Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals – IPL 2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 featured an electrifying clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This high-scoring match saw SRH achieve a convincing 44-run victory, setting the tone for their IPL campaign.
Pre-Match Analysis
Toss and Team Strategies
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the toss and opted to bowl first. This decision was likely influenced by the venue’s chasing-friendly nature and their strong bowling attack.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) aimed to set a formidable target with a batting lineup packed with power hitters like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan.
- Rajasthan Royals banked on their all-round depth with Riyan Parag leading the side and Sanju Samson playing a key role in the batting order.
Playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Aniket Verma
- Abhinav Manohar
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Simarjeet Singh
- Harshal Patel
- Mohammed Shami
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubham Dubey
- Nitish Rana
- Riyan Parag (c)
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Jofra Archer
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Tushar Deshpande
- Sandeep Sharma
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings: 286/6 (20 Overs)
Explosive Start by SRH
- Travis Head continued his T20 dominance with a blazing 67 off 31 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes, SR: 216.13).
- Abhishek Sharma provided quickfire support, scoring 24 off 11 balls before falling to Theekshana.
- SRH reached 94/1 at the end of the powerplay, setting a strong foundation.
Ishan Kishan’s Masterclass: A Game-Changing Knock
A Perfect Blend of Power and Precision
Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 106 off 47 balls was the turning point of the match. His innings was a blend of raw aggression and calculated risk-taking, making him the backbone of SRH’s explosive total. From the moment he walked in, Kishan showcased his intent, using his powerful bottom hand to clear the boundary with ease.
Breakdown of Ishan Kishan’s Innings
| Phase | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (0-6) | 34 | 15 | 226.67 | 4 | 3 |
| Middle Overs (7-15) | 45 | 21 | 214.28 | 3 | 5 |
| Death Overs (16-20) | 27 | 11 | 245.45 | 2 | 3 |
Key Aspects of Kishan’s Knock
- Explosive Powerplay Impact
- Kishan took full advantage of the fielding restrictions, playing fearless cricket.
- His aggressive strokes forced Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers to go defensive early.
- Spin Domination
- He showed excellent footwork against Theekshana, using the crease to manufacture angles.
- Played conventional and unorthodox shots, including reverse sweeps and slog sweeps.
- Pace Handling with Authority
- Jofra Archer, known for his express pace, was dismantled by Kishan’s fearless hitting.
- Used short-arm pulls and lofted drives to perfection, neutralizing the short-ball threat.
- Finishing with a Flourish
- Accelerated in the final overs, ensuring SRH crossed the 280-run mark.
- Smart placement and sheer power allowed him to find gaps even with packed fielders.
Records Broken by Ishan Kishan in this Match
✅ First Century of IPL 2025
✅ Fastest Century for SRH in IPL History (46 Balls)
✅ Most Sixes in an Innings by an Indian Wicketkeeper (11 Sixes)
✅ Highest Individual Score by an SRH Wicketkeeper in IPL
Post-Match Words from Ishan Kishan
“I just backed myself. The ball was coming onto the bat nicely, and I knew if I stayed till the end, we could post a massive total. Credit to the team for supporting my approach.”
Final Verdict: The Ultimate Game-Changer
Ishan Kishan’s innings was not just about big hits—it was a statement. His ability to pace the innings, take on both spin and pace, and finish strong makes him one of the most dangerous batters in IPL 2025. If this performance is any indication, SRH has found its most explosive match-winner for the season.
Nitish Reddy and Klaasen’s Power Hitting
- Nitish Reddy (30 off 15) and Heinrich Klaasen (34 off 14) played crucial finishing roles.
- Aniket Verma (7) and Abhinav Manohar (0) fell cheaply, but Cummins remained unbeaten.
Rajasthan’s Bowling Struggles
- Tushar Deshpande (4-0-43-3) was the only bright spot.
- Jofra Archer was expensive, conceding 76 runs in 4 overs.
- Theekshana controlled the run flow with 2/22 in his 4 overs.
Rajasthan Royals Innings: 242/6 (20 Overs)
Early Collapse
- Rajasthan’s chase started on a rough note as Yashasvi Jaiswal (1) and Riyan Parag (4) fell inside two overs.
- Nitish Rana tried to anchor but managed only 18 off 20 balls.
Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel’s Fightback
- Samson played a captain’s knock with 66 off 37 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes).
- Dhruv Jurel was exceptional, smashing 70 off 35 balls (6 sixes, 5 fours), keeping RR’s hopes alive.
Hetmyer’s Late Blitz
- Shimron Hetmyer’s 42 off 23 brought RR close, but the required rate proved too steep.
- Shubham Dubey (34*) fought till the end but lacked support.
SRH’s Bowling Masterclass
- Harshal Patel (4-0-34-2) kept it tight at the death.
- Simarjeet Singh (4-0-62-2) took key wickets despite being expensive.
- Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins ensured RR couldn’t build partnerships.
Match Result: SRH Won by 44 Runs
Key Takeaways
- Ishan Kishan’s match-winning century set up the massive total.
- Travis Head’s aggressive start ensured early dominance.
- Rajasthan’s bowling unit struggled barring Theekshana and Deshpande.
- Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel’s heroics weren’t enough in the chase.
- Harshal Patel’s disciplined bowling sealed the win for SRH.
Statistical Highlights
- Ishan Kishan’s 106 was the first century of IPL 2025.*
- SRH’s 286/6 was their highest-ever IPL total.
- Jofra Archer conceded 76 runs, the most by any bowler in IPL history.
- Dhruv Jurel’s 70 was his highest IPL score.
What’s Next?
- Sunrisers Hyderabad face Mumbai Indians next.
- Rajasthan Royals will look to bounce back against Chennai Super Kings.
SRH’s dominant win showcased their batting firepower and depth. Rajasthan Royals put up a spirited chase but lacked early momentum. With IPL 2025 off to a thrilling start, fans can expect more fireworks in the coming matches.
