Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a commanding 44-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-scoring encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal. Ishan Kishan was the star of the show, smashing a breathtaking century to propel SRH to a mammoth total. Despite a valiant effort from Rajasthan Royals’ middle order, the steep target proved too much as they fell short.
Ishan Kishan and Travis Head set the stage on fire
After being put in to bat by Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a flying start with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma capitalizing on the powerplay. While Abhishek contributed a quickfire 24 off 11 balls, Head played a blistering knock of 67 off just 31 deliveries, peppering the field with nine boundaries and three sixes.
However, the real carnage began when Ishan took center stage. The wicketkeeper-batter was in destructive form, hammering 106 off just 47 balls, which included 11 fours and six towering sixes. His aggressive stroke play dismantled Rajasthan’s bowling attack, particularly targeting Jofra Archer, who conceded 76 runs in his four overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (30 off 15) and Heinrich Klaasen (34 off 14) provided the finishing touches as SRH posted a record-breaking total of 286/6.
Rajasthan’s bowlers struggle to contain SRH’s onslaught
The Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack had a night to forget, with almost every bowler going for runs at an expensive economy rate. Archer was taken apart, conceding 76 runs in his four overs without a wicket. Maheesh Theekshana (2/52) and Tushar Deshpande (3/44) were the only bowlers who had some success in breaking partnerships, but the damage had already been done.
Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel lead Rajasthan’s fightback
Chasing a daunting target of 287, Rajasthan Royals suffered an early setback as Yashasvi Jaiswal departed cheaply for just 1 run. Riyan Parag (4) and Nitish Rana (11) also fell early, putting RR in a difficult position. However, Sanju Samson took charge and played a counter-attacking knock of 66 off 37 balls, smashing seven fours and four sixes.
The fightback continued with Dhruv Jurel, who played a scintillating innings of 70 off 35 balls. His aggressive stroke play, combined with support from Shimron Hetmyer (42 off 23) and Shubham Dubey (34 off 11), kept Rajasthan in the hunt. However, the required run rate continued to climb, and despite their efforts, RR ended at 242/6 in their 20 overs.
Also WATCH: IPL 2025 – Kavya Maran’s electrifying ‘come on’ celebration as Ishan Kishan smashes a debut hundred for SRH against RR
SRH bowlers hold nerve to secure win
While Rajasthan Royals’ batters tried to mount a comeback, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowlers kept their cool in crucial moments. Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/34 in four overs, while Simarjeet Singh (2/46) also played a crucial role. Mohammad Shami provided an early breakthrough, and Adam Zampa (1/48) chipped in with a key wicket to derail RR’s momentum.
Here is how fans reacted:
So run it up, the Sun is up 🔥🧡#PlayWithFire | #SRHvRR | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/C8xHw0wle8
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 23, 2025
SRH get the better of RR 👏#SRHvRR #IPL2025
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/78F3d2fal0 pic.twitter.com/Qd3pBOEdJK
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 23, 2025
Game one. We’ll take this on the chin.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 23, 2025
SUNRISES HYDERABAD DEFEATED RAJASTHAN ROYALS…!!!
– Ishan Kishan is the Hero. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QDfbB9fWf4
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 23, 2025
“Hyderabad roars as SRH clinches a massive win! 🏟️🔥 Ishan Kishan’s debut 💯 & a team performance to remember! 👏👏 #SRHvRR”
— NUJRAN (@NUJRANk) March 23, 2025
MAN OF THE HOUR 🙌🧡#PlayWithFire | #SRHvRR | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/TL7LgFjsEB
— Naveen SHIVAJI ABVP🧡 (@gunjanavee67582) March 23, 2025
#IshanKishan : Ishan Kishan has shown that it is easy to ignore talent, ♥️🏏 But it is impossible to stop it!
In fact, today by scoring a brilliant century in his first IPL match,
He has shown that the player is standing in the battlefield #IshanKishan #SRHvRR #IPL2025…
— Muneeb Ur Rehman 👑 (@Idreesaslam16) March 23, 2025
Tough loss for RR, but we gave it our all! On to the next one! 🔥🩷️#SRHvRR #IPL2025
— Riyan Parag ( RR blud🩸) (@RajasthanRoyas) March 23, 2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad Won By 44 Runs Against Rajasthan royals 😍
WHAT A DEBUT PERFORMANCE FROM Ishan Simarjeet Harshal And Manohar 💥✊#SRHvRR #OrangeArmy #PlayWithFire #TATAIPL2025 #SunrisersHyderabad #SRHvsRR
— Rakshita 🌸 (@rakshitagowda22) March 23, 2025
So run it up, the Sun is up 🔥🧡#PlayWithFire | #SRHvRR | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/Vj9nxaM3bG
— SATENDRA PRAJAPATI (@Satendr0408) March 23, 2025
#SRH WON BY 44 RUNS#SRHvRR
— सन्दीप पूनियाँ 🚩🚩 (@SandeepNawan) March 23, 2025
Also READ: Fans go wild as Ishan Kishan hits first century of IPL 2025 in SRH vs RR clash
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