Take a look at the Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline to dive into the fortunes of two IPL franchises who have contested several memorable battles ever since Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the tournament in 2013. In the early years, Punjab also played under the name of Kings XI Punjab until it became known as Punjab Kings in 2021. Their rivalry has seen dominating wins, tight finishes, brilliant centuries, big run-chases and bowling feats over the seasons. This pendulum has swung back and forth, making this among the more intriguing fixtures to keep track of during IPL.

2013: The Beginning of the Rivalry

In the 2013 IPL season, Sunrisers Hyderabad debuted in the IPL and this started a new Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline. Even in the first match, SRH proved to be tough challengers for Punjab. Criczoo stated SRH won both the league encounters that season, which showed their capacity to defend a competitive total as well as chase totals down. The disciplined bowling and organised approach of SRH played too much for Punjab to handle. The first season had just begun to build a rivalry but for Sunrisers, the mental edge was huge and that made an impact on this thrilling IPL contest.

2014: Punjab Kings Come Back

The 2014 season changed everything about the rivalry. After being beaten home and away by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013, Kings XI Punjab opened Q3 with a double victory over their foes of last summer. In Sharjah, Punjab put together a solid batting display before bowling SRH out for a meagre total. Punjab, however, chased down in excess of 200 runs in their second win which made the run chase all the more impressive. In these performances, Punjab showed that they would give SRH a run for their money with both bat and ball.

SRH CEO Kashi Vishwanathan: Dismissal of Yuvraj Singh Triggered The Collapse

The rivalry tipped back in favour of Sunrisers Hyderabad again during the 2015 season. Out of the two matches that SRH played against Kings XI Punjab, they managed to secure one victory and pull off a second one in the league stage. With the second match being a close one wherein Sunrisers managed to defend their total by a margin of merely five runs. Those kinds of finishes became a (not atypical) hallmark of the rivalry. While Punjab had their moments of threatening SRH, Sunrisers consistently found ways to master pivotal segments and walk away with wins from many tight encounters.

2016 Brings Another SRH Double

In 2016, Sunrisers Hyderabad maintained the same form and won both matches against Punjab. While one encounter saw SRH win by five wickets, chasing a competitive Punjab total of 161 in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Mohali hosted another Sunrisers chase. The results showed how balanced SRH’s squad has been through this phase. Their batting unit dealt with the pressure well while their bowling attack constantly delivered wickets at crucial junctures. However, Punjab struggled against eventual winners of the tournament.

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Sunrisers Hyderabad maintain 2017 streak SRH was victorious in both games, including a nail-biter by five runs at Hyderabad and an easier win in Mohali. SRH had managed to just defend the moderate total under some pressure as evidenced by the narrow first win, and then their batting showed they could surpass 200 quite easily in the second win. In the overall head to head record till this stage in the timeline of Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, SRH held a healthy lead.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Chris Gayle History 2018

As far as the history of this rivalry goes, supporters of Punjab witnessed one of its more memorable moments in 2018. MOS021216 — Mohali, February 21 : Kings XI Punjab batsman Chris Gayle in action during the T20 match against Sikkim at I.S. Bindra Stadium on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017 With this triumph, Punjab secured a 15-run victory over the match. In the reverse fixture, Sunrisers Hyderabad hit back with an authoritative bowling display to beat Punjab. They both ended with a win apiece that season, but Gayle’s batting display was one of the most memorable moments of their rivalry.

2019 Produces Two Different Stories

The unpredictability of the rivalry was evident in the two matches they played in 2019. The opening match saw Punjab Kings take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in a nail-biting chase, eventually crossing the line just in time. In the reverse fixture, SRH managed to make a big statement with a comfortable win after scoring over 200 runs. The results were not what either side expected, clearly showing that neither approach was the clear winner. Punjab were starting to be able to match SRH toe-to-toe but Sunrisers always had perhaps the most powerful batting available when it came off.

High Scores and Close Bowling in 2020

While the 2020 IPL season was held in the United Arab Emirates, the rivalry did not disappoint with wild swings between fortunes. In another case, Sunrisers Hyderabad took a very trusty 69-spherical victory after exceeding 200. In the second meeting, Punjab countered with defence of a fairly modest total, conceding just 114 runs to SRH. This meant the season ended with one win apiece for both sides once again. A curious element of this rivalry, highlighted in the matches, was that it could be one-sided depending on whether batting or bowling came to the fore.

2021: Punjab Kings Beat Rajasthan Royals By 5 Runs

One of the most dramatic low-scoring finishes between the two teams came as recently as the 2021 season. Sunrisers Hyderabad easily took the win in their opener, but were outplayed by Punjab Kings for what proved a short-lived return at their next meeting. Batting first, Punjab mustered a paltry 125 runs but successfully defended the target by skittling SRH for 120/7. The exhibition of focus and adherence to their plans by Punjab was evident when they were able to defend a very small total of 107, which showcases their attitude and discipline as bowlers, as well as an earnest will to win. It also proved that this rivalry wasn’t purely high-scoring cricket with some bowlers having a huge influence.

2022 Continues the Competitive Pattern

Neither conditioned for unleashed violence and indifference if power was involved, the 2022 season mirrored two by two before: one in a win. Kings XI Punjab: Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to chase KXIP’s target with ease in the first match, winning by seven wickets. Later in the tournament, Punjab also gave a reply by edging past SRH in a close encounter. The result demonstrated just how much this fixture had become a difficult one to call. It means neither side was likely to record the sort of one-sided success where it dominated every game; rather, both were capable of a winning performance depending on the conditions, momentum and individual contributions.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Win in 2023

The meeting in 2023 was also staged in Hyderabad, where Sunrisers prevailed by a comfortable margin. Batting first, Punjab Kings could only manage a score of 143/9 giving SRH a palatable target. Sunrisers wrapped up the win with eight wickets remaining and in just a little over 17 overs. The result provided SRH yet another win in the ongoing rivalry and also underlined their prowess with regards to chasing par totals. That left Punjab’s bowlers with little margin for error in chasing a total not large enough.

2022 Continues the Competitive Pattern

Great news for James fans, the even more familiar one wins each for the 2022 season. Sunrisers Hyderabad easily chased Punjab target in their only previous encounter, winning by seven wickets. Punjab countered it later in the tournament by beating SRH in a close contest. The result hardly boded well for just how hard it had become to guess this fixture. What followed was two sides being able to churn out a win based on conditions and momentum but not having one team pound the other into submission for 4 quarters.

2024 Produces Two Thrilling Matches

One of the most thrilling chapters in the history of Punjab Kings vs SRH timeline was when both teams faced each other during the 2024 season as the two matches turned out to be nailbiters. SRH then followed that up with a two-run victory over Punjab, having defended its total in the first encounter. The return fixture was another game similar to this, with Sunrisers Hyderabad chasing a tally of more than 200 runs and clinching it with additional wickets left. These encounters not only displayed the brilliance of contemporary IPL batting, but also how rapidly fortunes can shift in a T20 battle.

The Two-Run Thriller of 2024

Sunrisers Hyderabad pipped the Punjab franchise by 2 runs in a close encounter which makes their first meeting of 2024 a must-watch. PBKS managed to put up a score of 180/6 against SRH’s 182/9 but missed it by just some runs. Sunrisers can offer extra contributions with bat and ball from Nitish Kumar Reddy. It proved to be how each little thing matters in T20, that one dot ball and boundary can make a difference. It was Punjab’s most frustrating defeat because the target remained in sight until near the end of what turned out to be an unsuccessful chase.

SRH Chase 215 Against Punjab (2024)

A dazzling display of batting was seen again in a second meeting within the 2024 calendar year. Runs were scored gently until his wicket fell, but it was enough for Punjab Kings to put up 214/5 and give themselves a perfect platform to end the season with a win against SRH. But Sunrisers Hyderabad launched an aggressive chase and got to 215/6 in just a little over 19 overs. SRH’s match-winning chase proved they were not afraid to back their batting prowess, even when posting mammoth targets. Another indication that even totals above 200 were no longer safe in modern-day IPL cricket.

2025 Becomes a Record-Breaking Chapter

It was the 2025 contest when Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad went down as one of their most sensational battles Batting first, Punjab Kings posted 245/6 which looked as a nearly impossible target. But Sunrisers came back with one of their deadliest chases in the IPL. They had got to 247/2 in merely 18.3 overs. The contest yielded an incredible 492 runs in total and was a further indication of the cavalier approach now being taken by many T20 batsmen.

Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive 141

Abhishek Sharma delivered an outstanding show in the 2025 contest, slamming 141 runs off just 55 balls. His innings turned the match around completely. A massive 245-run target had loomed large in front of him, but even as Abhishek aggressively stroked his way through the innings, SRH maintained an incredible run rate throughout their chase. It was one of the more notable individual performances in Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad history and showed how a single batter can make a chase that previously seemed impossible, suddenly very achievable indeed.

Punjab Kings Respond in 2026

An interesting twist in the recent story came with the 2026 season. In a high-scoring thriller, Punjab Kings edged Sunrisers Hyderabad by 4 runs. Punjab amassed 223/4, leaving SRH with a tough target to chase. SRH came back into the match strongly reaching 219/6 but Punjab managed to remain calm towards the end. But four runs is worth far more than just a few points, as they put an end to the recent hoodoo SRH skipper Kane Williamson has held over the Punjab franchise, and proved once again that Sunrisers’ star-studded batting line-up can be toppled.

By Season Results: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

The fuller timeline uncovers a series of phases in this rivalry. SRH were strong in the first couple of years, but from 2018 Punjab became far more competitive and then Sunrisers reigned over their rivals with some gusto from 2023 to 2025. The 2026 triumph for Punjab brought another chapter to the tale and kept open yet somewhat tight the least three-fifty rivalry between her parties.

Season	Punjab Kings/Kings XI Punjab	Sunrisers Hyderabad
2013	0 wins	2 wins
2014	2 wins	0 wins
2015	0 wins	2 wins
2016	0 wins	2 wins
2017	0 wins	2 wins
2018	1 win	1 win
2019	1 win	1 win
2020	1 win	1 win
2021	1 win	1 win
2022	1 win	1 win
2023	0 wins	1 win
2024	0 wins	2 wins
2025	0 wins	1 win
2026	1 win*	—

*Results for the Waltheria meeting of April 11th, 2026.

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Classic Contests in the Rivalry

There are some matches which have carved a special mention in the history ever since Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad story began as they turned the stamp in momentum or came up with some otherworldly individual performances. Notable mentions include 2018 Chris Gayle century; Punjab’s 5-run defence, SRH’s 2-run win and the cheeky run chase of 2025. The latest one-run thriller, a four-run victory for Punjab in 2026 completed a series of cliffhangers between the rivals.

The most notable moments include:

• In 2018, Chris Gayle scored an unbeaten century to guide Punjab in the win against SRH.
• Punjab defend 125 in a five-run victory (2021)
• SRH win a nail-biter by two runs in 2024
• 2024: SRH successfully chase 215.
• 141 from 55 balls by Abhishek Sharma – 2025
• 2026: Punjab defend 223 for a four-run victory.

Key Moments Within the Rivalry Between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad

There have also been a few major turning points in the rivalry. The first was in 2014, when Punjab avenged its defeat to the now-SRH by turning around both the results of IPL 2013 (this too, Punjab beat SRH twice). A 2018, when Punjab started matching up much more favorably against a Sunrisers team which had fielded them ruthlessly for three seasons. In continuing with the trend of 2024 and 2025 campaigns further pushing momentum toward SRH, Punjab’s victory in 2026 offered an emphatic reply.

It adds some spice to the rivalry from more than just a head-to-head statistic as their respective careers transition through phases. The teams have consistently adjusted to different players, coaches, strategies and playing conditions.

The Involvement of Batting in the Rivalry

Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad high-scoring cricket has become part of the identityThe last two Punjab Kings versus Sunrisers Hyderabad matches have witnessed a paradigm shift. Both franchises have been home to explosive batters who are capable of turning games on their heads in just a few overs. The high totals achieved by Punjab and the heavy-hitting run chases from SRH have ensured numerous matches that go down to the wire. This is the best case in point of that with SRH staring down the barrel, having to chase 245 after Punjab seemed to have everything under control.

This makes the clash a thrilling illustration of modern T20 batting, where cool self-compositionatility, hitting barriers out of the chasing venue (or grounds.Globalization) and going in any sense that necessary above is generally alluded to have an impact as well.

Bowling Has Also Given Convincing Results

While batting has taken centre stage in many recent battles, on several occasions it was bowling that influenced the outcome of key games. One prime example is last years five-run victory in favour of Punjab when, Armed with a mere 125 runs to defend, they managed to come out on top. The wickets also tumbled in previous games too for SRH similarly limiting Punjab to an attainable under. Bowling in the last five overs of a T20 match when under pressure is as crucial an issue as scoring runs quickly and this rivalry has shown that principle time and time again.

Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Rivalry: Why It Is Special

Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline has its charms for all the unpredictability it brings with it. Sunrisers cleaned up in the early days, Punjab hit back hard, teams exchanged blows and then Sunrisers took charge again. It too has evolved through different generations of IPL stars — lending each new patch of years a unique character.

What also keeps the rivalry interesting are those game situations, again. There have been big totals, chases that have worked and not, low-scoring games, tight finishes and individual batting masterclass. Most times, the games between the two franchises already have veered into whatever secondhand horizon of weird.

Story of Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad Rivalry Going Forward

Expect this rivalry to stay exciting moving forward with both teams continuing to build fresh cycles while also acquiring younger players all around. Gone are the days of watching slow chases when KXIP met SRH, with IPL cricket in general being increasingly more ruthless, and upcoming chances to watch Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad matches could well be even bigger totals and speedier run chases. Of course, strategic bowling, usage of impact players and changing match conditions will make these contests entirely different.

Punjab managed to prove that they can take on SRH again, as the 2026 result came after a dominating run of Sunrisers dominance over the ages. More meetings are in the future for both franchises, so this dramatic timeline may continue adding remarkable chapters moving forward.

Conclusion

From shifts of power to big hitting to heart stopping finishes, the timeline of Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad is a story that has been as ever changing. Sunrisers Hyderabad had a great beginning to the rivalry, first winning both matches in 2013 and also having substantial control during different seasons afterwards. Eventually more competitive ties were produced as Punjab improved from the late 2010s.

The recent seasons have put the tide back in favour of SRH, especially with batting displays like 2024 and 2025. Yet Punjab’s four-run victory in 2026 suggests the contest is still too close to call. As both sides are still finding new match-winners, it promises to be an exciting time for IPL fans as the rivalry turns a page further.

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