RR Vs SRH: Revisiting Their Thrilling IPL Playoffs Encounter In 2013

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to face off in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24. This marks only the second time these teams will meet in the IPL playoffs.

Their first playoff encounter occurred in 2013. Rahul Dravid-led RR faced Cameron White's SRH in the Eliminator at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 22, 2013. Hyderabad elected to bat first but were restricted to 132/7 in their 20 overs.

Opener Parthiv Patel and number three batter Hanuma Vihari scored one run each, while opener Shikhar Dhawan contributed 33 off 39 balls. Captain Cameron White added 31, and Daren Sammy chipped in with 29 runs. SRH pacer Vikramjeet Malik picked up two wickets, while James Faulkner, Shane Watson, and Siddharth Trivedi took one wicket each.

In reply, Rajasthan Royals managed a thrilling run-chase despite being reduced to 57/5 in 10 overs. Openers Rahul Dravid (12) and Ajinkya Rahane (18), along with number three batter Shane Watson (24), got starts but couldn't capitalise. Dravid was dismissed by Ishant Sharma, while Rahane fell to Amit Mishra. Karn Sharma took Watson's wicket.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik was dismissed for a duck, and Stuart Binny could only score two runs off six balls, both falling to Daren Sammy. A young Sanju Samson came in at six and scored 10 runs off 21 balls, forging a crucial 45-run partnership with Brad Hodge.

Samson was trapped LBW by Dale Steyn in the 16th over. James Faulkner then joined Hodge to take Rajasthan past the winning line on the second ball of the 20th over. Hodge remained unbeaten on 54 off 29 balls, partnering for an unbeaten 33-run stand with Faulkner (11* off 11). Hodge's innings included two fours and five sixes, earning him the Man of the Match award as RR secured a four-wicket win.

Following this victory, Mumbai Indians defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 and went on to win the IPL 2013 by defeating CSK.