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The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru rivalry has become one of the most entertaining matchups in the Indian Premier League. Their contests have regularly featured huge totals, dramatic chases, dominant bowling spells and close finishes.
The rivalry began when Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the IPL in 2013. Over the years, the two franchises have produced several memorable encounters, including playoff battles, record-breaking batting performances and extraordinary high-scoring games.
The 2024 season produced one of the most remarkable matches in IPL history, when Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In 2026, the teams again exchanged victories, with RCB winning the opening meeting before SRH responded with a 55-run victory in Hyderabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
| Year | Match/Event | Result | Major Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | First IPL meeting | RCB won | RCB began the rivalry with a five-wicket victory |
| 2014 | League meeting | SRH won | Sunrisers defended a modest total |
| 2015 | League meeting | SRH won | Hyderabad continued its strong home record |
| 2016 | League meeting | RCB won | RCB’s batting dominated |
| 2017 | League meeting | SRH won | Hyderabad produced a comfortable victory |
| 2018 | League meeting | SRH won | SRH restricted RCB’s chase |
| 2019 | League meeting | SRH won | David Warner starred for Hyderabad |
| 2020 | League meeting | SRH won | SRH won a low-margin contest |
| 2020 | Eliminator | SRH won | Hyderabad knocked RCB out of the playoffs |
| 2021 | League meeting | RCB won | RCB defended 149 |
| 2021 | League meeting | SRH won | SRH won by four runs |
| 2022 | League meeting | SRH won | RCB were bowled out for 68 |
| 2022 | League meeting | RCB won | RCB responded with 192/3 |
| 2023 | League meeting | RCB won | RCB chased 187 with eight wickets in hand |
| 2024 | League meeting | SRH won | SRH scored 287/3, an IPL record at the time |
| 2024 | League meeting | RCB won | RCB won by 35 runs |
| 2025 | League meeting | SRH won | SRH won by 42 runs |
| 2026 | Match 1 | RCB won | RCB chased 202 in 15.4 overs |
| 2026 | Match 67 | SRH won | SRH scored 255/4 and won by 55 runs |
The timeline illustrates how frequently the momentum has shifted between the two teams. IPL’s official head-to-head listing records a 5-5 split across the latest 10 completed meetings after the 2026 season.
2013: The Rivalry Begins
Sunrisers Hyderabad made their IPL debut in 2013, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru became one of their early opponents.
The first meeting established a competitive relationship that would develop significantly over the following decade.
RCB won the early encounter, but neither team’s dominance lasted for long. Sunrisers quickly established themselves as a difficult opponent, particularly when their bowling attack was able to exploit slower pitches.
2014–2015: Sunrisers Build Momentum
During the next two seasons, SRH began collecting important victories against RCB.
The contests were generally lower-scoring than the extraordinary games that would later define the rivalry. Hyderabad’s bowling attack often played a central role, while RCB relied heavily on its star batting lineup.
These early encounters established a pattern that would remain familiar throughout the rivalry: RCB could produce enormous batting totals, while SRH often countered through aggressive pace bowling and disciplined middle overs.
2016: RCB’s High-Scoring Era
The 2016 season marked a major turning point for RCB.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had an exceptional batting campaign, with Virat Kohli producing one of the greatest individual IPL seasons ever recorded. AB de Villiers also played a major role in RCB’s run to the final.
The rivalry with SRH took on additional significance because the two teams would eventually meet in the 2016 IPL final.
2016 IPL Final: SRH Win the Championship
The 2016 final remains one of the most important matches in the history of this rivalry.
Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and posted 208/7.
David Warner led the innings with a brilliant 69 from 38 balls, while contributions from Yuvraj Singh and Ben Cutting pushed SRH beyond 200.
RCB mounted a serious chase, with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli providing a rapid opening partnership.
However, wickets in the middle overs changed the contest.
RCB finished on 200/7, giving Sunrisers Hyderabad an eight-run victory and their first IPL championship.
The final transformed the matchup from an ordinary league rivalry into one associated with a major IPL title decider.
2017–2019: SRH Holds the Upper Hand
Sunrisers Hyderabad remained a difficult opponent for RCB during the following seasons.
David Warner was particularly effective in this fixture, combining aggressive Powerplay batting with the ability to construct long innings.
RCB continued to produce individual brilliance, but SRH’s bowling attack repeatedly made run-scoring difficult.
By the end of the decade, the rivalry had already featured several contrasting styles:
- RCB’s explosive top-order batting
- SRH’s pace-heavy bowling
- Warner’s aggressive opening
- Kohli’s consistency
- Close finishes in the middle overs
2020: Another Playoff Meeting
The teams met again in the playoffs during the 2020 IPL season.
RCB finished fourth in the league stage, while SRH reached the playoffs after a late-season surge.
The Eliminator was played in Abu Dhabi.
RCB scored 131/7.
SRH successfully chased the target, reaching 132/4, and won by six wickets.
The result eliminated RCB from the tournament and sent Hyderabad into Qualifier 2.
It was another important playoff chapter in the rivalry.
2021: Two Very Different Matches
The 2021 season produced two contrasting encounters.
April 14, 2021
RCB scored 149/8.
SRH replied with 143/9.
RCB won by six runs.
It was a classic low-margin IPL finish, with Hyderabad falling just short of the target.
October 6, 2021
SRH reversed the result.
RCB scored 137/6, while SRH made 141/7.
Sunrisers won by four runs.
The two matches therefore demonstrated just how narrow the gap between the teams could be.
2022: RCB Bowled Out for 68
The April 23, 2022 meeting became one of the most one-sided games in the rivalry.
RCB were dismissed for just 68.
SRH chased the target in only 8.0 overs, reaching 72/1.
Sunrisers won by nine wickets.
The match became particularly memorable because RCB’s normally powerful batting lineup completely collapsed.
2022: RCB Responds With 192/3
A few weeks later, the teams produced the opposite kind of contest.
RCB scored 192/3.
SRH were bowled out for 125.
RCB won by 67 runs, one of their largest victories against Hyderabad.
The two 2022 matches therefore produced an extraordinary contrast:
| Match | RCB | SRH | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2022 | 68 all out | 72/1 | SRH won by 9 wickets |
| May 8, 2022 | 192/3 | 125 all out | RCB won by 67 runs |
2023: RCB Wins in Hyderabad
The 2023 meeting at Hyderabad produced another strong RCB performance.
SRH made 186/5 from 20 overs.
RCB responded with 187/2, reaching the target with eight wickets remaining.
Virat Kohli scored a century during the chase, while Faf du Plessis provided strong support at the top of the order.
RCB’s ability to chase a target approaching 190 with only two wickets lost demonstrated how dangerous its top order could be when it established a partnership early.
2024: The Record-Breaking 287/3
The April 15, 2024 match became perhaps the most famous regular-season encounter between these teams.
Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and produced an extraordinary 287/3.
Travis Head scored 102 from 41 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen added a devastating unbeaten 67.
Abhishek Sharma also contributed 34.
SRH’s 287/3 became the highest team total in IPL history at that point.
RCB responded with 262/7.
Despite the defeat, RCB’s 262 was itself an enormous score and demonstrated the extraordinary batting quality of the contest.
Sunrisers won by 25 runs.
2024 Match Statistics
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| SRH score | 287/3 |
| RCB score | 262/7 |
| Combined runs | 549 |
| SRH margin | 25 runs |
| Travis Head | 102 |
| Highest SRH total | 287/3 |
The combined 549 runs made the match one of the highest-scoring games in IPL history.
2024: RCB Gets Revenge
The teams met again on April 25, 2024.
This time RCB controlled the contest.
RCB scored 206/7.
SRH managed 171/8.
RCB won by 35 runs.
The result gave RCB a response only 10 days after the extraordinary 287-run SRH performance.
2025: SRH Wins by 42 Runs
The May 23, 2025 encounter continued the pattern of alternating dominance.
Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 231/6.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were dismissed for 189.
SRH won by 42 runs.
The result extended Hyderabad’s recent advantage in the matchup and provided another example of the team’s ability to build a large total and then defend it.
2026: RCB Wins the Season Opener
The first meeting of the 2026 IPL season was played on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
SRH batted first and scored 201/9.
RCB chased the target in only 15.4 overs, reaching 203/4.
RCB won by six wickets with 26 balls remaining.
Jacob Duffy was named Player of the Match after taking 3/22.
The official IPL report noted that Duffy removed Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy during the Powerplay, helping RCB control the innings before Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen rebuilt the SRH total.
May 2026: SRH Responds With 255/4
The second 2026 meeting was another high-scoring contest.
Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and scored 255/4.
RCB replied with 200/4.
SRH won by 55 runs.
Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match after scoring 79 from 46 balls. Abhishek Sharma also made an explosive contribution, scoring 56 from 22 balls.
The result gave SRH a 1-1 split with RCB in their 2026 league meetings.
2026 Match Comparison
| Match | SRH | RCB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | 201/9 | 203/4 | RCB by 6 wickets |
| May 22, 2026 | 255/4 | 200/4 | SRH by 55 runs |
The two games showed the contrasting nature of the rivalry. RCB won the first by chasing 202 in just 15.4 overs, while SRH won the return match after posting 255/4.
Head-to-Head Record
The exact historical total can vary depending on whether records are grouped by franchise names and the statistical database being used. IPL.com’s current head-to-head listing shows the teams split 5-5 across their last 10 completed meetings after the 2026 season.
Their recent sequence is:
| Date | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | RCB | 6 wickets |
| May 22, 2026 | SRH | 55 runs |
| May 23, 2025 | SRH | 42 runs |
| April 25, 2024 | RCB | 35 runs |
| April 15, 2024 | SRH | 25 runs |
| May 18, 2023 | RCB | 8 wickets |
| May 8, 2022 | RCB | 67 runs |
| April 23, 2022 | SRH | 9 wickets |
| October 6, 2021 | SRH | 4 runs |
| April 14, 2021 | RCB | 6 runs |
Highest-Scoring Matches
The rivalry has repeatedly produced enormous totals.
| Date | SRH | RCB | Combined Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2024 | 287/3 | 262/7 | 549 |
| May 22, 2026 | 255/4 | 200/4 | 455 |
| May 23, 2025 | 231/6 | 189 all out | 420 |
| March 28, 2026 | 201/9 | 203/4 | 404 |
The 2024 contest remains the standout run-fest, with 549 combined runs.
Biggest Wins in the Rivalry
The teams have produced victories by very different margins.
SRH’s major victories
- SRH won by 55 runs in May 2026.
- SRH won by 42 runs in May 2025.
- SRH won by 67 runs in May 2022.
- SRH won by 25 runs in April 2024.
- SRH won by 9 wickets in April 2022.
RCB’s major victories
- RCB won by 67 runs in May 2022.
- RCB won by 35 runs in April 2024.
- RCB won by 8 wickets in May 2023.
- RCB won by 6 wickets in March 2026.
The 2022 season was particularly unusual because each side produced a very large victory against the other within a matter of weeks.
Most Memorable Batting Performances
Several individual innings have become closely associated with this fixture.
Travis Head — 102 off 41
Head’s century in 2024 was one of the defining innings of the record-breaking 287/3.
His strike rate was above 248, helping SRH establish an enormous total.
Ishan Kishan — 79 off 46
Kishan’s 79 in May 2026 provided the foundation for SRH’s 255/4.
He was named Player of the Match for the performance.
Abhishek Sharma — 56 off 22
Abhishek’s 56 came at a strike rate of more than 254 in the May 2026 meeting.
His Powerplay hitting helped SRH establish the momentum required to reach 255.
Most Memorable Bowling Performances
Bowling has occasionally been overshadowed by the huge totals, but several spells have decided this fixture.
Jacob Duffy’s 3/22 in the 2026 season opener was particularly important because his wickets came during the Powerplay.
On the other side, SRH’s bowling attack produced the remarkable RCB collapse to 68 in 2022.
These performances demonstrate why this rivalry cannot be understood only through batting statistics.
Major Milestones
| Milestone | Match |
|---|---|
| First IPL meetings | 2013 |
| First IPL final between the teams | 2016 |
| SRH win in 2016 final | SRH won by 8 runs |
| RCB bowled out for 68 | April 23, 2022 |
| RCB made 192/3 | May 8, 2022 |
| SRH scored 287/3 | April 15, 2024 |
| RCB scored 262/7 in same match | April 15, 2024 |
| RCB won by 35 runs | April 25, 2024 |
| SRH won by 42 runs | May 23, 2025 |
| RCB chased 202 in 15.4 overs | March 28, 2026 |
| SRH scored 255/4 | May 22, 2026 |
Why the SRH vs RCB Rivalry Is So Entertaining
Few IPL fixtures have produced such dramatic swings in scoring.
One meeting can be a low-scoring thriller, while the next can produce more than 500 combined runs.
The teams also have contrasting historical identities. RCB have traditionally been associated with elite top-order batting, while SRH have repeatedly built strong bowling attacks around fast bowlers and aggressive opening batsmen.
That contrast has produced a long list of memorable matches.
The 2024 season perhaps captured the rivalry perfectly: SRH scored 287/3, RCB responded with 262/7, and the match still ended with a 25-run margin.
FAQs
When did Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first meet?
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first met in the IPL in 2013, shortly after SRH entered the competition.
What is the highest-scoring SRH vs RCB match?
The highest-scoring meeting came on April 15, 2024, when SRH scored 287/3 and RCB replied with 262/7. The two teams combined for 549 runs.
What happened in the SRH vs RCB 2016 final?
Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 208/7 and then restricted RCB to 200/7. SRH won by eight runs to claim their first IPL championship.
What was the biggest RCB collapse against SRH?
RCB were bowled out for 68 against SRH on April 23, 2022. SRH chased the target in only 8.0 overs and won by nine wickets.
Who won the latest SRH vs RCB match?
The latest completed meeting in the 2026 IPL season was on May 22, 2026. Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 255/4 and defeated RCB by 55 runs. Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match for his 79 from 46 balls.
Conclusion
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline is filled with dramatic changes in momentum, extraordinary batting performances and memorable playoff encounters.
The rivalry reached an early peak with the 2016 IPL final, when SRH defeated RCB by eight runs to win their first title. It later produced one of its most extreme contrasts in 2022, when SRH bowled RCB out for 68 before RCB responded with 192/3 in the return fixture.
The 2024 season delivered the rivalry’s defining run-fest, with SRH making 287/3 and RCB answering with 262/7. In 2025 and 2026, the pattern continued, with both teams recording significant victories.
The latest 2026 season provided another split: RCB chased 202 to win by six wickets in March, while SRH responded with 255/4 and a 55-run victory in May.
