Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to reignite their fierce rivalry as they clash in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season on Sunday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The two teams have faced off 20 times in the IPL, with SRH holding a slight advantage, having won 11 matches compared to RR’s 9 victories.
The history between these two franchises has consistently delivered high-octane cricket, with several memorable encounters that have gone down to the wire. RR, the inaugural IPL champions in 2008 under Shane Warne’s inspirational leadership, have struggled to recapture that glory, reaching the final only once since then—finishing as runners-up in 2022 when they lost to Gujarat Titans.
In contrast, SRH, who replaced the defunct Deccan Chargers in 2013, have established themselves as a more consistent performer in the tournament’s recent history. They clinched their maiden title in 2016 under David Warner’s captaincy and have appeared in two finals since, including last season’s runner-up finish against Kolkata Knight Riders.
The 2024 season saw both teams deliver strong campaigns. SRH, under Pat Cummins’ leadership, finished as runners-up after a remarkable season highlighted by their record-breaking batting performances. RR, despite a mid-season slump, secured third place but were ultimately eliminated by SRH in Qualifier 2.
In their most recent encounters last season, SRH completed a clean sweep against the Royals. Their first victory came in a nail-biting league phase encounter where they edged out RR by the narrowest of margins—just one run. The second clash, in Qualifier 2, saw SRH produce a clinical performance to secure a comfortable 36-run victory, effectively ending RR’s campaign while booking their own place in the final. This recent dominance gives SRH a significant psychological edge heading into Sunday’s contest.
The Sunrisers enter the 2025 campaign with arguably the most explosive batting lineup in the tournament. The opening partnership of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma terrorized bowling attacks last season, while the middle order featuring Heinrich Klaasen and new acquisition Ishan Kishan provides unmatched firepower. SRH created IPL history last season by posting totals exceeding 250 runs on three separate occasions, including an unprecedented 287 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Abhishek Sharma’s evolution into a world-class power-hitter has been particularly noteworthy. The young left-hander’s confidence has soared after his remarkable 135 off just 54 balls against England in a T20I earlier this year, which included 12 sixes. The return of promising India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from injury further strengthens their already formidable batting resources.
SRH’s bowling department appears equally impressive with captain Pat Cummins leading from the front. The addition of veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami provides them with significant new-ball threat, while Adam Zampa offers control through the middle overs. The Hyderabad pitch has traditionally favored batting, and with their firepower, SRH will back themselves whether setting or chasing targets.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, face an uphill battle with several key personnel missing for the season opener. Most notably, captain Sanju Samson is sidelined with a finger injury, forcing 22-year-old Riyan Parag to take on leadership responsibilities despite his limited captaincy experience. The absence of Jos Buttler, who departed for personal reasons, leaves a massive void at the top of the order.
The Royals will rely heavily on young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal to provide strong starts, supported by power-hitters Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, and new acquisition Nitish Rana. Their bowling attack will be spearheaded by the returning Jofra Archer, whose express pace could trouble SRH’s aggressive batters. However, concerns remain about their bowling depth, particularly in the spin department, which could be exploited on Hyderabad’s batting-friendly surface.
Given SRH’s superior recent record, home advantage, and a full-strength squad contrasted against a depleted Rajasthan unit, the Hyderabad-based franchise appears well-positioned to start their campaign with a victory. However, IPL cricket has consistently demonstrated its unpredictable nature, and the Royals—with their backs against the wall—could spring a surprise.