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The rivalry between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has become one of the Indian Premier League’s most entertaining contests. Since Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the IPL in 2013, the two franchises have produced memorable matches featuring dramatic finishes, record-breaking batting displays, world-class bowling performances, and even an IPL final. From David Warner and AB de Villiers to Virat Kohli, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Pat Cummins, several cricket stars have played defining roles in this rivalry. This article presents the complete timeline, memorable encounters, important milestones, tournament meetings, historic wins, record-breaking performances, recent matches, and head-to-head record between these two IPL teams.
Match Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru met for the first time after SRH joined the IPL. SRH won the opening encounter through a Super Over before RCB claimed victory in the reverse fixture. |
| 2014 | Both teams won one league match each, continuing a closely fought rivalry. |
| 2015 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured an important league victory with strong batting performances. |
| 2016 | The rivalry reached its biggest stage when the teams met in the IPL Final. Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated RCB by 8 runs to win their maiden IPL title. |
| 2017 | One match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain, while SRH won the other fixture. |
| 2018 | The teams shared one victory each during another competitive season. |
| 2019 | Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their strong home performances against RCB. |
| 2020 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed a league double over Sunrisers Hyderabad before losing to SRH in the Eliminator. |
| 2021 | RCB secured another important victory during the league stage. |
| 2022 | RCB bowled out Sunrisers Hyderabad for just 68, one of SRH’s lowest IPL totals. |
| 2023 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru comfortably defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad to strengthen their playoff hopes. |
| 2024 | The teams produced one of the greatest batting spectacles in IPL history. Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 287 for 3, the highest IPL total at the time, before defeating RCB despite a brilliant chase. RCB later won the reverse fixture. |
| 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad finished the season with an impressive victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. |
Memorable Encounters
The first meeting in 2013
The rivalry began with an exciting Super Over victory for Sunrisers Hyderabad. It immediately established the competitive nature of the fixture.
The unforgettable IPL Final in 2016
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru met in the IPL Final at Bengaluru. David Warner led SRH to a challenging total before the bowlers held off a powerful RCB batting lineup. Sunrisers lifted their first IPL trophy with an eight-run victory.
The Eliminator in 2020
Sunrisers Hyderabad knocked Royal Challengers Bengaluru out of the tournament with a disciplined bowling performance, ending RCB’s playoff campaign.
The record-breaking match in 2024
Sunrisers Hyderabad smashed 287 for 3, which became the highest team total in IPL history at that time. Royal Challengers Bengaluru responded with 262 for 7, making it one of the highest-scoring matches ever played in franchise T20 cricket.
Important Milestones
Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the IPL in 2013 and immediately formed a competitive rivalry with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The 2016 IPL Final remains the most significant meeting between the franchises.
Sunrisers Hyderabad became IPL champions for the first time in 2016.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru recorded one of the most dominant victories in the rivalry by dismissing SRH for only 68 in 2022.
The 2024 clash rewrote IPL batting records with a combined total of 549 runs.
Tournament Meetings
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| IPL 2013 | SRH won first meeting, RCB won second |
| IPL 2016 League Stage | One win each |
| IPL 2016 Final | Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 8 runs |
| IPL 2020 Eliminator | Sunrisers Hyderabad won |
| IPL 2024 | One win each |
The IPL Final in 2016 remains the most prestigious match between the two franchises.
Historic Wins
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victory in the 2016 IPL Final remains the greatest achievement in the rivalry.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory in 2022, bowling SRH out for just 68, demonstrated complete dominance.
The 2024 high-scoring encounter showcased the evolution of aggressive T20 batting and broke multiple IPL records.
Several matches between these teams have directly influenced playoff qualification.
Record-Breaking Performances
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| First Match | IPL 2013 |
| Most Famous Match | IPL Final 2016 |
| Highest Team Total | Sunrisers Hyderabad 287/3 |
| Highest Team Total by RCB | 262/7 |
| Lowest Team Total | Sunrisers Hyderabad 68 |
| Most Runs in the Rivalry | Virat Kohli |
| Most Runs for SRH | David Warner |
| Most Wickets for RCB | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| Most Wickets for SRH | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
The rivalry has featured several batting masterclasses from Virat Kohli, David Warner, AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen, and Travis Head, while bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal have produced match-winning spells.
Recent Matches
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| IPL 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| IPL 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| IPL 2023 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| IPL 2022 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
The recent meetings have produced high-scoring contests and frequent shifts in momentum, making this one of the IPL’s most unpredictable rivalries.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | Sunrisers Hyderabad Wins | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 14 | 11 | 1 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a slight overall advantage, although Royal Challengers Bengaluru have enjoyed success in several important league matches.
Major Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| First Meeting | IPL 2013 |
| Most Successful Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Highest Team Total | 287/3 by Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Highest Match Aggregate | 549 Runs |
| Lowest Team Total | Sunrisers Hyderabad 68 |
| Most Runs | Virat Kohli |
| Most Runs for SRH | David Warner |
| Most Wickets | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won more matches between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a narrow lead in the overall head-to-head record with more victories than Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
What is the most famous match between SRH and RCB?
The IPL 2016 Final is the most memorable meeting, where Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win their first IPL championship.
What is the highest team score in this rivalry?
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 287 for 3 in the 2024 IPL season is the highest total recorded between the two teams.
Who has scored the most runs in the rivalry?
Virat Kohli is the leading run scorer in matches between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Why is this rivalry popular?
The rivalry features elite players, dramatic finishes, an IPL Final, playoff encounters, and some of the highest-scoring matches in IPL history, making it one of the league’s most exciting fixtures.
Conclusion
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline highlights one of the IPL’s most exciting rivalries. From the first Super Over in 2013 to the unforgettable IPL Final in 2016 and the record-breaking batting display in 2024, every era has delivered memorable moments. Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a slight edge in the overall record, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have consistently challenged them with powerful batting and competitive performances. With both franchises continuing to feature world-class players, this rivalry promises many more thrilling chapters in future IPL seasons.
