In what promises to be an exciting opening to the IPL 2025 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This highly-anticipated match is set to kick off at 3:30 PM IST, with live coverage available on the Star Sports Network and digital streaming through JioHotstar.
Both teams are eager to start their campaigns on a winning note. Last season, SRH made a strong run to the finals, finishing as runners-up while defeating RR along the way. In fact, SRH triumphed over RR by 36 runs in their last encounter during the 2024 season, which eliminated the Royals from contention in Qualifier 2. With the recent history between these two teams, fans are keen to see whether it will be a closely contested clash or a one-sided affair.
Sunrisers Hyderabad enters this season with a robust lineup and without any significant injury concerns among their key players. The team's batting lineup is potent, featuring explosive talents such as Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ishan Kishan, who can easily challenge the 300-run mark if they secure a good start. "We are looking forward to a great season ahead. Our preparation has been top-notch," said SRH's captain Pat Cummins when discussing the team's prospects.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals will be feeling the absence of their star skipper, Sanju Samson, who is sidelined due to a finger injury. Riyan Parag, stepping in as captain, will be hoping to lead by example. "Leadership is a big responsibility, but I am ready to take on the challenge," Parag remarked, indicating his readiness to step up in this crucial role.
The head-to-head record gives SRH a slight upper hand, with 11 victories from 20 encounters. In matches played in Hyderabad, they're even stronger, having claimed 4 of the 5 matches against RR. The last time the teams faced off in Hyderabad ended with a nail-biting victory for SRH by just one run in May 2024. With all these factors at play, the stakes are high for both teams as they look to establish dominance early in the season.
Looking at possible lineups, SRH is likely to field: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Pat Cummins among others. Their batting firepower, bolstered by Abhishek's recent top score of 135 runs off 54 balls against England, suggests they will be looking to set a significant target. In contrast, the Royals are expected to rely on players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer, alongside Parag's leadership, to steer them to victory.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is traditionally known for high-scoring affairs, with last season seeing the Sunrisers post a record 277 runs in a game against the Mumbai Indians. On this ground, the average first innings score is about 191, making it a batting paradise. As such, both teams will want to make the most of the batting-friendly pitch conditions.
However, weather predictions could complicate matters, with Hyderabad under an orange and yellow alert due to thunderstorms and gusty winds. Rain could potentially disrupt play, prompting both teams to consider strategies for handling such conditions. The wind speed is expected to range between 30 and 40 km/h, while temperatures will hover between 30 to 33 degrees Celsius, which could add an extra layer of challenge for players on the field.
As the excitement builds, fans are awaiting the toss, scheduled for 3:00 PM IST. Not only will the toss influence team strategies, but it will also play a crucial role in determining the match's outcome, particularly if rain presents itself as a factor.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to defend their strong record in the IPL, while the Rajasthan Royals will strive to kick-start their campaign positively despite the challenges they face this season.
This match isn’t just a game; it signifies fresh beginnings and hopes for both teams as they battle for crucial points in what's expected to be a thrilling IPL 2025 campaign.
