The Indian Premier League has provided many nail-biting contests, but few rivalries come close to the drama and intensity of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI). From SRH’s arrival in 2013, this contest has become an intriguing duel between potent batting strength and clever bowling strategy. For 13 years, both sides enjoyed dominance, heartbreak, and redemption.
2013: The First Encounter
Sunrisers Hyderabad debuted in 2013, succeeding the disbanded Deccan Chargers. Their first IPL encounter with Mumbai Indians happened that same season. Led initially by Kumar Sangakkara and later Cameron White, SRH defended a modest total at home, aided by Dale Steyn’s fiery bowling that devastated MI’s middle order. MI retaliated in the return fixture at Wankhede Stadium with Dinesh Karthik’s steady innings, leveling the head-to-head 1-1. Mumbai Indians then won their first IPL title in 2013, whereas SRH made their presence felt by qualifying for the playoffs in their first season.
2014: Creation of Balanced Units
Both sides began 2014 with solid teams. Mumbai had Rohit Sharma’s consistent captaincy holding it together, while SRH began building around Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Mumbai Mumbai won both the league matches, with Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard displaying destructive batting towards the end.
2015: MI’s Title March and SRH’s Near Miss
Mumbai Indians, under Rohit Sharma’s dynamic leadership and Lasith Malinga’s accurate death bowling, won their second IPL title in 2015. MI brushed aside both encounters with SRH that year, featuring a classy chase spearheaded by Pollard and a tight bowling performance keeping SRH to 140 in Hyderabad. SRH fell short of the playoffs by a hair, ending sixth.
2016: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Dominance
2016 witnessed a dramatic turn of events as SRH won their maiden IPL championship on the back of David Warner’s opening fireworks and a world-class bowling attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman. SRH thrashed MI twice during the league stage: Warner’s blitz fifty in Visakhapatnam paved the way for a comprehensive victory, while Mustafizur’s astute cutters laid waste to the top order of MI in another match. While MI struggled, SRH carried their momentum to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the thrilling final.
2017-2018: Competitive Equilibrium
In 2017, rivalry balance returned with each team winning once. Rashid Khan’s early dominance for SRH was notable in his IPL debut season, while MI’s Nitish Rana and Pollard led an impressive chase at Wankhede. The 2018 season brought intense battles as SRH’s bowling depth and MI’s defending champion status clashed. SRH edged MI by one wicket in a nail-biter at home, powered by Deepak Hooda’s six off Ben Cutting in the final over. SRH repeated their upset in Mumbai, defending a low total with disciplined bowling. SRH finished second on the points table while MI missed the playoffs.
2019: MI’s Resurgence
Mumbai Indians came back to claim their fourth IPL championship in 2019. Quinton de Kock and Alzarri Joseph were the stars at Hyderabad, with Joseph taking a stunning 6/12 on his debut—best IPL bowling figures ever. In their second match, MI beat SRH in a Super Over thrill ride at Wankhede, showcasing Jasprit Bumrah’s composure under stress.
2020: Pandemic Bubble Drama
The 2020 IPL was held entirely in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MI remained dominant, securing a fifth title. SRH managed a crucial win against MI in the league with Wriddhiman Saha’s dazzling unbeaten 87, underlining their ability to perform in clutch moments. Overall, Mumbai’s strong bowling attack led by Bumrah, Boult, and Suryakumar Yadav made them formidable opponents.
2021-2022: Transition and Rebuilding
Both sides were in transition in 2021. SRH’s internal problems and David Warner’s sidelining affected their consistency, whereas MI suffered from a mid-season dip despite efforts from Pollard and Ishan Kishan. MI won both encounters easily, emphasizing SRH’s fall from the heights of 2016. In 2022, SRH refreshed with new faces such as Umran Malik and Abhishek Sharma. In a high-scoring Wankhede game, SRH defeated MI thanks to Rahul Tripathi’s aggressive 76 off 44. MI ended the season shaky, and SRH finished eighth as both focused on future rebuilding.
2023: Youth Takes Center Stage
The 2023 season marked a fresh era with Aiden Markram leading SRH, while MI revitalized their squad around young Indian stars Tilak Varma and Cameron Green. MI’s Green smashed a brutal 64* in a high-scoring thrashing of SRH in Hyderabad. He also made IPL history by scoring a century (100* off 47) in the return fixture, helping MI secure a playoff spot. SRH’s season ended disappointingly, but fans remained optimistic about their young squad’s potential.
2024: SRH’s Comeback
2024 was SRH’s turning point as a side under Pat Cummins’ fierce determination and tactical genius, becoming one of the most exciting sides. SRH scored an all-time high 277/3 at home against MI, IPL’s record highest total, with the help of Travis Head’s 62 off 24 and Abhishek Sharma’s 63 off 23. Despite Tilak Varma and Tim David’s heroic performances, MI lost by a margin of 31 runs. MI replied in the Wankhede match with Rohit Sharma’s gritty fifty, taking a closer game. By this year, MI was leading the head-to-head 12-10 in IPL matches.
2025: MI Increases Margin
Mumbai Indians dominated the 2025 season of the IPL with two successes against SRH in the initial part of the campaign. On April 17, MI pulled off an Apr target at Wankhede with a four-wicket victory. On April 23 in Hyderabad, MI secured a seven-wicket victory defending a modest total of 143/8, led by Rohit Sharma’s 70 off 46 and key bowling performances from Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah. This pushed MI’s all-time head-to-head lead to approximately 14 wins to SRH’s 10, with one tied match, underlining MI’s current edge but also the spirited nature of the rivalry.
Key Performers in the Rivalry
- Highest Runs: David Warner (~620 runs)
- Highest Wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (~20 wickets)
- Best Bowling Figure: Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 in 2019
- Most Iconic Match: SRH’s 277/3 record score in 2024
Legacy of the Rivalry
The SRH-MI rivalry is among the IPL’s most respected contests, driven by cricketing excellence rather than animosity. SRH’s focus on nurturing young Indian fast bowlers (from Siraj to Umran Malik) contrasts with MI’s consistent scouting and squad depth, setting benchmarks for franchise success and team culture.
Looking Ahead: IPL 2026 and Beyond
As both franchises prepare for IPL 2026, the rivalry promises more excitement. MI aims to maintain its lead while integrating fresh talent under Rohit Sharma’s mentorship. SRH, led by Pat Cummins’ bold strategy, seeks to challenge MI’s dominance. With a near-even win-loss ratio and consistently thrilling fixtures, this rivalry embodies one of IPL’s greatest stories of strategic brilliance and power hitting.
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