The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline is packed with dramatic finishes, huge totals, playoff battles and some of the most memorable matches in IPL history. Since their first meeting in 2013, SRH and RCB have developed a rivalry that has repeatedly produced close contests as well as extraordinary batting performances.
The rivalry began with an unforgettable Super Over in Hyderabad. The regulation match ended level at 130, before Cameron White’s two sixes and Dale Steyn’s Super Over helped Sunrisers Hyderabad win their first-ever IPL meeting with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Since then, the two franchises have met in league matches, an IPL final, a playoff eliminator and several record-breaking run-fests. The 2016 IPL final remains the biggest chapter in the rivalry, while the 2024 meeting at Bengaluru produced 549 runs, including SRH’s then-record 287/3.
The rivalry has continued into the current era. In IPL 2026, RCB defeated SRH by six wickets in Bengaluru before SRH responded with a 55-run victory in Hyderabad.
This article covers the complete SRH vs RCB match history, including the season-wise timeline, head-to-head record, famous matches, highest scores, major players and important records.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Teams | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| First IPL meeting | 2013 |
| First meeting venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| First meeting result | SRH won via Super Over |
| Major final | IPL 2016 Final |
| Highest SRH score | 287/3 |
| Highest RCB score | 262/7 |
| Famous high-scoring match | SRH 287/3 vs RCB 262/7, 2024 |
| 2026 opener | RCB won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 return fixture | SRH won by 55 runs |
| Latest completed meeting | SRH won by 55 runs in 2026 |
The first meeting is particularly important because the regulation match was tied at 130 each. SRH then scored 20 in the Super Over, with Cameron White hitting two sixes, while Dale Steyn restricted RCB to 15.
Also read this: England Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Stats | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Timeline | Sai Sudharsan
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2013
The First-Ever SRH vs RCB Match
The SRH vs RCB rivalry could hardly have started in a more dramatic way.
On April 7, 2013, the newly formed Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. RCB batted first and scored 130/8, with Virat Kohli making 46 and Moises Henriques scoring 44. SRH then also finished on 130/7, forcing the first Super Over between the two teams.
Cameron White became the hero for SRH in the Super Over. He smashed two sixes off R Vinay Kumar as SRH reached 20. Dale Steyn was then handed the ball and managed to restrict RCB to 15 despite Chris Gayle hitting a six.
The result gave SRH a memorable victory in their first-ever meeting with RCB.
2013 First Match
| Team | Score | Result |
| RCB | 130/8 | Tied |
| SRH | 130/7 | SRH won Super Over |
Hanuma Vihari was named Player of the Match, while the game became an early example of how unpredictable the SRH vs RCB rivalry could be.
Second Meeting in 2013
The teams met again only a few days later at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This time, RCB produced a much stronger response. Virat Kohli was outstanding, scoring an unbeaten 93 as RCB chased down SRH’s 162 with seven wickets in hand.
RCB therefore levelled the season’s rivalry at one win apiece.
2013 SRH vs RCB Results
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| April 7, 2013 | Hyderabad | SRH | Super Over |
| April 9, 2013 | Bengaluru | RCB | 7 wickets |
The opening season established the basic pattern of the rivalry: SRH could surprise RCB, but RCB had the batting power to respond.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2014
The two sides met twice in IPL 2014.
RCB won the first match in Bengaluru by four wickets. SRH then returned the favour in Hyderabad, winning the second meeting by seven wickets.
The season therefore ended level at 1-1.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| May 4, 2014 | Bengaluru | RCB | 4 wickets |
| May 20, 2014 | Hyderabad | SRH | 7 wickets |
The 2014 results helped establish that home conditions could play an important role in this rivalry. IPL records list one win apiece for the two teams during the season.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2015
The 2015 season followed a similar pattern.
SRH defeated RCB in Bengaluru by eight wickets, while RCB won the return fixture in Hyderabad by six wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| April 13, 2015 | Bengaluru | SRH | 8 wickets |
| May 15, 2015 | Hyderabad | RCB | 6 wickets (DLS) |
The two matches again finished with the rivalry perfectly balanced for the season. IPL records show that SRH won the first meeting and RCB won the second.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2016
RCB Win the First League Match
- The 2016 season took the rivalry to another level.
- RCB opened their campaign against SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers produced a spectacular batting display, adding 157 runs for the second wicket.
- De Villiers scored 82 from 42 balls, while Kohli made 75 from 51. RCB finished with 227/4 and then restricted SRH to 182/6, winning by 45 runs.
SRH Strike Back in Hyderabad
- The second league meeting was a completely different story.
- David Warner led SRH with 92, while Kane Williamson contributed 50. SRH scored 194/5 before restricting RCB to 179/6.
- SRH won by 15 runs.
- The league-stage meetings were therefore split 1-1.
- But neither side knew that they would meet again in the biggest match of the season.
IPL 2016 Final: SRH vs RCB
The 2016 final remains the defining moment in the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru history.
The final was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, giving RCB home support.
However, SRH produced an outstanding batting performance.David Warner scored 69 from 38 balls, Yuvraj Singh made 38, and Ben Cutting finished spectacularly with 39 not out from just 15 balls. SRH reached 208/7, which was at the time the highest total in an IPL final. RCB’s chase began brilliantly. Chris Gayle scored 76, while Virat Kohli added 54. At one stage, RCB looked capable of chasing the target, but SRH kept taking wickets at important moments.
RCB eventually finished on 200/7, losing by eight runs.
IPL 2016 Final Scorecard
| Team | Score | Result |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 208/7 | Champions |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 200/7 | Lost by 8 runs |
Ben Cutting was named Player of the Match after scoring 39* and taking two wickets.
For SRH, it was the franchise’s first IPL championship. For RCB, it became another painful near-miss despite one of the tournament’s strongest batting line-ups.
The final also added a unique layer to the rivalry because the two teams had already split their two league meetings.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2017
The 2017 season began with another convincing SRH victory.
SRH scored 207/4, with Yuvraj Singh making a rapid 62. RCB were then bowled out for 172 in 19.4 overs.
The match was also historically significant because Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan made his IPL debut. He took 2/36, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ashish Nehra also played important roles.
SRH won by 35 runs.
The return fixture was abandoned without a ball being bowled, so there was no second completed match between the teams that season.
| Match | Result |
| SRH vs RCB | SRH won by 35 runs |
| RCB vs SRH | Abandoned |
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2018
The 2018 season again produced one victory for each team.
SRH won the Hyderabad meeting by five runs after defending 146/10. The second game in Bengaluru was a high-scoring contest, with RCB scoring 218/6 and beating SRH by 14 runs.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| May 7, 2018 | Hyderabad | SRH | 5 runs |
| May 17, 2018 | Bengaluru | RCB | 14 runs |
The contrasting results showed two different sides of the rivalry: SRH could win through disciplined bowling, while RCB could dominate when its batting clicked.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2019
The first 2019 meeting became one of SRH’s biggest wins over RCB.
SRH scored 231/2 at Hyderabad, powered by David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. RCB were then bowled out for 113.
SRH won by a massive 118 runs.
The return fixture in Bengaluru was much closer. RCB chased 176 and won by four wickets.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| March 31, 2019 | Hyderabad | SRH | 118 runs |
| May 4, 2019 | Bengaluru | RCB | 4 wickets |
The 118-run victory remains one of the most memorable wins in the SRH vs RCB timeline.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2020
The 2020 season was unusual because the teams met three times, including an Eliminator.
First League Match
- RCB won the first meeting in Dubai by 10 runs.
- RCB scored 163/5 and then bowled SRH out for 153.
Second League Match
- The teams met again in Sharjah, where SRH won by five wickets.
2020 Eliminator
- The biggest match came in the playoffs.
- RCB managed 131/7, with AB de Villiers scoring 56. Jason Holder took three wickets for SRH.
- SRH chased the target successfully, reaching 132/4. Kane Williamson remained unbeaten on 50 while Holder scored 24 not out.
- SRH won by six wickets and eliminated RCB from the tournament.
2020 SRH vs RCB Results
| Match | Winner | Margin |
| League match | RCB | 10 runs |
| League match | SRH | 5 wickets |
| Eliminator | SRH | 6 wickets |
The Eliminator was particularly important because it added another knockout chapter to the rivalry after the 2016 final.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2021
The teams met twice in IPL 2021.
RCB won the first match by six runs in Chennai. SRH then won the second meeting by four runs in Abu Dhabi.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| April 14, 2021 | Chennai | RCB | 6 runs |
| October 6, 2021 | Abu Dhabi | SRH | 4 runs |
The narrow margins are important because both games were decided by relatively small differences rather than one-sided performances. The IPL match record lists both results.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2022
The 2022 rivalry featured one of the most one-sided games between the two teams.
SRH Bowl RCB Out for 68
At Brabourne Stadium, RCB collapsed to 68 all out.
Marco Jansen and T Natarajan took three wickets each. SRH then chased the target with ease, reaching 72/1 in only eight overs.
SRH won by nine wickets.
2022 Match
| Team | Score |
| RCB | 68 |
| SRH | 72/1 |
The 68 all-out remains RCB’s lowest score against SRH.
RCB Respond in the Return Fixture
RCB responded emphatically in the second meeting. Faf du Plessis scored 73 not out as RCB posted 192/3. Wanindu Hasaranga then took five wickets as SRH were bowled out for 125. RCB won by 67 runs.
The 2022 season therefore ended level at one win apiece.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2023
The two sides met only once in 2023. SRH scored 186/5 in Hyderabad, with Heinrich Klaasen producing a strong innings. RCB chased successfully, reaching 187/2 in 19.2 overs. Virat Kohli scored a century while Faf du Plessis also played an important role.
RCB won by eight wickets.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| May 18, 2023 | Hyderabad | RCB | 8 wickets |
The result was particularly important for RCB because it came during the final stages of the league campaign.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2024
The 2024 season produced one of the most extraordinary chapters in the rivalry.
SRH Score 287/3 Against RCB
- On April 15, 2024, SRH faced RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Travis Head destroyed the bowling attack with 102 from 41 balls. Heinrich Klaasen added 67 from 31 balls.
- SRH finished on 287/3, setting the highest team total in IPL history at that time.
- RCB, however, refused to surrender.
- Dinesh Karthik smashed 83 from 35 balls, while Faf du Plessis scored 62. RCB reached an extraordinary 262/7.
- SRH still won by 25 runs.
2024 Run-Fest
| Team | Score | Result |
| SRH | 287/3 | Won |
| RCB | 262/7 | Lost by 25 runs |
The combined total of 549 runs made it one of the most remarkable high-scoring matches in T20 cricket.
RCB Win the Return Fixture
The second 2024 match was very different.
RCB scored 206/7 at Hyderabad and then restricted SRH to 171/8.
RCB won by 35 runs.
2024 Results
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
| April 15, 2024 | Bengaluru | SRH | 25 runs |
| April 25, 2024 | Hyderabad | RCB | 35 runs |
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2025
The two sides met once in IPL 2025.
The match took place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
SRH batted first and scored 231/6. Ishan Kishan produced an excellent innings of 94 from 48 balls.
RCB were bowled out for 189 in 19.5 overs.
SRH won by 42 runs.
| Team | Score | Result |
| SRH | 231/6 | Winners |
| RCB | 189 | Lost by 42 runs |
This was another high-scoring game in a rivalry that increasingly became associated with aggressive batting.
SRH vs RCB Timeline: 2026
The 2026 season added two more chapters to the rivalry.
RCB Win the IPL 2026 Opener
The opening match was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. SRH scored 201/9 after being asked to bat first.
Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for RCB, taking 3/22 and dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy during the powerplay. RCB chased the target successfully. The Bengaluru side reached 203/4 in 15.4 overs, winning by six wickets with 26 balls remaining.
2026 Match 1
| Team | Score | Result |
| SRH | 201/9 | Lost |
| RCB | 203/4 | Won by 6 wickets |
SRH Strike Back in Hyderabad
The return fixture was played on May 22 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
This time SRH produced a sensational batting performance. Abhishek Sharma smashed 56 from 22 balls. Ishan Kishan scored 79 from 46, while Heinrich Klaasen contributed 51 from 24. SRH finished on 255/4. RCB made a competitive attempt but finished on 200/4. SRH won by 55 runs. Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match.
2026 Match 2
| Team | Score | Result |
| SRH | 255/4 | Won |
| RCB | 200/4 | Lost by 55 runs |
The result also confirmed how quickly the momentum can change in this rivalry: RCB won the first meeting comfortably, but SRH dominated the second.
SRH vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
After their two IPL 2026 meetings, the rivalry had produced 28 completed/scheduled meetings in the head-to-head record, including one abandoned game and the famous 2013 Super Over tie in regulation time. Current records list SRH with the overall advantage.
| Category | SRH | RCB |
| Overall wins | 15* | 12 |
| Abandoned | 1 | 1 |
| Regulation tie | 1 | 1 |
| Super Over result | SRH won | Lost |
| Highest score | 287/3 | 262/7 |
| Lowest score | 125 | 68 |
*The 2013 match is commonly counted as an SRH win because SRH won the Super Over.
The rivalry remains relatively close despite SRH having the overall advantage.
SRH vs RCB Season-Wise Results
| Season | Matches | SRH Wins | RCB Wins | Other | Notable Moment |
| 2013 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | Super Over |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | Home wins |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | DLS victory |
| 2016 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | IPL Final |
| 2017 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 abandoned | Rashid’s debut |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | Close contests |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | SRH win by 118 runs |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | Eliminator |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | Two close finishes |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | RCB bowled out for 68 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | Kohli century |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 287/3 vs 262/7 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | SRH won by 42 runs |
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 255/4 vs 200/4 |
The season-by-season pattern shows that the rivalry has rarely been dominated by one team for a prolonged period.
SRH vs RCB Match-by-Match Results
| Year | Winner | Margin | Major Highlight |
| 2013 | SRH | Super Over | Cameron White and Dale Steyn |
| 2013 | RCB | 7 wickets | Virat Kohli 93* |
| 2014 | RCB | 4 wickets | RCB win in Bengaluru |
| 2014 | SRH | 7 wickets | SRH respond in Hyderabad |
| 2015 | SRH | 8 wickets | Strong chase |
| 2015 | RCB | 6 wickets | DLS victory |
| 2016 | RCB | 45 runs | Kohli-AB batting show |
| 2016 | SRH | 15 runs | Warner 92 |
| 2016 | SRH | 8 runs | IPL Final |
| 2017 | SRH | 35 runs | Rashid Khan debut |
| 2017 | No Result | — | Match abandoned |
| 2018 | SRH | 5 runs | Tight Hyderabad finish |
| 2018 | RCB | 14 runs | RCB 218/6 |
| 2019 | SRH | 118 runs | SRH 231/2 |
| 2019 | RCB | 4 wickets | RCB chase |
| 2020 | RCB | 10 runs | Dubai |
| 2020 | SRH | 5 wickets | Sharjah |
| 2020 | SRH | 6 wickets | Eliminator |
| 2021 | RCB | 6 runs | Chennai thriller |
| 2021 | SRH | 4 runs | Abu Dhabi thriller |
| 2022 | SRH | 9 wickets | RCB 68 all out |
| 2022 | RCB | 67 runs | Hasaranga five-for |
| 2023 | RCB | 8 wickets | Kohli century |
| 2024 | SRH | 25 runs | 287/3 |
| 2024 | RCB | 35 runs | RCB defend 206 |
| 2025 | SRH | 42 runs | Ishan Kishan 94 |
| 2026 | RCB | 6 wickets | Duffy 3/22 |
| 2026 | SRH | 55 runs | SRH 255/4 |
Highest Scores in SRH vs RCB Matches
The SRH vs RCB rivalry has become synonymous with huge totals.
SRH’s 287/3 in 2024 remains the standout team score in this matchup. RCB responded with 262/7, meaning the game produced 549 runs.
| Record | Score | Team | Year |
| Highest team score | 287/3 | SRH | 2024 |
| Second-highest listed score | 262/7 | RCB | 2024 |
| Another major RCB score | 227/4 | RCB | 2016 |
| Major SRH score | 231/2 | SRH | 2019 |
| 2026 SRH score | 255/4 | SRH | 2026 |
The 2024 match remains particularly memorable because Travis Head scored 102 from 41 balls and Dinesh Karthik answered with 83 from 35.
Lowest Scores in SRH vs RCB Matches
The lowest score in the rivalry belongs to RCB.
In 2022, RCB were bowled out for only 68 at Brabourne Stadium. SRH then chased the target for the loss of just one wicket.
| Record | Score | Team | Year |
| Lowest RCB score | 68 | RCB | 2022 |
| Low SRH score | 125 | SRH | 2022 |
| RCB response in same season | 192/3 | RCB | 2022 |
The contrast between 68 all out and 192/3 in the return fixture shows just how quickly the balance changed between the teams that season.
Biggest Wins in SRH vs RCB History
One of SRH’s biggest wins came in 2019, when the Hyderabad side defeated RCB by 118 runs.
SRH scored 231/2 before dismissing RCB for 113.
Other major wins include:
- SRH by 67 runs in 2022
- SRH by 55 runs in 2026
- SRH by 42 runs in 2025
- RCB by 67 runs in 2022
- RCB by 45 runs in 2016
- RCB by 35 runs in 2024
The 2026 return fixture was another notable result, with SRH scoring 255/4 and winning by 55 runs.
Most Memorable SRH vs RCB Matches
1. 2013 Super Over Thriller
The rivalry started with a match that could not be decided in 40 overs.
SRH scored 20 in the Super Over and Dale Steyn successfully defended the total.
2. 2016 IPL Final
SRH scored 208/7 and defeated RCB by eight runs to win their maiden IPL title.
3. 2020 Eliminator
SRH defeated RCB by six wickets after restricting them to 131/7. Kane Williamson and Jason Holder finished the chase.
4. 2022 Bowling Masterclass
SRH dismissed RCB for 68 and completed a nine-wicket victory. Marco Jansen and T Natarajan took three wickets each.
5. 2024 Run-Fest
SRH posted 287/3, RCB replied with 262/7 and the match produced 549 runs.
6. 2026 Season Opener
RCB began the 2026 rivalry with a six-wicket win while chasing 202. Jacob Duffy took three wickets.
7. 2026 Return Fixture
SRH responded with 255/4 and defeated RCB by 55 runs. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen powered the innings.
Virat Kohli vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Virat Kohli has been one of the central figures in the SRH vs RCB rivalry from its very beginning.
- He scored 46 in the first-ever meeting in 2013 and then produced an unbeaten 93 in the return fixture.
- His 2016 season was especially memorable. Kohli scored 75 in RCB’s 227/4 victory over SRH during the league stage and later made 54 in the final.
- In 2023, Kohli produced another defining performance against SRH, scoring a century during RCB’s successful chase.
- Kohli’s consistency across different versions of the rivalry has made him one of its most recognizable individual players.
David Warner vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
David Warner was another major figure during the early years of the rivalry.
He captained SRH during the 2016 championship campaign and scored 69 in the final. His 92 against RCB earlier in that season was also one of the reasons SRH won their league meeting.
Warner’s aggressive batting and attacking captaincy helped establish the identity of SRH during the middle part of the rivalry.
Other Key Players in the Rivalry
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Several SRH players have played important roles against RCB:
- David Warner
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Kane Williamson
- Rashid Khan
- Travis Head
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- T Natarajan
- Marco Jansen
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB have also had several major performers:
- Virat Kohli
- AB de Villiers
- Chris Gayle
- Faf du Plessis
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Mohammed Siraj
- Dinesh Karthik
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Rajat Patidar
- Jacob Duffy
SRH vs RCB at Different Venues
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
The Hyderabad venue has hosted several major chapters in the rivalry. It witnessed the first-ever Super Over between the teams in 2013 and has also hosted major SRH wins, including the 2019 victory by 118 runs. The 2026 return fixture was another major occasion, with SRH scoring 255/4 and winning by 55 runs.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Bengaluru has produced some of the highest-scoring games between the sides. The 2016 final was played here, as was the famous 2024 match in which SRH scored 287/3. The venue also hosted the 2026 season opener, where RCB chased 202 successfully.
Neutral Venues
The rivalry has also travelled to:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Lucknow
The 2020 and 2021 seasons were particularly important for neutral venues because of the scheduling changes during those seasons.
SRH vs RCB Batting Records
The rivalry has featured some exceptional batting numbers.
Virat Kohli is among the leading run-scorers in matches between the two sides, while David Warner and AB de Villiers have also made major contributions. Current rivalry records list Kohli as the leading run-scorer with more than 800 runs in the matchup.
Important batting achievements include:
- Virat Kohli’s 93* in 2013
- David Warner’s 92 in 2016
- Virat Kohli’s 75 in the 2016 league match
- Travis Head’s 102 in 2024
- Dinesh Karthik’s 83 in 2024
- Ishan Kishan’s 94 in 2025
- Ishan Kishan’s 79 in 2026
- Abhishek Sharma’s 56 in 2026
SRH vs RCB Bowling Records
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most successful bowlers in this matchup.
Other bowlers who have produced memorable spells include:
- Dale Steyn
- Rashid Khan
- T Natarajan
- Marco Jansen
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Jacob Duffy
The 2013 Super Over remains one of Dale Steyn’s most memorable moments against RCB, while the 2022 match was defined by the combined efforts of Marco Jansen and T Natarajan.
SRH vs RCB Captains Timeline
Leadership has changed significantly over the course of the rivalry.
| Era | SRH Leadership | RCB Leadership | Major Event |
| 2013 | Early SRH leadership | Daniel Vettori/Virat Kohli era | Super Over |
| 2016 | David Warner | Virat Kohli | IPL Final |
| 2020 | David Warner | Virat Kohli | Eliminator |
| 2021-22 | Kane Williamson | Virat Kohli/Faf era | Close contests |
| 2024 | Pat Cummins | Faf du Plessis | 287/3 |
| 2025-26 | Pat Cummins | Rajat Patidar | New era |
The changing leadership has also changed the tactical nature of the matches. Early contests often revolved around established international stars, while recent seasons have featured a larger role for younger Indian batters and new-generation overseas players.
How the SRH vs RCB Rivalry Has Changed
2013–2015: The Early Rivalry
- The first three seasons were relatively balanced.
- Both teams regularly traded wins, and the rivalry quickly established itself as a competitive matchup.
- The 2013 Super Over was the perfect introduction.
2016–2019: Warner-Kohli Era
- This was arguably the most star-driven period.
- David Warner led SRH while Virat Kohli became the central figure for RCB. AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and other international stars added further quality.
- The 2016 final became the defining moment.
2020–2022: Playoff Battles and Bowling Dominance
- The rivalry moved beyond normal league contests.
- The 2020 Eliminator gave SRH another knockout win, while 2022 produced the famous 68 all-out.
- Bowling became just as important as batting during this period.
2023–2024: The Modern Batting Era
- The 2024 season changed the perception of SRH’s batting.
- The 287/3 score against RCB and the resulting 549-run match showed how aggressively modern IPL teams could approach T20 cricket.
2025–2026: A New Generation
- The rivalry now features players such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen and Rajat Patidar alongside established names.
- The 2026 matches demonstrated the same unpredictability that characterized the rivalry from its beginning: RCB won the opener, while SRH dominated the return fixture.
SRH vs RCB Rivalry: Key Stats at a Glance
| Statistic | Record/Highlight |
| First meeting | 2013 |
| First-match result | SRH won Super Over |
| Most famous final | IPL 2016 Final |
| Highest SRH score | 287/3 |
| Highest RCB score | 262/7 |
| Lowest RCB score | 68 |
| Biggest SRH win | 118 runs |
| Major playoff meeting | 2020 Eliminator |
| Most famous high-scoring game | 2024 |
| Latest 2026 winner | SRH |
| 2026 return score | SRH 255/4 |
| 2026 return margin | 55 runs |
Conclusion
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline is much more than a list of IPL results. It is a history of Super Overs, finals, eliminators, record-breaking totals, batting masterclasses and dramatic turnarounds.
The rivalry began in 2013 with a match that went all the way to a Super Over. Three years later, SRH and RCB met in the IPL final, where SRH produced a memorable eight-run victory to win their maiden championship.
The rivalry then continued to produce important moments. SRH eliminated RCB in the 2020 Eliminator, RCB were dismissed for only 68 in 2022, and the two teams combined for 549 runs in the extraordinary 2024 match.
The 2026 season added another fascinating chapter. RCB won the opening encounter in Bengaluru by six wickets, but SRH responded in emphatic fashion at Hyderabad, scoring 255/4 and winning by 55 runs.
That ability to change momentum is what makes the SRH vs RCB rivalry so entertaining. From the first Super Over to the latest high-scoring contests, almost every era has produced a match worth remembering.
FAQs
Q1. When did Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first play each other?
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru first met in IPL 2013. Their opening match ended in a tie before SRH won the Super Over.
Q2. Who won the first SRH vs RCB match?
SRH won the first meeting after the regulation game ended 130-130. Cameron White’s two Super Over sixes and Dale Steyn’s bowling helped SRH secure the victory.
Q3. How many times have SRH and RCB played against each other?
By the end of IPL 2026, the teams had faced each other 28 times in the rivalry’s recorded head-to-head history, including an abandoned match and the 2013 tied regulation game decided by a Super Over.
Q4. Who has won more SRH vs RCB matches?
SRH have the overall advantage, with current records listing 15 wins compared with RCB’s 12, with one abandoned match in the head-to-head record.
Q5. What happened in the SRH vs RCB 2016 final?
SRH scored 208/7 and defeated RCB by eight runs. David Warner scored 69, Chris Gayle made 76 and Virat Kohli scored 54. Ben Cutting was named Player of the Match.
Q6. What was the SRH vs RCB 2013 Super Over?
The regulation match ended 130-130. SRH scored 20 in the Super Over, with Cameron White hitting two sixes. RCB managed 15, giving SRH the victory.
Q7. What is the highest score in SRH vs RCB history?
SRH’s 287/3 in Bengaluru in 2024 is the highest team score in the rivalry. RCB replied with 262/7.
Q8. What is RCB’s lowest score against SRH?
RCB’s lowest score against SRH is 68 all out in IPL 2022. SRH chased the target for the loss of one wicket.
Q9. Who has scored the most runs in SRH vs RCB matches?
Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the rivalry according to current head-to-head records.
Q10. Who has taken the most wickets in SRH vs RCB matches?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the leading wicket-takers in the rivalry, with current records listing him at the top with 19 wickets.
Q11. When was the highest-scoring SRH vs RCB match?
The highest-scoring match came in 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. SRH scored 287/3 and RCB replied with 262/7, producing 549 runs.
Q12. What happened in the SRH vs RCB matches in 2026?
RCB won the first match by six wickets after chasing 202. SRH won the second match by 55 runs after scoring 255/4.
