The battle between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is more than just a game; it is a high-octane clash of legacies. From the historic 2008 opener to the 1-run thrillers of 2024, this rivalry defines IPL’s drama. Brace yourself for a saga of world-class superstars and unforgettable finishes.
KKR vs RCB: Recent Match Timeline & Scorecard
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
KKR Score
RCB Score
Result
Player of the Match
IPL 2025
Kolkata
Mar 22, 2025
RCB (field)
174/8 (20)
175/3 (16.2)
RCB won by 7 wickets
Virat Kohli (RCB)
IPL 2024
Kolkata
Apr 21, 2024
RCB (field)
222/6 (20)
221 (20)
KKR won by 1 run
Andre Russell (KKR)
IPL 2024
Bengaluru
Mar 29, 2024
KKR (field)
186/3 (16.5)
182/6 (20)
KKR won by 7 wickets
Sunil Narine (KKR)
IPL 2023
Bengaluru
Apr 26, 2023
RCB (field)
200/5 (20)
179/8 (20)
KKR won by 21 runs
V. Chakaravarthy (KKR)
IPL 2023
Kolkata
Apr 6, 2023
RCB (field)
204/7 (20)
123 (17.4)
KKR won by 81 runs
Shardul Thakur (KKR)
IPL 2022
Navi Mumbai
Mar 30, 2022
RCB (field)
128 (18.5)
132/7 (19.2)
RCB won by 3 wickets
W. Hasaranga (RCB)
IPL 2021
Sharjah
Oct 11, 2021
RCB (bat)
139/6 (19.4)
138/7 (20)
KKR won by 4 wickets
Sunil Narine (KKR)
Upcoming KKR vs RCB Match Details
Match No.
Date
Time (IST)
Venue
Series
Streaming
Match 57
May 13, 2026
7:30 PM
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur
IPL 2026
JioHotstar
KKR vs RCB: Overall Head-to-Head Record (2008-2026)
Category
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Total Matches Played
36
36
Total Wins
21
15
Highest Total
222/3 (2008) & 222/6 (2024)
221 (2024)
Lowest Total
84/8 (2020)
49 (2017)
Most Runs
Gautam Gambhir (530)
Virat Kohli (1,021)
Most Wickets
Sunil Narine (27)
Yuzvendra Chahal (19)
Biggest Win (Runs)
140 runs (2008)
82 runs (2020)
The Epic Thriller: KKR vs RCB (IPL 2024)
Category
Match Details & Key Moments
Match Date
April 21, 2024
Venue
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR First Innings
222/6 (20 Overs)
RCB Second Innings
221 All Out (20 Overs)
The Result
KKR won by 1 Run
Top Scorer (KKR)
Shreyas Iyer (50 off 36 balls)
Top Scorer (RCB)
Will Jacks (55 off 32 balls)
The Last Over Drama
RCB needed 21 runs. Karn Sharma hit 3 sixes off Mitchell Starc, but was caught on the second-to-last ball.
The Final Ball
2 runs needed. Lockie Ferguson was run out attempting the second run to tie the game.
Player of the Match
Andre Russell (27* runs & 3 wickets)
KKR vs RCB: Major Tournament Knockouts & Historic Openers
Tournament
Stage
Date
Venue
Result
Impact
IPL 2021
Eliminator
Oct 11, 2021
Sharjah
KKR won by 4 wkts
Knocked RCB out of the tournament.
CLT20 2011
Group Stage
Sep 29, 2011
Bengaluru
KKR won by 9 wkts
Crucial win in the Champions League T20.
IPL 2008
Inaugural Match
Apr 18, 2008
Bengaluru
KKR won by 140 runs
The first-ever IPL match in history.
IPL 2025
Season Opener
Mar 22, 2025
Kolkata
RCB won by 7 wkts
First time RCB beat KKR in a season opener.
KKR vs RCB: All-Time Best Performers
Category
Player (Team)
Performance Stat
Significance
Most Runs
Virat Kohli (RCB)
1,021 Runs
Only player to cross 1,000 runs in this fixture.
Highest Score
Brendon McCullum (KKR)
158 (73 balls)*
The legendary knock that launched the first-ever IPL match in 2008.
Most Wickets
Sunil Narine (KKR)
27 Wickets
The most successful bowler in this rivalry, often picking key wickets.
Best Bowling
Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR)
4/15
His spin web dismantled RCB’s middle order in a crucial 2021 match.
Most Sixes
Chris Gayle (RCB/KKR)
40 Sixes
Dominated with the bat for both sides, but primarily for RCB.
Highest Avg.
Chris Gayle (RCB/KKR)
45.07
Shows his consistent impact whenever he played in this fixture.
Strike Rate King
Andre Russell (KKR)
188.14
Famous for his explosive finishes, especially at Eden Gardens.
The Captain’s Gambit: Strategic Moves That Flipped the Game
Match & Year
Captain
The Strategic Move
The Result
IPL 2017 (Kolkata)
Gautam Gambhir
Chose to open the bowling with three world-class pacers (Coulter-Nile, Woakes, de Grandhomme) on a green pitch.
RCB 49 All Out. The lowest total in IPL history.
IPL 2021 (Eliminator)
Eoin Morgan
Held back Sunil Narine specifically for Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli in the middle overs.
Narine took 4/21. He dismissed Kohli, Maxwell, and de Villiers, breaking RCB’s spine.
IPL 2024 (Bengaluru)
Shreyas Iyer
Deployed Sunil Narine as an Opener despite a string of low scores in previous seasons.
Narine scored 47 (22). He completely took the game away from RCB in the Powerplay.
IPL 2023 (Bengaluru)
Nitish Rana
Handed the ball to Varun Chakaravarthy for the final over of the Powerplay against a set Faf du Plessis.
Wicket of Faf. Chakaravarthy broke the 73-run opening stand and KKR won by 21 runs.
IPL 2025 (Kolkata)
Faf du Plessis
Used impact player Yash Dayal as a “death-over specialist” only for Andre Russell’s specific entry.
Russell Dismissed. Dayal’s wide yorkers stifled the chase, securing a rare win at Eden Gardens.
Impact Players: The X-Factors for May 2026
Player (Team)
Special Skill
Projected Impact
Rinku Singh (KKR)
Death Over Finishing
The ultimate chaser; his presence in the final 3 overs remains a nightmare for RCB bowlers.
Virat Kohli (RCB)
Powerplay Anchor
With over 1,000 runs against KKR, he remains the most consistent threat to their bowling attack.
Sunil Narine (KKR)
Mystery Spin & Hitting
His ability to break partnerships and provide explosive starts at the top makes him a dual-threat.
2011-2012: Gayle Storm and KKR’s Title Glory
The 2011-2012 era ignited the Gayle storm, as Chris Gayle unleashed devastation against KKR. In April 2011 at Eden Gardens, Gayle smashed an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls (including 10 fours and 7 sixes), powering RCB to chase 172 with 9 wickets in hand. Later that season in Bengaluru (rain-affected), Gayle starred again with quick runs and wickets for a D/L win. KKR struggled initially but turned it around in 2012, winning both clashes convincingly Gautam Gambhir’s leadership and Sunil Narine’s emergence fueled their maiden IPL title glory, adding pressure on RCB’s star-laden side.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
Highest Scorer
Best Bowler
Key Moment
Interesting Fact
1
Apr 22, 2011
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
RCB won by 9 wickets
Chris Gayle (RCB) 102* (55)
Sreenath Aravind (RCB) 2/37
Gayle’s maiden IPL century; explosive 175/1 chase in 18.1 overs
Fastest century chase in IPL 2011; Gayle announced arrival vs former team KKR
Gayle MoM again; quick cameo + wicket in KKR collapse to 89/4
3
Apr 10, 2012
Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru
KKR won by 42 runs
Jacques Kallis (KKR) or others
Lakshmipathy Balaji (KKR)
KKR restricted RCB to 123/9 after posting decent total
Balaji’s Player of the Match; KKR’s fightback begins
4
Apr 28, 2012
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR won by 47 runs
Gautam Gambhir (KKR) 93 (51)
Multiple seamers
Gambhir’s aggressive 93 set 190/4; RCB folded to 143/6
Gambhir’s masterclass; boosted KKR’s title-winning momentum in 2012
2014-2016: KKR’s Second Title, RCB’s Heartbreak
The 2014-2016 period marked KKR’s resurgence with their second IPL title in 2014, while RCB endured heartbreak, reaching the 2016 final but falling short. In 2014, KKR dominated head-to-head, winning both: a thrilling 2-run victory in Sharjah (Chris Lynn’s 45 key) and a 30-run win in Kolkata (Robin Uthappa’s 83). 2015 saw mixed results RCB chased in rain-hit games with Gayle and de Villiers shining. 2016 brought fireworks: KKR chased 186 via Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell’s blitz, but RCB crushed 184 in return with Kohli (75*) and AB de Villiers (59*) unbeaten. Gambhir’s leadership clashed with RCB’s star power, building intense pressure.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
Highest Scorer
Best Bowler
Key Moment
Interesting Fact
1
Apr 24, 2014
Sharjah
KKR won by 2 runs
Chris Lynn (KKR) 45 (31)
Multiple (tight death)
KKR defended 150/7; RCB fell agonizingly short at 148/5
Nail-biter in UAE; KKR’s composure under pressure sealed playoff spot push
2
May 22, 2014
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR won by 30 runs
Robin Uthappa (KKR) 83 (51)
Umesh Yadav (KKR) strong spell
Uthappa’s aggressive 83 set 195/4; RCB managed 165/5
MoM Uthappa; boosted KKR to second IPL title later that season
3
Apr 11, 2015
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
No result (rain)
N/A
N/A
Match abandoned; points shared
Early season washout; denied Gayle early fireworks
4
May 2, 2015
Bengaluru
RCB won by 7 wickets (rain-curtailed, 10 overs)
Mandeep Singh (RCB) 45* (18)
RCB bowlers restricted
RCB chased 112 in reduced game; young Mandeep starred
Rain drama; AB de Villiers influence felt in shortened chase
5
May 2, 2016
Bengaluru
KKR won by 5 wickets
Yusuf Pathan (KKR) 60* (29)
Andre Russell (all-round)
Pathan-Russell 100+ stand turned chase of 186; Pathan smashed 24 off one over
Epic comeback; Russell MoM for finishing heroics
6
May 16, 2016
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
RCB won by 9 wickets
Virat Kohli (RCB) 75* (54)
RCB openers dominated
Kohli-AB de Villiers (59*) unbroken 150+ stand chased 184 in 18.4 overs
Kohli MoM; one of RCB’s most clinical chases at hostile Eden
2017: The 49 All Out Humiliation
2017 brought RCB’s darkest hour in the rivalry: the infamous 49 all out collapse at Eden Gardens on April 23. Chasing KKR’s modest 131, RCB imploded in 9.4 overs—Nathan Coulter-Nile (3/21) and Colin de Grandhomme (3/4) demolished the star batting line-up. Gayle fell for a duck, Kohli struggled, and the middle order crumbled under swing and seam. Fans were stunned; memes flooded social media calling it RCB’s lowest point. KKR’s second clash in Bengaluru on May 7 saw them chase 159 comfortably (Narine starred), reinforcing dominance amid RCB’s heartbreak and tactical failures.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
Highest Scorer
Best Bowler
Key Moment
Interesting Fact
1
Apr 23, 2017
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR won by 82 runs
Sunil Narine (KKR) 34 (17)
Nathan Coulter-Nile (KKR) 3/21
RCB bundled for 49 in 9.4 overs; de Grandhomme 3/4
RCB’s lowest IPL total ever (joint second-lowest); second-fastest collapse in IPL history
2
May 7, 2017
Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru
KKR won by 6 wickets (29 balls remaining)
Virat Kohli (RCB) or others in 158/6
Sunil Narine (KKR) key spell
KKR chased 159/4 easily; Narine MoM
Narine’s all-round show; RCB’s batting failed again to defend despite home advantage
The Final Conclusion
As we look toward the 2026 showdown, the statistics favor KKR, but the momentum often shifts with a single moment of brilliance. Whether it’s a tactical masterstroke or an individual hero’s cameo, this fixture remains the crown jewel of the IPL. Expect nothing less than a spectacular, edge-of-the-seat cricketing spectacle.
