The IPL rivalry between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has long been one of the most exciting and closely followed in history.
From high-scoring thrillers to nail-biting finishes, this article takes an in-depth look at key matches and performances during this thrilling clash.
You can also check the complete kolkata knight riders vs royal challengers bengaluru match scorecard to see detailed results, top performers, and match highlights.
6pm: It is raining heavily, with the pitch now under cover – sure to significantly alter batting performances.
| Date | Match No. | Venue | Result | Player of the Match | Top Scorer (KKR) | Top Scorer (RCB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2025 | – | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Abandoned due to rain | – | – | – |
| Apr 21, 2024 | 36 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | KKR won by 1 run | Andre Russell | Shreyas Iyer (50) | Will Jacks (55) |
| Mar 29, 2024 | 10 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | KKR won by 7 wickets (with 19 balls remaining) | Sunil Narine | Shreyas Iyer (39) | Virat Kohli (83) |
| – | – | – | Match abandoned due to rain | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | Match abandoned due to rain | – | – | – |
RCB vs KKR
On Saturday evening, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will come alive. Home ground of both Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), both sides hope to secure playoff berths this edition of IPL.
Virat Kohli from RCB returns against his former side KKR; also, with both teams currently enjoying renewed momentum during this tournament, this game holds added significance with Virat Kohli returning against former side.
Last time these two teams faced off, a game ended due to persistent rain without even one ball being bowled – though both earned one point; Royal County Bedminster in particular moved two points clear at the top of the table and closer towards qualifying for playoffs.
KKR are currently sitting in fourth position and require a series of wins to break into the top two spots. Their best chance will come against struggling Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals who currently share last place on the table.
RCB will likely keep their winning line-up from against Sunrisers Hyderabad, barring Josh Hazlewood who continues to manage a shoulder issue. Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar could return after recovering from injuries; their selection will be decided upon on match-day.
Chinnaswamy Stadium
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, also known as the Bangalore Cricket Association Stadium, is an impressive 50,000-seat sports arena located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India and home of Karnataka State Cricket Team as well as Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Throughout each year thousands of visitors attend matches at this popular and impressive stadium which attracts an average annual attendance of approximately 72,000 fans who fill all available seating capacity – one of India’s most sought-after and beloved destinations!
The stadium was previously known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Stadium before it was renamed in honor of Mangalam Chinnaswamy who donated land and served as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India from 1977 to 1980. Since then, it has become a favorite destination among cricket enthusiasts both domestically and abroad.
Recently, the stadium underwent renovations to upgrade media facilities and enhance fan experience. Furthermore, several sustainability initiatives have been adopted by KSCA to reduce environmental impact and energy use – solar panels provide most of the electricity for events held there; helping cut energy costs significantly as well as decreasing carbon dioxide emissions by over six lakh tonnes annually.
Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens has long enthralled cricket fans from across the globe with its captivating aura, making this iconic stadium an unmissable stop on any trip to Kolkata or India. Capacity at Eden Gardens stands at over 66,000 spectators, and it is one of the premier cricket match venues.
Due to many thrilling games taking place here as well as emotional memories created over time, Eden Gardens deserves your consideration whether you are an avid cricket fan or passing through. Definitely make time for this stop when in Kolkata.
Over the years, KKR and RCB have put on some unforgettable IPL contests over time, featuring high-scoring thrillers with incredible performances by both teams.
Both franchises enjoy strong fan bases and star power that have seen them face each other 13 times at Eden Gardens; eight wins went to KKR!
KKR entered an exciting new chapter during 2024 when they qualified for playoffs for the first time ever. Their new-look squad included both young Indian talent as well as experienced players such as Gautam Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly; these investments in Indian players paid dividends with spinner Abdulla and L Balaji producing match-winning performances alongside fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s fast bowling, fast bowling Josh Hazlewood’s fast bowling, Pathan and Manoj Tiwary all contributing their talents on match days.
Gambhir continued as KKR’s mentor and the team went on to experience one of the most dominating IPL seasons ever seen, winning more games and equalling Shane Warne’s record of fewest losses during that year. Their eventual triumph saw them crowned champions of 2024 IPL tournament and cementing themselves into history books as IPL legends.
Even while dominating their competition, KKR still experienced some struggles this season. Their middle order, which had been integral in 2024 success, failed to produce results this time around and their bowlers Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy struggled for consistency in making an impressionful impactful performances.
However, the KKR team displayed incredible resilience as they rallied strongly in the closing stages of the tournament to win their second title in three years. Dinesh Karthik led by example and enjoyed an exceptional year as captain; supported by Nitish Rana, Sunil Narine, and Prasidh Krishna who all contributed tremendously throughout.
Kolkata
RCB utilized their early momentum with the ball to exploit KKR’s weak batting at their home ground. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli proved devastating in their attacking play; sharing an effective partnership that made RCB’s chase task look effortless.
KKR were going well until losing 2-3 wickets within quick succession in the 13th over, which caused their game to shift drastically and push them back somewhat in their chase for victory. Although still well ahead, it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Krunal Pandya earned himself the award of Player of the Match thanks to his extraordinary bowling performance, drawing praise from an attentive crowd. When playing against so many batters at once, it is important that one narrows his focus down and targets only those batsmen that pose threats.
The KKR-RCB rivalry has been one of the most entertaining rivalries in IPL history. Both teams have produced memorable moments on the pitch that will live long into the future, from high-scoring thrillers to dramatic finishes; this rivalry has seen it all and the following timeline will provide an in-depth view of their head-to-head history.