The Indian Premier League (IPL) has served up some thrilling matches with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) featuring as one of the league’s unmissable rivalries. With star players, last-ball finishes, memorable performances and loyal supporters, this contest turned into one of the most interesting narratives of the league’s history.
Since their first battle in the first match of the IPL, where Brendon McCullum turned the cricketing world upside down with an incredible 158*, KKR and RCB have left spectators with a plentiful supply of memorable matches. Their matches against each other encapsulate many instances of domination, collapses and match-winning comeback, while KKR have a slight advantage in their head-to-head record in IPL matches.
We will now look at their rivalry, their head-to-head record, what venues it has taken place, their biggest performances, and a complete timeline of meetings from 2008 to 2025.
KKR vs RCB Head to Head Record
As of 2025, KKR and RCB have met 35 times in IPL history. KKR has won 20 games, and RCB has 15 victories. Due to slight peaks and dips in form from both teams, KKR have the advantage in terms of their overall head-to-head record because of their consistency in order to finish on top.
| Total Matches | RCB Won | KKR Won | RCB Lost | KKR Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 35 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The data speaks to fierce rivalry, with a slight favor towards the Knight Riders. Of course, RCB had the superstars in Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle to name a few over the years, yet they have not been able to outperform KKR in this rivalry.
KKR vs RCB Head to Head on Home Ground
RCB Home Ground Record Vs KKR
Based in the historic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, RCB is known for their batting fireworks. However, KKR have surprisingly gotten the better of RCB on their home turf. Out of 12 times playing there KKR has won 8 of those games, including a plethora of emphatic performances.
| Total Matches | RCB Won | KKR Won | RCB Lost | KKR Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 12 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Out of the short boundaries and a batting-friendly pitch, RCB have always struggled against the balanced bowling attack and planned gameplay of KKR.
KKR Home Record Against RCB
It has been one of the toughest places to play for the IPL opponents, and KKR has taken full advantage of the home factor. Kolkata has managed to defeat RCB at this venue 8 out of 13 times.
| Total Matches | KKR Won | RCB Won | KKR Lost | RCB Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 13 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
KKR’s spin-dominant attack has been successful here, especially guys like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, who have been constant headaches for RCB’s rampaging batting lineups.
KKR vs RCB Head to Head at Away Ground
RCB’s Record Away Ground Against KKR
RCB’s away record at the Eden Gardens ground is mediocre, just like their overall performance against KKR. Hence RCB has only managed 5 out of 13 wins against KKR, as Eden Gardens seems to be one of RCB’s hurdles.
| Total Matches | RCB Won | KKR Won | RCB Lost | KKR Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 13 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
KKR History at Away Ground Against RCB
KKR has a good record at RCB’s home ground, with 8 victories from 12 matches. Very few teams have managed to win so many matches at the venue and KKR has been successful there due to a strong combination of good batting and disciplined bowling.
| Total Matches | KKR Won | RCB Won | KKR Lost | RCB Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 12 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
KKR vs RCB Head to Head Record at Neutral Venue
Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore has been equally matched when it comes to those player battles on Neutral Venues, with RCB having the upper hand winning 6 out of the ten matchups. Most of these games have been outright eliminators or during the seasons, that has been distorted due to COVID-19.
| Total Matches | RCB Won | KKR Won | RCB Lost | KKR Lost | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| 10 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Highest Score in KKR vs RCB Rivalry
The highest-scoring contest in this match-up occurred on April 21, 2024, at Eden Gardens, where KKR scored a daunting 222/6, while RCB fell just one run short at 221, resulting in an unforgettable evening of fireworks and drama.
The Lowest Score in KKR vs RCB Rivalry
In stark contrast from the above, there is RCB’s falling apart and infamous low of 49-entirely out in 2017—the recorded low in IPL history.
Individual Records in KKR vs RCB Rivalry
Most Runs & Highest Score
| Stats | RCB | KKR |
| Most Runs | Virat Kohli (1021 runs) | Gautam Gambhir (530 runs) |
| Highest Score | Chris Gayle (102*) | Brendon McCullum (158*) |
Kohli’s strength at the top and his continued excellence against KKR is unrivalled, while McCullum’s 158* in the first match of the IPL has paved the way for the league’s explosive cricket.
Most Wickets & Best Bowling
| Stats | KKR | RCB |
| Most Wickets | Sunil Narine (27 wickets) | Yuzvendra Chahal (19 wickets) |
| Best Bowling | Varun Chakravarthy (4/15) | Wanindu Hasaranga (4/20) |
Spin has clearly been an important part of this rivalry because Narine and Chahal crafted spells of economical wizardry just when their teams needed it.
Also Read: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vs Delhi Capitals Timeline | India vs Belgium Hockey Head-to-Head Records
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline reveals a compelling chapter in one of the IPL’s most exhilarating rivalries. The KKR and RCB rivalry has seen many turning points, but it really started to take shape when Brendon McCullum scored his unforgettable 158* on April 18, 2008, to kick off the IPL season. Since then, KKR and RCB have faced off 36 times and have had a number of matches that have become parts of the IPL’s folklore for a variety of reasons; fascinating finishes, enormous margins of victory, or shocking collapses.
KKR has had the better of the rivalry, but especially at RCB’s home ground in Bengaluru, while RCB have fared better in matches played at neutral venues. Most notable have been the rather embarrassing 49 all out that RCB were skittled for in 2017, KKR’s massive 222/6 in 2024, and one incredible one-run victory in the same year. In terms of results, KKR have slightly edged the rivalry with 20 wins to RCB’s 15. Both teams have adapted to new conditions with new tactics with emerging young stars joining teams, which leaves plenty of room for excitement and imagination for spectators and fans around the world.
With every season comes a new act in this rivalry filled with explosive performances, ruthless competition, and the possible unpredictable nature of T20 cricket matches. The timeline of KKR vs RCB does not only comprise numbers but also brings together a collection of IPL’s classic encounters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders Standings
From the standings, it’s evident that both teams have struggled with consistency, while having brilliant and heartbreaking moments.
| IPL Season | RCB Position | KKR Position |
| 2008 | 7th | 6th |
| 2009 | 3rd | 8th |
| 2010 | 4th | 6th |
| 2011 | 1st | 4th |
| 2012 | 5th | 2nd |
| 2013 | 5th | 7th |
| 2014 | 7th | 2nd |
| 2015 | 3rd | 5th |
| 2016 | 2nd | 4th |
| 2017 | 8th | 4th |
| 2018 | 6th | 3rd |
| 2019 | 8th | 5th |
| 2020 | 4th | 5th |
| 2021 | 3rd | 4th |
| 2022 | 4th | 7th |
| 2023 | 6th | 7th |
| 2024 | 4th | 1st |
| 2025 | 2nd | 8th |
Also Read:
