The Indian Premier League has witnessed many exciting battles between bat and ball, and Sunrisers Hyderabad has always been known for having one of the toughest bowling attacks in the tournament. Since joining the IPL in 2013, SRH has built a fearsome reputation with their quality bowlers who have made life difficult for opposition batters. Yet, some exceptional players have managed to score big runs against this strong team, showing their class and determination match after match.
Scoring runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad requires special talent. Their bowling lineup featuring legends like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, and other quality bowlers has dismissed many top batters cheaply over the years. However, certain players have cracked the code and consistently performed well against SRH. These batters have shown the ability to handle swing bowling, counter clever spinners, and attack pace bowlers when needed.
Batter Who Made The Most Runs Against SRH In IPL: Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson stands at the top of this impressive list with 867 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Playing primarily for Rajasthan Royals and briefly for Delhi Capitals, Samson has shown remarkable consistency against SRH’s quality bowling attack. His elegant stroke play and ability to time the ball beautifully have troubled SRH bowlers throughout his career. Samson’s technique allows him to score runs all around the ground, making it difficult for opposition captains to set fields for him.
What makes Samson’s achievement even more impressive is his batting average of 45.63 against SRH, which shows he doesn’t just get starts but converts them into substantial scores. In 24 innings against SRH, he has scored one century and five fifties, proving his ability to play long innings when his team needs him most. His century came in 2019 when he scored an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, showing his ability to dominate even on SRH’s home ground.
Top 10 Players Who Made The Most Runs Against SRH In IPL:
Many batters have found success against Sunrisers Hyderabad over the years, but these ten players stand out for their consistent run scoring and match winning performances. Each has brought their unique style and approach to tackle SRH’s challenging bowling lineup.
| Player | Franchise(s) | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Sanju Samson | RR / DC | 867 | 45.63 | 139.16 |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 805 | 36.59 | 141.97 |
| Faf du Plessis | CSK / RPS / RCB | 624 | 34.66 | 144.44 |
| Shreyas Iyer | DC / KKR / PBKS | 567 | 37.80 | 131.55 |
| Shane Watson | RR / CSK | 566 | 35.37 | 144.38 |
| Rishabh Pant | DC | 558 | 39.85 | 144.18 |
| Nitish Rana | KKR / MI | 557 | 32.76 | 136.85 |
| Ambati Rayudu | MI / CSK | 549 | 42.23 | 129.48 |
| AB de Villiers | RCB / DC | 540 | 36.00 | 155.17 |
| Shubman Gill | KKR / GT | 535 | 48.63 | 131.77 |
1. Sanju Samson (867 Runs):
Sanju Samson leads the chart with 867 runs against SRH, showing exceptional consistency and class. His ability to adapt to different match situations has been key to his success. Samson’s timing and elegant stroke play make him a joy to watch, and he has consistently delivered important performances for his team against SRH.
His average of 45.63 is outstanding in T20 cricket, showing he builds big innings rather than just getting quick starts. Samson’s fearless approach combined with smart cricket makes him the most successful batter against SRH in IPL history.
2. Virat Kohli (805 Runs):
Virat Kohli has scored 805 runs against SRH, making him the second most successful batter in this rivalry. His technique and fitness allow him to play long innings and anchor the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli’s ability to rotate strike and find boundaries at crucial moments has frustrated SRH bowlers over the years.
He scored a magnificent century against SRH in 2023, which showcased his class and determination. Kohli’s experience of playing in all conditions and against all types of bowling makes him a constant threat to SRH’s plans.
3. Faf du Plessis (624 Runs):
Faf du Plessis has accumulated 624 runs against SRH with an excellent strike rate of 144.44. The South African opener brings international experience and smart cricket to his innings. His ability to read the game and pace his innings accordingly has been valuable for his teams.
Faf’s strong technique against both pace and spin makes him difficult to dismiss. He played a memorable unbeaten 73 in the 2018 IPL Qualifier against SRH, helping Chennai Super Kings reach the final with a crucial knock under pressure.
4. Shreyas Iyer (567 Runs):
Shreyas Iyer has scored 567 runs against SRH, showing his value as a middle order anchor. His solid technique and ability to build innings make him reliable in pressure situations.
Iyer’s strike rate might be lower than some explosive hitters, but his consistency in making important contributions has been valuable for his teams. He has scored three half centuries against SRH, showing his ability to convert starts into match winning scores.
5. Shane Watson (566 Runs):
Shane Watson scored 566 runs against SRH, using his all round abilities to great effect. The Australian legend’s power hitting and ability to clear boundaries made him dangerous in the powerplay and death overs.
Watson’s greatest achievement against SRH came in the 2018 IPL final when he scored an unbeaten 117 to win the championship for Chennai Super Kings. This innings remains one of the finest performances in IPL history and showed Watson’s ability to deliver in the biggest moments against quality bowling.
6. Rishabh Pant (558 Runs):
Rishabh Pant has scored 558 runs against SRH with an impressive average of 39.85 and strike rate of 144.18. The dynamic left handed wicketkeeper batter brings fearless aggression to every innings he plays. Pant holds the record for the highest individual score against SRH, smashing an unbeaten 128 in Delhi in 2018.
His ability to counter attack even the best bowlers makes him extremely dangerous. Pant’s innovative shot making and fearless approach have produced many match winning knocks for Delhi Capitals against SRH’s quality bowling attack.
7. Nitish Rana (557 Runs):
Nitish Rana has accumulated 557 runs against SRH with a strike rate of 136.85. The left handed batter has been a consistent performer for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians against SRH. Rana’s ability to play spin and pace with equal confidence makes him a valuable middle order option.
His aggressive stroke play and smart game awareness help his teams build momentum in the middle overs. Rana’s consistency in scoring runs against SRH’s challenging bowling lineup shows his quality as a T20 batter who can deliver under pressure situations.
8. Ambati Rayudu (549 Runs):
Ambati Rayudu accumulated 549 runs against SRH with an impressive average of 42.23. His ability to play according to match situations made him a valuable middle order batter.
Rayudu’s finest moment against SRH came in the 2018 IPL final when he opened the batting and played brilliantly alongside Shane Watson. His understanding of when to attack and when to defend has been key to his success against SRH’s disciplined bowling attack.
9. AB de Villiers (540 Runs):
AB de Villiers scored 540 runs against SRH with an outstanding strike rate of 155.17, the highest among the top 10 run scorers. Known as Mr. 360 for his ability to hit anywhere around the ground, de Villiers brought innovation and explosive power to every innings.
His unorthodox shots and incredible hand eye coordination made it extremely difficult for SRH bowlers to set fields. Even against quality bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan, he never backed down from taking risks, often turning matches single handedly with his fearless batting.
10. Shubman Gill (535 Runs):
Shubman Gill rounds out the top 10 with 535 runs against SRH at an excellent average of 48.63. The young Indian opener has shown remarkable maturity and class in his innings against SRH. Gill’s classical technique combined with modern T20 stroke play makes him a complete batter.
His ability to play long innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has been valuable for Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans. Gill’s consistency in converting starts into big scores shows his potential as one of India’s future batting superstars.
Memorable Innings Against Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Over the years, several batters have played extraordinary innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad that fans remember fondly. These special performances not only produced high scores but also changed match outcomes and created unforgettable moments in IPL history.
1. Rishabh Pant’s Record Breaking (128* off 63):
Rishabh Pant played one of the greatest innings in IPL history when he scored an unbeaten 128 off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Feroz Shah Kotla in 2018. Coming in at 43 for 3, the then 20 year old destroyed SRH’s quality bowling attack with fearless hitting. His innings included 15 fours and 7 sixes at an incredible strike rate of 203.17.
Pant was particularly brutal against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, smashing him for 26 runs in the final over including three consecutive sixes. He also took apart Rashid Khan, scoring 27 runs off just 13 balls against the Afghan legend. This knock made Pant the highest scoring Indian in IPL history at that time and announced his arrival as a superstar. Despite the loss, his innings remains one of the most memorable individual performances in IPL.
2. Shane Watson’s Final Masterclass (117* off 57):
Shane Watson played the innings of his life in the 2018 IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a challenging target at the Wankhede Stadium, Watson came out with clear intent and dominated the SRH bowling attack from start to finish.
Despite bleeding from his knee after being hit multiple times, Watson refused to leave the field and batted through pain to score an unbeaten 117. His knock included 11 fours and 8 sixes as he single handedly guided Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title. This innings remains one of the greatest performances in IPL final history.
3. Sanju Samson’s Classy Century (102* off 55):
Sanju Samson produced a masterclass of timing and stroke play when he scored 102 not out against SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in 2019. Playing at SRH’s home ground, Samson showed no fear as he took on their quality bowling attack.
His innings featured elegant cover drives, powerful pull shots, and smart running between wickets. Samson’s ability to find boundaries regularly while rotating strike kept Rajasthan Royals in control throughout the chase. This century announced Samson as one of the premier batters in IPL and showed his ability to perform on big stages.
Why SRH Struggled Against These Players?
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowlers, despite being among the best units in IPL history, have found it challenging to consistently dismiss these top quality batters. Several factors explain why SRH struggled against these particular players over the years. Many high scoring innings came at grounds with small boundaries and fast outfields that favor batters who can time the ball well, like Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
Players like Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson have exceptional knowledge of their home venues, understanding exactly where to hit the ball for boundaries. Despite having Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 spinners in the world, certain batters found ways to score against him through patience and smart cricket. Even quality swing bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar found it difficult when batters played positive cricket from the start.
Conclusion:
The Indian Premier League has given cricket fans countless thrilling moments, and the batters who consistently scored against Sunrisers Hyderabad have played a major role in creating these memories. From Sanju Samson’s elegant consistency to Shane Watson’s heroic final performance, from Virat Kohli’s technical excellence to MS Dhoni’s finishing masterclass, these players have shown that even the best bowling attacks can be conquered with skill, determination, and smart cricket.
These innings and overall records against SRH demonstrate what makes a great T20 batter in modern cricket. Success comes not just from hitting sixes or scoring quickly, but from adapting to different situations, handling pressure calmly, respecting good bowling while punishing mistakes, and most importantly, staying focused when facing the strongest bowling attacks.
FAQs:
Sanju Samson holds the record with 867 runs against SRH in 24 innings at an excellent average of 45.63, making him the highest run scorer against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Shubman Gill has the best average of 48.63 among top scorers, followed by Sanju Samson with 45.63 and Ambati Rayudu with 42.23 against SRH in IPL history.
AB de Villiers has the highest strike rate of 155.17 among the top 10 run scorers against SRH, showing his explosive batting ability against their bowling attack.
Rishabh Pant holds the record for the highest individual score against SRH with an unbeaten 128 runs off 63 balls scored in Delhi in 2018, which was the highest score by an Indian in IPL at that time.
Multiple batters including Rishabh Pant (128*), Shane Watson (117*), Sanju Samson (102*), and Virat Kohli (100) have scored centuries against SRH, showcasing the quality of batting performances against their strong bowling lineup.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
