In Indian Premier League (IPL) Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals are one of the most followed rivalries. They have transcended IPL seasons as one continues to capture the attention of fans. The DC vs SRH rivalry, like many other sports rivalries, goes beyond just team clashes. There is competition in individual brilliance, tactics, and fluctuating dynamics.
Hyderabad and Delhi, the two franchises of Indian Premier League have their fair share of ups and downs evergreen fans entertaining with mixed performances have had mixed results over the years. The Delhi-SRH rivalry after everything has kept the fans at the edge of their toes and the franchises imagining what can unfold in the future seasons.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals Timeline
2013 – 2015: The Earnest of A Heated Rivalry
The journey kicked off in 2013 when the Sunrisers made their debut in IPL. They debuted against Delhi which at that time was titled Delhi ‘Dare’ devils. The first match was a tight run with Hyderabad clinching the match with a close 3 wicket victory.
The support continued pouring in from the Hyderabad franchise during 2014 season as they continued boasting their ‘battle armor’ and completely overawing Delhi in Visakhapatnam.
2016–2018: Shifting Momentum
In 2015, the Delhi Capitals ended the streak. In a nail-biter at Visakhapatnam, they managed to defend a meager total and triumphed by 4 runs. This match suggested that the rivalry was on the verge of becoming more evenly matched and competitive.
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2016 – 2018: Competitive Clash and Emergent Stars
The Delhi season in 2016 was marked by a very strong and successful campaign where they triumphed with back-to-back league victories against SRH. The young side, bolstered with radical batting and aggressive bowling, was finding its form as the season went on. But in 2017, SRH came back strong and shared the wins with DC after rebuilding their core around David Warner and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, getting them a strong foothold.
In 2018, SRH were dominant in both fixtures against DC. One of the more fresher memories includes a remarkable 9 wicket win in the capital. With Kane Williamson remaining calm and guiding SRH while Rashid Khan was beginning to emerge as a match-winning bowler, SRH had a clear advantage.
2019 – 2020: Playoffs and Firecracker Performances
By 2019, both sides had secured a considerable amount of focus. They were regarded as serious contenders and faced off during the playoffs. Both teams split their league games 1-1, but the distinguishing factor came during the Eliminators. In a thrilling knockout encounter, Delhi chased down the target posted by SRH winning by two wickets which became their first playoff victory since 2012. This match proved to be a departure from reality for the young team.
In the 2020 season, SRH dominated this rivalry. They beat DC twice in the league stage, one of them being an 88 run victory in Dubai. Warner and Bairstow’s top-order along with Rashid Khan’s economical spells, thwarted Delhi’s plans. Of DC, they made it to the finals, which, considering the context, was the biggest blow for SRH.
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2021–2022: A New Era for Delhi Capitals
DC turned the tables in 2021 and the rivalry included a nail biting super over, which DC won due to calm batting and excellent last minute bowling. Rabada, Nortje and Ashwin in the bowling unit caused massive issues to SRH’s batsmen.
In 2022, the pattern continued with DC winning again, this time by 21 runs. Newly switched to DC, David Warner scored an important fifty, making this encounter even more exciting in the context of the growing rivalry.
2023–2024: Even But Tough Matches
The rivalry reached a new level of balance in 2023. Each team won one match apiece, leveling the overall standing and the rivalry was the strongest it had ever been.
In 2024 SRH showed one of their best performances beating DC with a stunning score of 67. This match was a showcase of the incredible batting of Heinrich Klaasen and Mayank Agarwal and was followed by a well-judged bowling by Marco Jansen and Umran Malik.
2025: Starc’s Fire and the Latest Chapter
A different remarkable incident is revealed from the history of Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals timeline in 2025. In the 2025 season, with Delhi Capitals, Mitchell Starc was a great bowler in which he scored his first five wickets of the course of an IPL match. He took 5 for 35 while limiting the total of SRH to 163.
Thanks to Rishabh Pant’s steady batting as well as Prithivi Shaw’s intense playing, DC chased the total easily. DC took the win with seven wickets and proved the dominance of their team while signaling their plans for the upcoming season.
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Key Players Who Defined The Rivalry
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan is the player who has represented both teams, has been exceptional as a player. He is among the top scorers of runs during SRH and DC time with more than 575 runs. This is due to his experience and versatility that makes him a regular on the field.
David Warner
The Australian powerhouse was an important player for SRH but he later moved to DC in the same position, where he maintained his impressive performances. Warner is credited with more than 500 runs during this match and was a major contributor for both teams.
Rashid Khan
Although he isn’t a player with SRH now, his mark on the rivalry is notable. His leg-spin and ferocious control have been key to the success of SRH. When he played DC the team won 15 wickets.
Rishabh Pant
The captain of DC as well as the team’s most famous poster boy, Pant is still one of the best players to follow. Pant’s 128-run knock against SRH is considered to be one of the most memorable IPL innings of all time, marking the turning point of this match.
Significant Games From the Rivalry
The Eliminator for 2019: DC caused an upset by eliminating SRH during the playoffs. The match was exciting since DC beat SRH by two wickets.
2020 League match: SRH defeated DC with 88 runs, demonstrating their dominance overall.
2021 Super Over: A close game in which DC emerged on top from a match that was tied.
2025: Starc five for, and a 7-wicket victory for DC has added a new chapter.
Strategic Trends Over Time
1. Batting firepower: Both teams have depended on the top order for aggression. Warner, Dhawan, Bairstow, Pant, and Shaw are all trying to win games in the powerplay.
2. Speed vs. Spin: As SRH established their reputation on the spin (Rashid Khan), DC invested in pure pace, including Rabada, Nortje as well as Starc.
3. Leadership Changes: The team has experienced captaincy change–from Warner Williamson to Williamson in SRH and between Shreyas Iyer Rishabh Pant in DC. Each had a distinct impact in terms of strategy.
Fan Engagement and Cultural Impact
The matches between these two teams have become not just games, they have become hot topics and the source of memes. The battles between the fans have found their way onto social media.
Further, as the cultural nuances revealed by the match, there are also dedicated southern fans who are in support of SRH as well as the capital city that symbolizes DC which is escalating their support for DC to a greater extent.
This match is crucial since many players have changed teams like Warner, Dhawan, and Amit Mishra, which drives the rivalry in every game.
FAQs
Q1. What are the head-to-head results for SRH DC and DC?
In the 2025 season, SRH and DC have faced one another 24 times. SRH is the leader in head-to-head matches with 13 wins. DC has been awarded 11 victories.
Q2: Who scored the highest number of runs in DC and SRH games?
Shikhar Dhawan is at the top of the charts of runs in this series, racking up more than 575 runs in a span of seasons.
Q3: Who has the record for having the most impressive bowling performance in this match?
Mitchell Starc holds the best bowling statistics in a game against SRH and DC having 5/35 by 2025.
Q4: Which game is considered to be the biggest clash in the history of DC as well as SRH?
The 2021 match that ended in a Super Over is widely regarded as the most thrilling contest between the two sides.
Q5: Have any of the players have played both for SRH as well as DC?
Some players, such as David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Amit Mishra, were players in both teams during the IPL.
