The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 got off to a thrilling start as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) outplayed Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a margin of 44 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday. The match was a true spectacle, with SRH posting the second-highest total in IPL history, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying season.
SRH, batting first, amassed a staggering 286 for 6 in 20 overs, narrowly missing the 300-run mark. In response, RR put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short, finishing at 242 for 6. The high-octane encounter showcased the explosive batting prowess that has become synonymous with SRH in recent times.
Kishan’s Maiden IPL Century
The star of the show for SRH was their new recruit, Ishan Kishan, who marked his debut for the franchise with a breathtaking unbeaten 106 off just 47 deliveries. Kishan’s innings, studded with 11 fours and 6 sixes, was a masterclass in aggressive batting. He reached his half-century in a mere 25 balls and required only 20 more to notch up his maiden IPL century. The sheer power and precision of his shots left the crowd in awe.
Kishan’s pyrotechnics were ably supported by a collective effort from the SRH batting lineup. Travis Head, continuing his fine form from the previous season, smashed a quick 67 off 31 balls, forming a devastating 85-run partnership with Kishan. The opening pair of Head and Abhishek Sharma set the tone early, racing to 45 runs in just 19 balls.
The onslaught was relentless, with each of SRH’s top six batsmen striking at over 200. Notable contributions came from Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 14) and Nitish Reddy (30 off 15), ensuring that the momentum never shifted. The Rajasthan bowlers found themselves under constant pressure, with even the experienced Jofra Archer conceding 76 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket.
Rajasthan’s Spirited Chase Falls Short
Faced with a daunting target of 287, Rajasthan Royals showed commendable spirit in their chase. Despite losing early wickets, including stand-in captain Riyan Parag, RR managed to keep themselves in the hunt thanks to a brilliant partnership between Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel.
Samson, playing as a pure batsman due to a finger injury, showcased his class with a well-crafted 66 off 37 balls. The young Jurel, however, was the standout performer for RR, smashing 70 off just 35 deliveries. Their 111-run partnership briefly rekindled Rajasthan’s hopes of an improbable victory. The energy in the stadium was palpable as RR fought hard to bridge the gap.
The lower order, led by Shubham Dubey (34* off 11) and Shimron Hetmyer (42 off 23), continued to fight till the end, ensuring that RR posted a respectable total of 242. However, the target proved too steep, and SRH’s bowlers, led by Harshal Patel (2/34) and Simarjeet Singh (2/46), did enough to secure a comfortable victory.
The match served as a perfect curtain-raiser for what promises to be an exciting IPL season. SRH’s batting prowess, further bolstered by new additions like Kishan, sent a strong message to other teams. For Rajasthan, despite the loss, there were positives to take away, particularly the fighting spirit shown in the chase.
