The Indian Premier League 2026 heads to the “Pink City” for Match 36 as Rajasthan Royals (RR) host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 25 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

This fixture promises a tactical battle between RR’s balanced, spin-heavy bowling attack and SRH’s high-velocity batting lineup. Known for its larger boundaries and relatively slower surface compared to other Indian venues, Jaipur often provides a contest where smart bowling and calculated power-hitting take centre stage.

RR enter this home fixture placed 3rd in the IPL 2026 standings. They have played strong cricket this season and own 5 wins and 2 defeats from 7 games. They won their last contest against LSG in a low-scoring affair at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

SRH, meanwhile, have been the season’s entertainers. They are currently 4th. Another win will help the side consolidate their position in the top 4. From 7 games, they have 4 wins and three defeats.

Ishan Kishan led SRH for the 1st 7 games, and now Pat Cummins makes a return. He will be a valuable addition as a leader and fast bowler. He will replace Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka.

Head-to-Head Record Between RR and SRH

From 22 IPL meetings, RR are 9-13 against SRH. At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the teams have clashed 4 times and are 2-2.

Probable XI of Both Teams

RR Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma.

Impact Player: Sandeep Sharma

SRH Probable XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, Pat Cummins (c), Harsh Dubey/Praful Hinge, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga. Impact Player: Sakib Hussain.

Sawai Mansingh Stadium: Venue Insights

Inaugurated in 1969, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a classic venue that has witnessed numerous historic IPL moments. Unlike the modern “batter’s graveyards,” Jaipur features expansive square boundaries (averaging 68-72 meters) and long straight boundaries.

This makes it one of the few grounds where doubles and triples are common, placing a high premium on the fielders’ athleticism and the batters’ running between the wickets. RR have played 68 games here and own a 38-24 win-loss record.

What is the Pitch Like at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium?

The pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium traditionally offers a more equitable balance between bat and ball. The surface is often a “sporting” one, providing some movement for the new ball bowlers under the lights and a steady grip for spinners as the match progresses. While the bounce is reliable, it isn’t as lightning-fast as Mumbai or Bengaluru, meaning batters need to spend a few balls finding their timing.

In recent seasons, the trend has shifted toward slightly higher scores, but 200 remains a very formidable total here. Pacers who can extract seam movement early—like Trent Boult—are particularly dangerous. In the middle overs, the large boundaries play into the hands of clever spinners who aren’t afraid to toss the ball up. Chasing is often preferred here due to the potential for evening dew, which can make the ball skid on and neutralise the spin threat in the second innings.

Key Stats & Records at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium

The record for the highest team total was set in 2025 by PBKS against RR. They scored 219/5. SRH and MI scored 217/6 and 217/2 against RR as well.

The lowest team total remains RR’s 59 all out against RCB in 2023, a reminder that the pitch can become difficult if it starts to grip.

On the batting front, Ajinkya Rahane is the highest run-getter at this venue (1115). Shane Watson is next with 875 runs.

In bowling, Siddharth Trivedi bagged 36 wickets here at 22.69. Shane Warne is next with 20 scalps, whereas Watson bagged 19 wickets.

RR vs SRH: Weather Forecast

Jaipur in late April is intensely hot. For this evening’s match, temperatures are expected to start at around 38°C and drop to a relatively pleasant 28°C as the night progresses. Humidity will be low, but the dry heat can be taxing for the players. There is no threat of rain, though a slight evening breeze often blows across the stadium, which can affect the flight of the ball.

RR vs SRH: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?

The Sawai Mansingh surface offers a tactical advantage to the side with superior spin and death bowling. Rajasthan Royals may have the edge here, as the larger boundaries perfectly complement Ravi Bishnoi’s style of bowling. However, SRH’s strategy of all-out attack in the powerplay could put RR under pressure early. The team that wins the toss will likely choose to bowl first to capitalise on the dew factor, making the first six overs of each innings the most critical phases of the match. Notably, SRH have batted first in all seven games this season. So RR won’t mind batting first and make SRH chase.

FAQs – Pitch Report for Sawai Mansingh Stadium

What is the par-score at this venue?

A par score in Jaipur for 2026 is approximately 180-plus. A total above 195 is usually enough to defend, while anything below 160 is considered below par.

Who are the team captains?

Riyan Parag leads the Rajasthan Royals, while Pat Cummins captains the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

What is the summary of bowling conditions?

The new ball often swings for the first 3-4 overs. Spinners find more grip here than at most other venues, and the large boundaries help them stay in the game. Death bowlers with effective slower balls and wide yorkers are highly successful in restricting totals on this ground.