IPL 2025 2nd Match SRH vs RR Highlights: Sunrisers Hyderabad Win by 44 Runs
The second match of IPL 2025, played on March 23 at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, was a run-fest that saw Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) dominate Rajasthan Royals (RR) with a commanding 44-run victory. SRH posted a mammoth 286/6 in their 20 overs, powered by a sensational debut century from Ishan Kishan, before restricting RR to 242/6 despite a valiant fightback. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the thrilling encounter that showcased SRH’s batting might and set the tone for their IPL 2025 campaign.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Explosive Batting: Kishan Shines on Debut
SRH got off to a blazing start in the Powerplay (0.1–6.0 overs), plundering 94 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Travis Head set the tone with a rapid 67 off 32 balls (6×4, 3×6), reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. The openers raced to 50 in 3.4 overs, and by the first Strategic Timeout at 6 overs, SRH were 94/1, with Head (46) and Ishan Kishan (20) in full flow. Their second-wicket stand of 50 came off just 19 balls, highlighting their aggressive intent.
After Head’s departure, Ishan Kishan took charge, smashing his way to a 45-ball 106* (10×4, 6×6)—his maiden IPL ton and a dream debut for SRH. He reached his fifty off 25 balls and accelerated brilliantly, stitching a 50-run third-wicket partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy (19 off 22) in 22 balls. SRH crossed 100 in 6.4 overs, 150 in 11.2 overs, and 200 in 14.1 overs, with Kishan’s onslaught relentless. A late 50-run stand for the fourth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 13) in 22 balls propelled SRH to 250 in 17.4 overs, before finishing at 286/6. Kishan’s unbeaten knock earned him the Player of the Match award, while RR’s bowlers struggled to contain the carnage.
Key Moments:
- Powerplay fireworks: 94/1 in 6 overs.
- Kishan’s milestones: 50 off 25, 100 off 45.
- SRH’s 250 in 17.4 overs, their fourth 250+ total in IPL history.
Rajasthan Royals’ Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing a daunting 287, RR started strongly in their Powerplay (0.1–6.0 overs), scoring 77/3. Sanju Samson, brought in as an Impact Player sub for Fazalhaq Farooqi, led the charge with a blistering 66 off 36 balls (6×4, 3×6), reaching his fifty in 26 balls. Dhruv Jurel matched him stroke for stroke, scoring 70 off 39 balls (5×4, 4×6) with a fifty off 28 balls. Their fourth-wicket partnership of 100 runs in 54 balls kept RR in the hunt, taking them to 100 in 8.1 overs and 150 in 12.6 overs.
However, SRH’s bowlers, bolstered by Impact Sub Adam Zampa (replacing Head), struck crucial blows. By the second Strategic Timeout at 15 overs, RR were 169/5, with Shimron Hetmyer (23* off 11) and Shubham Dubey (34* off 14) tasked with an improbable finish. Their sixth-wicket stand of 50 in 21 balls pushed RR past 200 in 17.2 overs, but the required rate proved too steep. Despite late heroics, RR ended at 242/6, falling 44 runs short.
Key Moments:
- Powerplay: 77/3 in 6 overs.
- Samson-Jurel 100-run stand in 54 balls.
- Late fightback: Hetmyer-Dubey’s 50 in 21 balls.
Match Flow and Tactical Nuances
- SRH Innings: The hosts capitalized on a flat Hyderabad pitch, with Head and Kishan dismantling RR’s attack early. Strategic Timeouts (94/1 at 6 overs, 219/3 at 16 overs) didn’t halt their momentum. Reviews, including an upheld wide call against Kishan at 11.5 overs, added drama but couldn’t derail SRH’s juggernaut.
- RR Innings: RR’s decision to bowl first backfired as their bowlers leaked runs. Samson and Jurel’s partnership gave hope, but SRH’s bowling tightened up post-Powerplay, with Zampa’s inclusion proving decisive.
Standout Performances
- *Ishan Kishan (106 off 45)**: A debut to remember, anchoring SRH to a colossal total.
- Travis Head (67 off 32): Set the platform with a brutal Powerplay assault.
- Sanju Samson (66 off 36): Led RR’s chase with flair but couldn’t finish.
- Dhruv Jurel (70 off 39): A sparkling knock that kept RR alive.
Impact Players
- SRH: Adam Zampa’s introduction bolstered their bowling, while subs like Jaydev Unadkat and Sachin Baby remained unused.
- RR: Sanju Samson’s 66 as an Impact Sub was a masterstroke, but others like Akash Madhwal stayed on the bench.
What It Means for IPL 2025
SRH’s 286/6—the second-highest IPL total—sent a warning to the league, showcasing their batting depth with six batsmen striking above 200. RR, despite the loss, showed resilience, minimizing the damage to their Net Run Rate. This high-scoring thriller underlined Hyderabad’s reputation as a batting paradise and set the stage for an explosive IPL 2025.
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For a detailed scorecard, visit ESPNcricinfo. The IPL 2025 rollercoaster continues—stay tuned!