HYDERABAD: The city is bracing for a severe heatwave—mercury has already breached the 40-mark and is rising. By the time Monday’s IPL action starts at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium, the weather might be the least of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s problems.
Because he’s walking into a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad with the kind of momentum that doesn’t really ask for permission. Misryoum newsroom reported that Sooryavanshi has been doing the damage in this edition with the nonchalance of a 15-year-old, taking apart bowlers and pushing pressure right back into Rajasthan’s opponents. And sure, that reputation has to be kept alive—he’s doing it in great style, apparently without even breaking stride.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, aren’t just winning—at least, not only in the “we got lucky” way. Their success at the top of the order has a structure: Sooryavanshi teamed up with Yasashvi Jaiswal, while Dhruv Jurel’s calm influence steadies things in the middle. It all adds up to a dominance that shows up in the Orange cap standings. Misryoum editorial desk noted that Sooryavanshi’s strike rate of 266.66 is a big reason Rajasthan can hurtle along like a burning train.
Even with that, SRH can’t afford to treat the numbers like a static picture. Abhishek Sharma’s strike rate of 218.64 has come with inconsistency, and that’s been part of the impact on Sunrisers. Misryoum analysis indicates SRH must have realised by now that last year’s template—chase or set a total above 200—is no longer a sure bet. From last season, when they were the envy of teams for breaching 200 for fun, the story has shifted. They piled up 286/6 in their last encounter against Rajasthan at this venue, and now the payback is expected to come in a similar coin… but one year in sport can change everything.
The weird part is SRH have had the ability to do it. They posted upwards of 200 thrice this year. They defended it against Kolkata Knight Riders to win by 65 runs—SRH’s only win so far in four matches—but then other outings slipped. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and, more recently, Punjab Kings made short work of their totals, and all of those were away games. In fact, they were put in on all four instances, including their only match at home against Lucknow Super Giants, when they were undone by Mohammed Shami’s craft.
And then there’s that one moment everyone keeps coming back to: Ishan Kishan’s 47-ball 106 in the high-scoring match between the two teams here last season, when SRH won by 44 runs. If the skipper can repeat that kind of innings, SRH’s attack—currently looking unsettled in the absence of Pat Cummins—might finally get something to hold onto. Also, it’s hard not to notice the match-up history. Misryoum editorial team stated that Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the last four IPL fixtures against Rajasthan Royals: by four wickets at Jaipur on May 7, 2023; by one run at Hyderabad on May 2, 2024; by 36 runs at Chennai on May 24, 2024; and by 44 runs at Hyderabad on March 23, 2025. Rajasthan’s last win over SRH was by 72 runs at Hyderabad on April 2, 2023.
Right now, though, the ground feels like it’s holding its breath—heat bouncing off the stadium seats, that dry air kind of hanging there. And SRH will need more than comfort. They’ll need to stop Rajasthan’s top from doing what it does, then find their own rhythm before the game slips away… actually, it already might be, depending on how early Sooryavanshi gets going.
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