When Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings step onto the field against each other, fans know they’re in for something special. This fixture has given us some of the most dramatic moments in IPL history — tight two-run finishes, individual masterclasses, and record-shattering totals. But if you look at the numbers, one team has clearly ruled this rivalry. Let’s break it all down.
Overall Head to Head Record
The rivalry between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad has been heavily tilted in favour of SRH. Out of 25 matches played so far, SRH have won 17 while PBKS have managed 8 victories. No match has ended in a no result. SRH’s home record at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is particularly dominant — they have won 9 out of 10 matches played there against Punjab.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 25 |
| SRH Won | 17 |
| PBKS Won | 8 |
| No Result | 0 |
| SRH Highest Score | 247 |
| PBKS Highest Score | 245 |
That scoreline — 247 chasing 245 — happened in one single match in 2025. We’ll get to that.
The Story So Far: A Rivalry of Extremes
SRH replaced the now-defunct Deccan Chargers and made their IPL debut in 2013. They went on to win the IPL title in 2016 under David Warner’s leadership and have reached the final twice more — in 2018 and 2024. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have been part of the IPL since its very first season in 2008. They reached the final once, back in 2014, but are still waiting for their first IPL title.
That difference in pedigree shows clearly in the head-to-head numbers. SRH have been the dominant force almost from the beginning — but PBKS have made them work hard for it every single time.
SRH’s Fortress in Hyderabad
SRH’s record against PBKS at home is remarkable. They have won 9 out of 10 matches played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium against Punjab. Punjab’s only win in Hyderabad came way back in 2014, and they haven’t managed to repeat it since. For any PBKS fan, this ground is almost enemy territory.
The Record-Breaking 2025 Classic
The 2025 clash between these two sides deserves its own chapter in IPL history books.
PBKS batted first and put up a stunning 245/6. Prabhsimran Singh (42 off 23) and Priyansh Arya (36 off 13) gave them a flying start. Then Shreyas Iyer took over, smashing a breathtaking 82 off just 36 balls — his quickest IPL fifty came in just 22 balls. Marcus Stoinis finished it off with 34* off 11 balls, including four sixes off Mohammed Shami in the final over. It was a total that would have won almost any other IPL game in history.
But SRH had other ideas.
Chasing 246, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head came out swinging from ball one. SRH reached 83/0 in the powerplay itself. Abhishek raced to his fifty in just 16 deliveries — the fastest ever by a SRH batter. The two openers put on a 171-run partnership, the highest of IPL 2025, before Head was dismissed for a blazing 66 off 37 balls.
Abhishek, though, was unstoppable. He brought up his maiden IPL century off just 40 balls — the fastest century by any batter at this venue and against Punjab. He eventually finished on 141 off 55 balls, with 14 fours and 10 sixes, breaking KL Rahul’s record for the highest score by an Indian batter in IPL history. SRH crossed the line with 9 balls to spare, completing the highest successful run-chase in IPL history at the time.
Recent Form: Last 5 Meetings
SRH have won 5 consecutive matches against PBKS stretching from 2023 to 2025. Punjab’s last victory in this fixture was a 5-wicket win at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2022. Since that day, PBKS have tried and failed five times to beat the Sunrisers.
| Season | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2022 | PBKS | 5 wickets |
| IPL 2023 | SRH | Won |
| IPL 2024 (Match 1) | SRH | 2 runs |
| IPL 2024 (Match 2) | SRH | 4 wickets |
| IPL 2025 | SRH | 8 wickets |
Top Run Scorers in SRH vs PBKS
David Warner is the all-time leading run scorer in this rivalry with 700 runs. He is followed by Shikhar Dhawan with 419 runs — interesting because Dhawan played for both sides at different points in his career. KL Rahul scored over 307 runs for PBKS in this fixture and was one of the most dependable batters for Punjab against SRH.
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| David Warner | SRH | 700 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | SRH/PBKS | 419 |
| KL Rahul | PBKS | 307+ |
Warner’s record in this fixture is extraordinary. His explosive starts in the powerplay repeatedly derailed PBKS’s plans. Dhawan adds a fascinating subplot — he won the 2016 IPL with SRH and then nearly scored a century against them (99*) after switching to Punjab in 2023.
Top Wicket Takers in SRH vs PBKS
Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the bowling charts in this rivalry by a significant margin with 26 wickets. Rashid Khan and Sandeep Sharma both follow with 18 wickets each.
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH | 26 |
| Rashid Khan | SRH | 18 |
| Sandeep Sharma | SRH/PBKS | 18 |
Bhuvneshwar’s inswing in the powerplay has been PBKS’s nightmare for over a decade. His best figures in this fixture stand at 5/19 — the best bowling performance by any SRH bowler against Punjab.
Best Individual Performances
Batting Highlights:
- Abhishek Sharma (SRH) — 141 off 55 balls vs PBKS, IPL 2025 — Highest score by an Indian in IPL history at the time
- Chris Gayle (PBKS) — 104* vs SRH
- Jonny Bairstow (SRH) — 97 vs PBKS
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) — 82 off 36 balls, IPL 2025
Bowling Highlights:
- Ankit Rajpoot (PBKS) — 5/14 vs SRH, IPL 2018 — Best bowling figures in this entire rivalry
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) — 5/19 vs PBKS
Key Players to Watch in IPL 2026
SRH: Abhishek Sharma has been their standout batter this season with 440 runs in 10 matches. Travis Head brings explosive power at the top with 262 runs at a strike rate above 150. Ishan Kishan has been consistent at number 3. Eshan Malinga has emerged as a surprise bowling option this season.
PBKS: Prabhsimran Singh is their top scorer in IPL 2026 with 346 runs in 8 matches. Priyansh Arya gives them a fearless start in the powerplay. Captain Shreyas Iyer has been their backbone with 309 runs at a high strike rate. Arshdeep Singh leads the pace attack with his deadly yorkers, while Yuzvendra Chahal controls the middle overs.
PBKS are currently sitting at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from 9 matches — their most consistent run in years.
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Final Verdict: Who Has the Edge?
The numbers make it clear — SRH have dominated this fixture throughout IPL history. But Punjab are no pushovers. They’ve proven repeatedly that they can post massive totals and put SRH under real pressure. The 2025 game where PBKS posted 245 and still lost tells you everything about how this rivalry works — SRH just find a way.
With Shreyas Iyer leading a confident PBKS side into IPL 2026 unbeaten early in the season, they will be desperate to end SRH’s five-match winning streak in this fixture. And with both sides capable of hitting 200+ on any given day, the next chapter of this rivalry promises to be just as entertaining as the last.
Whether you’re with the Orange Army or flying the Punjab Lions flag — SRH vs PBKS is always worth watching. No safe margins, no boring finishes. Just pure cricket.
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