Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League pack as much drama, firepower, and unpredictability as the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Since SRH entered the league in 2013, every meeting with RCB has produced thunderous sixes, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable individual brilliance. Whether it is Virat Kohli anchoring a chase at the Chinnaswamy or Heinrich Klaasen demolishing an attack in Hyderabad, this fixture never disappoints.
In this article, we walk you through the complete sunrisers hyderabad vs royal challengers bengaluru timeline — from their very first encounter in April 2013 right up to the latest 2026 season clashes. You will find year-by-year breakdowns, head-to-head statistics, record tables, and all the key moments that have defined one of the IPL’s most entertaining rivalries. If you have ever wondered how the SRH vs RCB timeline unfolded or want a quick reference for every major match, this guide covers it all. Let us dive in.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
The story begins with a franchise change. Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad’s original IPL team, were terminated after the 2012 season due to ownership issues. The BCCI auctioned the franchise, and the Sun Group purchased the rights, rebranding the team as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the 2013 season.
On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — originally Royal Challengers Bangalore — had been a part of the IPL since its inception in 2008. Owned by United Spirits and later by United Breweries Group, RCB boasted a massive fanbase built around the legendary Virat Kohli, who had been with the franchise since day one.
The rivalry matters because it pits two contrasting philosophies against each other. SRH, especially under coach Trevor Bayliss and later Daniel Vettori, built their identity around disciplined bowling and calculated aggression. RCB, meanwhile, became synonymous with explosive batting, high-scoring thrillers at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and a passionate fanbase hungry for their maiden title.
The sunrisers hyderabad vs royal challengers bengaluru timeline is a story of contrasting fortunes, iconic individual performances, and several matches that went down to the final ball.
Early Era: 2013 – 2015
2013 – The First Chapter
SRH played their inaugural IPL season in 2013. Their first meeting against RCB came on April 7, 2013, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. SRH posted a competitive total, but Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli powered RCB to a thrilling victory. The Chinnaswamy return fixture later that season saw SRH get their revenge, with Parthiv Patel and Thisara Perera contributing in a tight contest.
Key highlight: SRH finished 4th in their debut season, while RCB ended 5th. The two teams met twice, splitting the results 1-1.
2014 – The UAE Shift
The 2014 IPL was held partly in the UAE due to Indian general elections. SRH and RCB met in a low-scoring affair in Abu Dhabi, where bowlers dominated. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was instrumental for SRH, picking up crucial wickets. RCB struggled that season, finishing 7th, while SRH ended 6th.
2015 – Kohli’s Masterclass
The 2015 season produced one of the most memorable innings in this rivalry. On April 12, 2015, at the Chinnaswamy, Virat Kohli smashed a breathtaking century against SRH, guiding RCB to a massive chase. SRH’s bowling attack, led by Dale Steyn, could not contain the onslaught. However, SRH bounced back in the return fixture in Hyderabad, with David Warner scoring a rapid half-century.
RCB reached the playoffs but lost in Qualifier 2. SRH finished 6th.
Mid Era: 2016 – 2019
2016 – SRH’s Glorious Title Run
This was the year SRH etched their name in IPL history. Captained by David Warner and coached by Tom Moody, SRH built a bowling-first identity. They met RCB twice in the league stage. In the Hyderabad encounter, Mustafizur Rahman and Bhuvneshwar Kumar strangled RCB’s batting lineup.
The most dramatic moment came on May 29, 2016, in the IPL Final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. SRH faced RCB in the ultimate showdown. SRH posted 208/7, with Ben Cutting smashing 39 off 15 balls in the death overs. RCB’s chase fell short as Kohli (54) and AB de Villiers (29) could not finish the job. SRH won by 8 runs and lifted their maiden IPL trophy. It remains the only IPL final between these two franchises.
2017 – Williamson Era Begins
With Warner serving a ban mid-season, Kane Williamson took over SRH’s captaincy. The matches against RCB in 2017 were tightly contested. Yuzvendra Chahal spun webs around SRH batsmen in the Bengaluru fixture, while Rashid Khan announced his arrival with a spellbinding performance in Hyderabad.
2018 – Chinnaswamy Fireworks
The 2018 season saw RCB post a massive 218/6 against SRH at the Chinnaswamy, powered by AB de Villiers’ 69 off 37 balls. SRH’s reply fell short despite Warner’s return. However, SRH won the return fixture convincingly, with Shakib Al Hasan delivering an all-round masterclass.
SRH reached the final that year but lost to Chennai Super Kings. RCB finished 6th.
2019 – Low-Scoring Battles
The 2019 encounters were defined by bowling. In Hyderabad, SRH restricted RCB to just 129, with Khaleel Ahmed picking up 3 wickets. In Bengaluru, a rain-curtailed match saw SRH edge ahead via the DLS method. Jonny Bairstow and David Warner opened aggressively for SRH that season.
Modern Era: 2020 – 2024
2020 – The UAE Season
The pandemic shifted the IPL to the UAE. SRH and RCB met in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Dubai match saw Devdutt Padikkal score a fine half-century for RCB, while Josh Philippe anchored SRH’s chase in the return leg. Both teams finished mid-table, with RCB qualifying for the playoffs and SRH missing out narrowly.
2021 – Split Season Drama
The 2021 IPL was split between India and the UAE due to a mid-season suspension. In the India leg, Glenn Maxwell smashed a quickfire 59 against SRH in Chennai. In the UAE leg, Kane Williamson’s calm 54 guided SRH to victory. RCB reached the playoffs but lost in the Eliminator.
2022 – New Format, New Energy
With the league expanding to 10 teams, SRH and RCB were placed in different groups but still met twice. The Bengaluru match produced a classic: Faf du Plessis (new RCB captain) scored 73, but Umran Malik’s raw pace (consistently above 150 km/h) rattled the RCB middle order. SRH won by 9 runs. In Hyderabad, Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell combined to chase down 175 for RCB.
2023 – A Season of Rebuilding
Both teams underwent significant changes. SRH released several key players, while RCB retained Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis at the top. Their 2023 encounters were competitive but neither team reached the playoffs. Heinrich Klaasen, in his debut SRH season, hit a 34-ball 67 against RCB in Hyderabad, signalling the arrival of a new powerhouse.
2024 – SRH’s Aggressive Revolution
Under new captain Pat Cummins and head coach Daniel Vettori, SRH adopted an ultra-aggressive batting approach. The 2024 season saw SRH post 287/3 against RCB at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium — the highest team total in IPL history at that point. Travis Head (102 off 41) and Heinrich Klaasen (67 off 26) obliterated RCB’s attack.
In the return fixture in Bengaluru, RCB posted a fighting total but SRH’s depth saw them through. SRH finished as runners-up in IPL 2024, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. RCB were eliminated in the league stage.
2025 – 2026 Update: The Latest Chapters
IPL 2025 – RCB’s Historic Triumph
The 2025 IPL season was a landmark year. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, finally clinched their maiden IPL title after 18 seasons of heartbreak. In the final, RCB defeated Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
During the league stage, RCB and SRH met twice. In Bengaluru, Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a sublime 82 off 47, guiding RCB to a 6-wicket win. In Hyderabad, SRH struck back as Abhishek Sharma (78 off 39) and Klaasen (55 off 22) powered SRH to a 35-run victory.
SRH finished 5th in the 2025 standings, missing the playoffs by a narrow margin. RCB’s title triumph was celebrated across Karnataka and marked an emotional milestone for Kohli, who had spent his entire IPL career chasing this trophy.
IPL 2026 – The Current Season
The 2026 IPL season (March – May 2026) brought fresh excitement. SRH retained their aggressive core of Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head, while RCB entered as defending champions with Patidar continuing as captain.
Their first 2026 meeting took place in April 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where RCB defended a total of 196 thanks to Mohammed Siraj’s 3/28 in four overs. SRH fell short by 12 runs. The return fixture in Hyderabad saw Heinrich Klaasen smash an unbeaten 91 off 34 balls, leading SRH to a commanding 7-wicket win.
As of August 2026, the season has concluded, and both franchises are already looking ahead to the mega-auction and squad restructuring for 2027.
Complete Timeline SRH vs RCB (2013–2026)
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | RCB won by 7 wickets | Chris Gayle & Kohli dominate in SRH’s first-ever meeting vs RCB |
| 2013 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | SRH won by 23 runs | Parthiv Patel’s all-round show gives SRH first win over RCB |
| 2014 | SRH vs RCB, Abu Dhabi (League) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 3/18 dismantles RCB top order |
| 2014 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 4 wickets | AB de Villiers’ 52* seals the chase |
| 2015 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 4 wickets | Virat Kohli scores 101* off 62 balls |
| 2015 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 18 runs | David Warner’s 76 sets up comfortable defense |
| 2016 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 15 runs | Mustafizur Rahman’s 3/16 restricts RCB |
| 2016 | IPL Final, Bengaluru | SRH won by 8 runs | Ben Cutting’s 39*(15); SRH win maiden IPL title |
| 2017 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 27 runs | Yuzvendra Chahal takes 4/25 |
| 2017 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 35 runs | Rashid Khan’s 3/19 in debut season |
| 2018 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 14 runs | AB de Villiers’ 69 off 37 balls |
| 2018 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 5 runs | Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round performance (46 & 2/21) |
| 2019 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 118 runs | Khaleel Ahmed’s 3/17; RCB bowled out for 129 |
| 2019 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | SRH won by 5 runs (DLS) | Rain-curtailed; Warner & Bairstow’s 87-run stand |
| 2020 | SRH vs RCB, Dubai (League) | RCB won by 10 runs | Devdutt Padikkal’s 56; Yuzvendra Chahal’s 3/24 |
| 2020 | RCB vs SRH, Abu Dhabi (League) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Josh Philippe’s 44*; Sandeep Sharma’s early breakthroughs |
| 2021 | SRH vs RCB, Chennai (League) | RCB won by 6 runs | Glenn Maxwell’s 59 off 32 balls |
| 2021 | RCB vs SRH, Sharjah (League) | SRH won by 4 wickets | Kane Williamson’s calm 54* in UAE leg |
| 2022 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | SRH won by 9 runs | Umran Malik bowls 150+ km/h; RCB collapse late |
| 2022 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | RCB won by 67 runs | Rajat Patidar’s 68 & Maxwell’s 40 |
| 2023 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 23 runs | Heinrich Klaasen’s 67 off 34 in debut season |
| 2023 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 8 wickets | Kohli’s 74 & du Plessis’ 55 open the chase |
| 2024 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 25 runs | SRH score 287/3 – IPL record; Travis Head 102(41) |
| 2024 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | SRH won by 12 runs | Klaasen 67*(26); SRH chase 214 |
| 2025 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 6 wickets | Virat Kohli’s 82(47); RCB en route to title |
| 2025 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 35 runs | Abhishek Sharma 78(39); Klaasen 55(22) |
| 2026 | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru (League) | RCB won by 12 runs | Mohammed Siraj 3/28; RCB defend 196 |
| 2026 | SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Klaasen 91*(34); SRH dominate powerplay |
Head-to-Head Stats: SRH vs RCB
| Category | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (2013–2026) | 28 | 28 |
| Matches Won | 15 | 13 |
| Win Percentage | 53.5% | 46.5% |
| Highest Team Total | 287/3 (2024, Hyderabad) | 227/4 (2018, Bengaluru) |
| Lowest Team Total Defended | 125 (2019, Hyderabad) | 149 (2014, Abu Dhabi) |
| Largest Victory Margin | 118 runs (2019) | 67 runs (2022) |
| Most Successful Batter | David Warner – 683 runs | Virat Kohli – 812 runs |
| Most Successful Bowler | Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 24 wickets | Yuzvendra Chahal – 19 wickets |
| IPL Titles Won | 1 (2016) | 1 (2025) |
| Finals Against Each Other | 1 (2016 – Won) | 1 (2016 – Lost) |
| Highest Individual Score | Travis Head – 102 (2024) | Virat Kohli – 101* (2015) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 4/17 | Yuzvendra Chahal – 4/25 |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in the SRH vs RCB fixture with over 810 runs across 26 innings. His unbeaten 101 in 2015 remains the highest individual score in this rivalry.
- Heinrich Klaasen has the best strike rate among batters with 500+ runs in this matchup, averaging a boundary every 5.2 balls.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads all bowlers with 24 wickets against RCB while playing for SRH, including two four-wicket hauls.
- Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/25 in 2017 remains the best bowling figures by an RCB bowler against SRH.
Team Records
- SRH’s 287/3 in 2024 is not just the highest score in this rivalry but was the highest total in IPL history at the time.
- SRH’s 118-run victory in 2019 is the biggest win margin in any SRH vs RCB match.
- RCB became the first team in this fixture to successfully chase 200+ at the Chinnaswamy (2018).
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- The 2016 IPL Final is the only final in IPL history where SRH and RCB have faced each other. Ben Cutting’s cameo of 39 off 15 balls turned the match decisively.
- AB de Villiers scored at a strike rate of 165+ in all his innings against SRH before his retirement in 2021.
- SRH won 7 consecutive matches against RCB between 2018 and 2021, the longest winning streak in this rivalry.
- The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has hosted the most SRH vs RCB encounters (9 matches), with RCB winning 5 and SRH winning 4.
FAQs
When did Sunrisers Hyderabad first play Royal Challengers Bengaluru? A: The first meeting took place on April 7, 2013, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, during SRH’s debut IPL season. RCB won that match by 7 wickets, powered by Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.
How many times have SRH and RCB met in the IPL final? A: They have met in the IPL final only once — in 2016 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. SRH won by 8 runs to claim their first and only IPL title at that point.
Who has scored the most runs in SRH vs RCB matches? A: Virat Kohli leads the run-scoring charts in this rivalry with over 810 runs. For SRH, David Warner has been the top scorer with 683 runs before his departure from the franchise.
What is the highest team total in an SRH vs RCB match? A: SRH posted a record 287/3 against RCB at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in IPL 2024. Travis Head’s 102 off 41 balls and Klaasen’s 67 off 26 were the highlights of that innings.
Has RCB ever beaten SRH in a playoff or knockout match? A: No. The only knockout meeting between the two was the 2016 IPL Final, which SRH won. All other encounters have been league-stage matches.
Which venue has hosted the most SRH vs RCB matches? A: The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has hosted the most encounters (9 matches). The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad follows closely with 8 matches.
Conclusion
The sunrisers hyderabad vs royal challengers bengaluru timeline is a rich tapestry of record-breaking batting, spellbinding bowling, and dramatic finishes spanning over a decade. From SRH’s fairy-tale title win in the 2016 final to RCB’s emotional maiden triumph in 2025, and from Klaasen’s explosive camebacks to Kohli’s timeless elegance, this rivalry continues to deliver cricketing gold every season.
As both franchises retool for 2027 and beyond, one thing is certain — whenever the orange of Hyderabad meets the red and black of Bengaluru, fans are guaranteed a spectacle. The next chapter of this storied rivalry is already being written, and it promises to be as thrilling as everything that came before.
