In the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, SunRisere Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Stand-in RR skipper Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision SRH were more than happy to accept. Travis Head (67) and Abhishek Sharma (24), the explosive opening duo that dominated last season, wasted no time in starting the runs flowing, with both batters intent on clearing the ropes from the start. While Sharma fell early, Ishan Kishan (106*) joined Head and helped SRH score 94 runs in the powerplay. Head batted till the 10th over, while Kishan continued to dominate, scoring a superb century. The two formed an exciting 85-run partnership for the second wicket. Kishan’s inning was visually stunning, with 11 fours and six sixes, setting the tone for SRH to try for a large total, even maybe 300. Nitish Reddy (30) and Heinrich Klaasen (34) contributed to the score, but a flurry of wickets in the end saw SRH finish with just 286/6 in their 20 overs, still a gigantic total.
Sanju Samson (66), an impact player, scored a fifty during the chase. Dhruv Jurel (70) had a strike rate of 200, while Shubham Dubey (34) had an astounding strike rate of 309.09. The chase was always going to be difficult, but losing by only 44 runs meant that RR was able to salvage their NRR.
While defending, Simarjeet Singh and Harshal Patel took two wickets each. One wicket each was also secured by Adam Zampa and Mohammad Shami.
No RR bowler was in peach today as all got some belt treatment by SRH batters. Nonetheless, Maheesh Theekshana scalped two wickets, while three wickets were picked by Tushar Deshpande. Sandeep Sharma also got one wicket.
Ishan Kishan was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding batting show. With this win, SRH began their campaign with two points.
Scorecard:
SunRisers Hyderabad: 286/6, Overs 20, Ishan Kishan 106*, Tushar Deshpande 3/44
Rajasthan Royals: 242/6, Overs 20, Sanju Samson 66, Harshal Patel 2/34