistical history an ongoing story.
SRH vs RR Top Wicket-Takers
While batsmen often dominate the headlines, bowling has decided plenty of Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad matches.
James Faulkner’s 5/16 remains Rajasthan’s best bowling performance against SRH. For Sunrisers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/14 is the best bowling figure recorded by an SRH bowler in this matchup.
SRH’s Bowling Strength
Sunrisers have traditionally placed significant importance on pace.
Their bowlers have often attempted to attack the stumps early, restrict scoring during the middle overs and use variations at the death.
This approach can be particularly effective against Rajasthan when their top order loses wickets during the powerplay.
Rajasthan’s Bowling Strength
RR have also produced several dangerous bowling combinations over the years.
Their best performances usually come when their seamers take early wickets and force SRH’s middle order to rebuild rather than attack freely.
The matchup between SRH’s aggressive batters and RR’s wicket-taking bowlers is therefore one of the central tactical battles in these games.
Memorable Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Matches
There have been plenty of memorable encounters, but some stand out because of their scorelines, individual performances or dramatic endings.
The First Meeting in 2013
The inaugural meeting between these teams remains important because it established the rivalry.
Rajasthan won by eight wickets after James Faulkner’s five-wicket haul and Shane Watson’s 98.
It was an excellent example of a team winning through a combination of bowling discipline and explosive batting.
The 2023 Rajasthan Victory
Rajasthan recorded a massive 72-run win against SRH in Hyderabad in 2023.
That remains RR’s biggest victory over SRH in terms of runs at that venue.
It was a reminder that home advantage does not guarantee success in the IPL.
The 2024 Qualifier 2
The 2024 Qualifier 2 was another important meeting because the stakes were far higher than in a regular league game.
SRH won by 36 runs and progressed in the playoffs.
Matches between these teams have therefore not been limited to league-stage competition; the rivalry has also appeared in major knockout moments.
SRH vs RR Matches in Hyderabad
Hyderabad has traditionally provided Sunrisers with an important home advantage.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has hosted several memorable meetings between the teams, including the 2023 contest in which Rajasthan won by 72 runs.
The venue has also witnessed some of the highest-scoring games in the rivalry.
Conditions can reward aggressive stroke-making, particularly when the surface is good for batting. However, bowlers who vary their pace and attack the right areas can still create problems.
For SRH, the key has usually been making the most of the powerplay and putting pressure on RR early.
For Rajasthan, the challenge is to avoid allowing SRH’s batters to settle.
The home environment can make a difference, but recent matches have shown that both teams are capable of winning away from their traditional strongholds.
SRH vs RR Matches in Jaipur
Jaipur is one of Rajasthan Royals’ most important home venues.
The first-ever meeting between these franchises took place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in 2013, with RR winning by eight wickets.
The venue has therefore been part of the rivalry from its very beginning.
Jaipur can reward disciplined bowling, but modern IPL batting has increasingly changed the way teams approach the venue.
The 2026 meeting in Jaipur provided a perfect example. Rajasthan posted 228/6, led by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary 103 from 37 balls, but SRH completed the chase with nine balls remaining, winning by five wickets.
That result showed that even a huge home total is not necessarily safe against this version of Sunrisers.
SRH vs RR Toss and Match Trends
Toss decisions can influence T20 matches, although they do not guarantee victory.
The most important factor is often how quickly a team adapts to the conditions.
Batting First
A team batting first against either SRH or RR needs to make full use of the powerplay.
A score around 200 can create pressure, but recent high-scoring IPL games have shown that even totals above 220 are sometimes chaseable.
Chasing
Chasing has become increasingly important in modern T20 cricket.
The 2026 Jaipur match is a perfect example. RR scored 228/6, but SRH successfully chased the target in only 18.3 overs.
Powerplay
The first six overs can determine the direction of an SRH vs RR match.
Early wickets can slow the scoring rate, while a strong opening partnership can make a 200-plus total much more likely.
Death Overs
The final five overs are often where these matches are won or lost.
Teams need boundary hitters, but they also need players who can rotate the strike when yorkers and slower balls are being used.
Key Players in Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Matches
The list of important players has changed throughout the history of the rivalry.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH have frequently relied on explosive top-order batting combined with aggressive pace bowling.
Players such as Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen have added serious power to the middle and top order, while experienced bowling options have often been responsible for controlling difficult phases.
In the 2026 season, Ishan Kishan produced a memorable 91 from 44 balls against Rajasthan in Hyderabad. He also played a major role in the later Jaipur encounter, scoring 74 from 31 balls.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan have also developed a reputation for producing young batting stars.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became a major talking point in the 2026 rivalry after scoring 103 from 37 balls against SRH in Jaipur.
His 97 from 29 balls in the 2026 Eliminator was even more remarkable, helping Rajasthan defeat SRH by 47 runs.
That performance showed just how quickly an individual player can change the history of an IPL rivalry.
Tactical Battle Between SRH and RR
The tactical side of Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals matches is fascinating because both teams prefer positive cricket.
SRH Batting vs RR Bowling
SRH’s ideal approach is usually aggressive.
Their batters want to score quickly in the powerplay and maintain a high run rate through the middle overs.
RR’s bowlers therefore need to avoid giving easy scoring opportunities.
Early wickets are especially valuable because they prevent SRH from using their deepest batting resources at full freedom.
RR Batting vs SRH Bowling
Rajasthan face a similar challenge.
Their top order can score very quickly, but SRH’s pace attack can punish loose shots.
The 2026 match in Hyderabad illustrated this perfectly. RR collapsed to 9/5 before Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja rebuilt the innings with a 118-run partnership.
Pace vs Spin
The pace-spin combination can determine how the middle overs develop.
Fast bowlers can exploit aggressive batting, while spinners can create pressure when batters are forced to attack.
The team that wins this middle-overs battle often gains control of the entire match.
SRH vs RR Match Scorecards: What to Look For
A scorecard tells much more than just who won.
When checking an SRH vs RR scorecard, fans should look at several important details.
First, check the opening partnership. A strong start often explains why a team reached a huge total.
Next, examine the middle overs. Did the batting side continue scoring or lose wickets?
Bowling figures are equally important. A bowler who takes two or three wickets may have had a bigger impact than someone who simply conceded fewer runs.
Also look at:
- Strike rates
- Economy rates
- Partnership totals
- Extras
- Fall of wickets
- Powerplay score
- Death-over scoring
- Successful chases
- Player of the Match
This approach makes it easier to understand why the result happened rather than simply reading the final score.
Recent SRH vs RR Form
Recent form has made the rivalry even more unpredictable.
In 2026, the teams met three times.
The first meeting was on April 13 in Hyderabad. SRH scored 216/6 and dismissed Rajasthan for 159, winning by 57 runs. Ishan Kishan scored 91, while Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge each took four wickets.
The second meeting came on April 25 in Jaipur.
RR scored 228/6, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making 103 from 37 balls. SRH, however, chased the target successfully, reaching 229/5 in 18.3 overs.
The third meeting was the Eliminator on May 27.
This time Rajasthan turned the tables. They scored 243/8, with Sooryavanshi hitting 97 from just 29 balls, and then bowled SRH out for 196 to win by 47 runs.
These three matches alone show why the rivalry is difficult to predict.
SRH won the first two meetings, but RR won the most important one.
SRH vs RR Upcoming Matches
The IPL schedule can change, so upcoming fixtures should always be checked against the latest official schedule.
The 2026 season provided multiple opportunities for these teams to meet, including matches in Hyderabad, Jaipur and the playoffs.
Because both franchises have strong batting lineups, an upcoming SRH vs RR match is likely to attract attention whenever the fixture is announced.
Fans should watch the following factors before each meeting:
- Current team form
- Opening combinations
- Injury updates
- Playing XI
- Venue conditions
- Toss result
- Recent head-to-head results
- Powerplay performance
- Death-over bowling
These factors can often tell us more about a particular match than the overall historical record.
Frequently Asked Questions About SRH vs RR Matches
How many matches have SRH and RR played against each other?
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have played 24 IPL matches against each other through the 2026 season. SRH have won 14, while RR have won 10.
Who has won more SRH vs RR matches?
Sunrisers Hyderabad have the better overall record. They have won 14 of the 24 meetings, compared with 10 victories for Rajasthan Royals.
What is the highest score in SRH vs RR matches?
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest score against Rajasthan is 286/6. Rajasthan’s highest total against SRH is 243/8.
What is the lowest score in SRH vs RR matches?
Both teams have experienced difficult batting collapses in this rivalry. The lowest-score records can change as new matches are added, so they should be checked against an updated scorecard database when publishing a live statistics article.
Who has scored the most runs in SRH vs RR matches?
Several elite IPL batters have produced major innings in this matchup. Jos Buttler holds Rajasthan’s highest individual score against SRH with 124, while Ishan Kishan has the highest individual score for SRH with an unbeaten 106.
Who has taken the most wickets in SRH vs RR matches?
The rivalry has featured many successful bowlers. James Faulkner recorded Rajasthan’s best bowling figures with 5/16, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced SRH’s best figures of 4/14.
Where are SRH vs RR matches played?
The teams have met at several IPL venues. Hyderabad and Jaipur are their traditional home venues, but their matches have also been played at neutral venues during different IPL seasons.
When was the first SRH vs RR match?
The first meeting took place on April 27, 2013, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals won by eight wickets.
What was the latest SRH vs RR match result?
The latest meeting in the 2026 season was the Eliminator on May 27. Rajasthan Royals defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs after scoring 243/8 and bowling SRH out for 196.
Where can fans check the SRH vs RR scorecard?
Fans can use the official IPL website to check match reports, scorecards, fixtures and tournament information.
Conclusion
The history of Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals matches is a story of changing momentum, explosive batting and memorable bowling performances.
From Rajasthan’s eight-wicket victory in the first meeting in 2013 to SRH’s impressive overall 14–10 advantage after 24 matches, the rivalry has continued to evolve.
The teams have produced everything that makes T20 cricket exciting: huge totals, dramatic collapses, successful run chases, individual masterclasses and high-pressure playoff encounters.
Recent matches have made the contest even more compelling. SRH won the first two meetings against Rajasthan in 2026, but RR responded with a major victory in the Eliminator. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive innings, Ishan Kishan’s aggressive batting and the performances of both teams’ young bowlers showed that this rivalry is entering another interesting phase.
For fans, the best part is that there is rarely a predictable script when these teams meet. A strong total can be chased, a dominant batting lineup can collapse and one outstanding player can completely change the result.
That is why SRH vs RR head-to-head records, match results, player stats and scorecards remain popular topics among IPL followers. Every new encounter adds another chapter to a rivalry that has already produced plenty of memorable cricket.
For the latest official fixtures, match reports and scorecards, readers can check the official IPL website.