Sunrisers Hyderabad face Rajasthan Royals in Match 21 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at Hyderabad, with contrasting form setting up a high-stakes encounter. SRH aim to revive their campaign, while RR look to extend their unbeaten run.
Match details
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Date: April 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST | 7:00 AM PST | 2:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Sunrisers Hyderabad have endured an inconsistent start, managing just one win from their first four matches. Despite possessing an explosive batting lineup, the team has struggled to maintain momentum across games. Led by Ishan Kishan, SRH now face a must-win scenario to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Rajasthan Royals have been one of the most dominant teams in IPL 2026 so far. Under the leadership of Riyan Parag, the Royals remain unbeaten after four matches. Their balanced squad, featuring strong top-order contributions and effective bowling performances, has allowed them to control games consistently.
Key players
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has emerged as a breakout star this season. With 200 runs in four innings at an exceptional strike rate, he currently leads the scoring charts and provides explosive starts for RR.
For the Royals’ bowling unit, Ravi Bishnoi has been equally impactful. With nine wickets in four matches, the leg-spinner has consistently delivered breakthroughs and controlled the middle overs effectively.
Head-to-head record
Matches played: 21
Sunrisers Hyderabad wins: 12
Rajasthan Royals wins: 9
Tied: 0
No result: 0
Sunrisers Hyderabad hold a slight edge historically, though current form heavily favors Rajasthan Royals.
Pitch report
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has traditionally been a batting-friendly venue. While the first match of the season here produced a low-scoring contest, the surface generally supports stroke play. With both teams featuring aggressive batters, a high-scoring game is expected. Bowlers, particularly spinners, may find some assistance as the match progresses.
Probable playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Captain: Ishan Kishan)
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c & wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel
Impact Player: Jaydev Unadkat
Rajasthan Royals (Captain: Riyan Parag)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Player: Sandeep Sharma
Probable match scenarios
If Sunrisers Hyderabad bat first, they will target a total in the 205 to 215 range, relying on their top-order firepower. Their bowlers will then need to contain RR’s aggressive batting lineup in the middle overs.
If Rajasthan Royals bat first, they could aim for 200 to 210, building around a strong powerplay and steady middle overs. Their bowling attack will focus on maintaining pressure through wickets and controlling scoring phases.
The chasing side may have a slight advantage, depending on dew and conditions.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: JioStar Network channels, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad TV, local sports broadcasters
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go app
Australia: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Global: Official IPL streaming platforms and regional broadcast partners
Match prediction
Sunrisers Hyderabad face a tough challenge against an in-form Rajasthan Royals side. While SRH possess the firepower to turn things around, their inconsistency remains a concern. Rajasthan Royals have shown better balance, confidence, and execution throughout the tournament. Based on current form and team combination, Rajasthan Royals hold a clear edge and are more likely to continue their winning streak
