Introduction: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage for thrilling rivalries, but few matchups have captured fan imagination like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Since SRH’s entry in 2013, every encounter between these two franchises has delivered drama, power-packed innings, and unforgettable moments. From Virat Kohli’s elegant strokeplay to David Warner’s explosive starts, this rivalry has blended strategic battles with individual brilliance.
With passionate fanbases, contrasting team philosophies, and high-stakes playoff implications, SRH vs RCB matches are always highly anticipated. This article explores their complete IPL history from 2013 through the projected 2025 season, including detailed stats, season-by-season analysis, and key insights into why this matchup remains one of the most compelling in T20 cricket.
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Rivalry
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline began in 2013, the year SRH replaced the Deccan Chargers in the IPL. While RCB had been a part of the league since 2008, the entry of SRH added fresh competitiveness and a unique tactical challenge. Both teams represent major tech and cultural hubs in India—Hyderabad and Bengaluru—and their matches often carry a sense of regional pride alongside sporting stakes.
RCB has traditionally relied on its star-studded batting line-up, featuring legends like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Faf du Plessis, while SRH built its identity around disciplined bowling and explosive openers such as David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. Over the years, encounters have featured thrilling finishes, tactical masterclasses, and record-breaking performances, creating a rivalry that combines consistency, drama, and unpredictability.
Early Encounters (2013–2015)
2013: A Dramatic Debut
The first SRH vs RCB clash in Hyderabad was nothing short of spectacular. Both teams scored 130 runs, resulting in a rare Super Over. SRH’s nerve under pressure, led by Dale Steyn’s death bowling, secured victory and set the tone for a fierce rivalry.
A few weeks later in Bengaluru, RCB bounced back with a 7-wicket win, powered by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 72. These early encounters highlighted the contrasting strengths of the two teams—SRH with tactical bowling depth and RCB with star power in batting. Even though both teams missed the playoffs that year, their head-to-head battles hinted at a rivalry destined for high drama.
2014: SRH’s Dominance in the UAE
The 2014 IPL was held in the UAE due to Indian elections, offering unique conditions for pitches and climate. SRH adapted quickly, posting 161/7 in their sole encounter, powered by David Warner’s 67 off 43 balls. RCB’s chase faltered, ending at 145 all out.
This 16-run victory demonstrated SRH’s growing strength in building totals on slower pitches, and marked the start of their dominance in this rivalry. By the end of 2014, SRH had started to carve a psychological edge over RCB.
2015: RCB Strikes Back
The 2015 season saw RCB regain momentum. In Bengaluru, AB de Villiers’ 44-ball 71 powered RCB to a 9-wicket victory after restricting SRH to 125. The return fixture in Hyderabad was more dramatic: chasing 162, RCB was struggling at 49/4 before Virat Kohli (70*) and de Villiers (46*) stitched a match-winning partnership.
RCB won by 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare, completing a season sweep against SRH. By the end of 2015, the head-to-head record stood at 3–3, highlighting the balanced and fiercely competitive nature of this rivalry.
Mid-Decade Battles (2016–2019)
2016: Championship Year for SRH
The 2016 season was historic for SRH, who lifted their maiden IPL trophy. In their first meeting in Bengaluru, SRH chased 174 with ease, thanks to Warner’s 89 and Shikhar Dhawan’s 43. In the return match in Hyderabad, SRH bowled RCB out for 103, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking 4/17 and guiding SRH to a 34-run DLS victory.
These matches highlighted SRH’s all-round strength—explosive openers, a dependable middle order, and a lethal pace attack. The 2016 IPL Final, played in Bengaluru, was another defining moment, where SRH successfully defended 208/7 to win by 8 runs, cementing their dominance over RCB in crucial matches.
2017: Kohli’s Counterattack
RCB struggled overall in 2017 but excelled in their SRH encounters. In Hyderabad, Kohli scored an unbeaten 81 to chase 146 with 12 balls remaining. The return match in Bengaluru saw RCB bowl SRH out for 143, winning by 7 wickets, powered by de Villiers’ 55*.
These victories ended SRH’s dominance and restored parity, leaving the head-to-head record at 5–5, a testament to the unpredictable and competitive nature of their encounters.
2018: High-Scoring Thrillers
The 2018 season produced two breathtaking high-scoring matches.
- In Bengaluru, SRH scored 219/4, with Warner (67) and Manish Pandey (61*) anchoring the innings. RCB’s chase fell short at 213/6 despite Kohli’s 75 and de Villiers’ 70, giving SRH a narrow 6-run win.
- The return match in Hyderabad saw RCB chase 195 with 3 balls remaining, with Moeen Ali scoring 84* and Kohli contributing 51.
These matches emphasized modern T20 strategies, including aggressive powerplays, sharp running between wickets, and death-over hitting.
2019: SRH Reclaims Control
In 2019, SRH reasserted their dominance with two significant wins.
- In Hyderabad, Warner and Bairstow’s 131-run opening stand paved the way for a 118-run demolition of RCB—the largest margin in their head-to-head history.
- In Bengaluru, SRH scored 183/4, defending it successfully with Rashid Khan taking 3/20, winning by 16 runs.
By the end of 2019, SRH led the rivalry 9–7, reflecting their effective combination of explosive batting and strategic bowling.
Recent Clashes (2020–2025)
2020: Bubble Battles in UAE
With IPL 2020 held in the UAE due to the pandemic, SRH posted 163/5 against RCB, anchored by Kane Williamson. RCB fought back with Devdutt Padikkal (56) and AB de Villiers (52*), but SRH’s disciplined bowling secured a 10-run victory.
This match demonstrated SRH’s ability to maintain tactical discipline in high-pressure conditions, even in neutral venues.
2021: RCB’s Redemption
Two SRH vs RCB fixtures in 2021 highlighted RCB’s resurgence.
- In Chennai, RCB chased 142 with 7 wickets in hand, led by Kohli’s 72*.
- In Abu Dhabi, Glenn Maxwell’s 50 and de Villiers’ 48* guided RCB to a 6-wicket win.
RCB completed a rare season sweep, showcasing improved team balance and collective performance.
2022: SRH’s Bowling Masterclass
In 2022, SRH’s pace attack dominated.
- Pune: Umran Malik took 3/23, helping SRH bowl RCB out for 125, leading to a 9-wicket rout.
- Mumbai: SRH defended 187, winning by 4 runs, with Kane Williamson anchoring the innings.
SRH’s young talent and tactical bowling restored their dominance, tilting the rivalry back in Hyderabad’s favor (11–9).
2023: The Warner Return
David Warner’s return to SRH in 2023 added emotional weight.
- Hyderabad: SRH scored 186/5; RCB fell short by 22 runs despite Kohli’s 61.
- Bengaluru: SRH won by 5 runs, with T Natarajan delivering a decisive final-over spell.
SRH’s improved middle order and death bowling highlighted their evolution, taking the head-to-head to 13–9.
2024: RCB’s Revival
RCB responded with two dominant wins:
- Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (78*) and Rajat Patidar (62) chased 178 comfortably.
- Hyderabad: Mohammed Siraj took 4/19, bowling SRH out for 139.
RCB narrowed SRH’s lead to 13–11, demonstrating the rivalry’s continuing competitiveness.
2025 (Projected)
Two fixtures are scheduled: one in Hyderabad and one in Bengaluru. Both teams rely on young Indian talent—SRH with Abhishek Sharma, RCB with Rajat Patidar—alongside their experienced cores. The matches are expected to be close, adding further chapters to this enduring rivalry.
Head-to-Head Timeline Table (2013–2025)
| Year | Match | Venue | Winner | Margin / Highlights | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | Hyderabad | SRH | Super Over | Dale Steyn |
| 2013 | 2 | Bengaluru | RCB | 7 Wickets | Virat Kohli |
| 2014 | 3 | Dubai | SRH | 16 Runs | David Warner |
| 2015 | 4 | Bengaluru | RCB | 9 Wickets | AB de Villiers |
| 2015 | 5 | Hyderabad | RCB | 6 Wickets | Virat Kohli |
| 2016 | 6 | Bengaluru | SRH | 6 Wickets | David Warner |
| 2016 | 7 | Hyderabad | SRH | 34 Runs (DLS) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| 2017 | 8 | Hyderabad | RCB | 7 Wickets | Virat Kohli |
| 2017 | 9 | Bengaluru | RCB | 7 Wickets | AB de Villiers |
| 2018 | 10 | Bengaluru | SRH | 6 Runs | David Warner |
| 2018 | 11 | Hyderabad | RCB | 3 Balls Remaining | Moeen Ali |
| 2019 | 12 | Hyderabad | SRH | 118 Runs | David Warner |
| 2019 | 13 | Bengaluru | SRH | 16 Runs | Rashid Khan |
| 2020 | 14 | Dubai | SRH | 10 Runs | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| 2021 | 15 | Chennai | RCB | 7 Wickets | Virat Kohli |
| 2021 | 16 | Abu Dhabi | RCB | 6 Wickets | Glenn Maxwell |
| 2022 | 17 | Pune | SRH | 9 Wickets | Umran Malik |
| 2022 | 18 | Mumbai | SRH | 4 Runs | Kane Williamson |
| 2023 | 19 | Hyderabad | SRH | 22 Runs | David Warner |
| 2023 | 20 | Bengaluru | SRH | 5 Runs | T Natarajan |
| 2024 | 21 | Bengaluru | RCB | 8 Wickets | Faf du Plessis |
| 2024 | 22 | Hyderabad | RCB | 47 Runs | Mohammed Siraj |
| 2025 | 23 | Hyderabad | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | 24 | Bengaluru | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Head-to-Head Statistics
- Total Matches Completed (up to 2024): 22
- SRH Wins: 13 (59.09%)
- RCB Wins: 9 (40.91%)
SRH dominates at home, winning 7 out of 10 matches in Hyderabad, while RCB performs best at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, winning 6 out of 10. The average first-innings score is 168, with the highest total being SRH’s 219 in 2018.
Win-Loss Table
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRH | 22 | 13 | 9 | 59.09% |
| RCB | 22 | 9 | 13 | 40.91% |
Key Players in the Rivalry
SRH: David Warner, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Umran Malik, Kane Williamson
RCB: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Mohammed Siraj
These players have shaped the narratives, producing game-winning performances and tactical masterclasses that define this rivalry.
Most Memorable Matches
- 2013 Super Over: SRH’s nerve under pressure set the tone for the rivalry.
- 2018 Bengaluru Thriller: Both sides scored over 210; SRH won by 6 runs.
- 2019 Hyderabad Rout: SRH’s 118-run demolition highlighted opening dominance.
- 2023 Bengaluru Nail-Biter: T Natarajan’s final-over heroics sealed a 5-run win for SRH.
Future Expectations
With young talent emerging and both teams strategizing for playoffs, future encounters promise high stakes. Tactical duels in powerplays, death overs, and spin battles will define the next chapters of this rivalry.
Conclusion
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline (2013–2025) captures the essence of the IPL: dynamic, unpredictable, and exciting. From Super Overs to record-breaking totals, from Warner’s sixes to Kohli’s elegant cover drives, this rivalry blends legacy, innovation, and emotion. While SRH holds a slight edge, RCB’s resilience ensures that every clash is fiercely competitive. As new stars emerge and strategies evolve, fans can expect even more edge-of-the-seat moments in this marquee IPL fixture.
