Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline – Complete IPL Rivalry History & Head-to-Head Stats

Introduction – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Timeline

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cricketing spectacle loved by millions for its thrilling matches, high energy, and intense team rivalries that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Among these rivalries, the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) stands out for its unpredictability, dramatic finishes, and stellar performances from world-class players. Since the IPL’s inception in 2008, KKR and RR have been two of the most followed and passionately supported teams, each boasting a unique playing style and a loyal fan base.

Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, are known for their powerful batting line-up, explosive finishers like Andre Russell, and tactical bowling spearheaded by mystery spinners like Sunil Narine. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions in 2008, are famed for their astute team selections and nurturing young talent, with star players like Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson shining bright. The RR team’s cricketing charm lies in its blend of tactical brilliance and resilient fighting spirit.

This article explores the complete Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals timeline, tracing their IPL rivalry history from 2008 to 2025. It includes an in-depth head-to-head record, best matches, key player battles, statistical highlights, and memorable moments that have defined this enthralling contest. Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply love IPL cricket, dive into the dynamic saga of KKR vs RR that promises high-octane cricket at every meeting.

KKR vs RR Rivalry Overview

The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals rivalry began in the very first IPL season back in 2008. Both teams were surprise packages that year—the Royals went on to win the inaugural IPL trophy, whereas KKR showed flashes of brilliance with a mix of young talents and experienced campaigners. From that first encounter, the rivalry formed a competitive and emotional backdrop, featuring explosive batting duels, tight bowling contests, and nail-biting finishes.

Over the years, both teams have experienced ups and downs. KKR has won the IPL twice (2012, 2014), reflecting their steady rise as a powerhouse, while RR surprised everyone with gritty performances and smart cricket, often providing stiff competition even when they struggled overall. The rivalry has been marked by iconic moments like super overs, last-ball finishes, and exceptional individual efforts that underline the blend of power hitters, crafty bowlers, and tactical minds.

What makes this rivalry particularly exciting is the unpredictability and the contrasting playing styles. KKR’s hard-hitting and aggressive approach clashes dynamically against RR’s strategic gameplay and youthful vigour. The matches often swing either way, keeping fans and analysts guessing till the very last ball.

KKR vs RR Head-to-Head Record (2008–2025)

Year	Matches Played	KKR Wins	RR Wins	No Result	Key Venue / Highlight
2008	2	0	2	0	RR dominated with Yusuf Pathan heroics
2009	2	1	1	0	First-ever Super Over in IPL history (RR won)
2010	2	1	1	0	Split wins in Ahmedabad and Eden Gardens
2011	2	2	0	0	KKR won both matches convincingly
2012	2	1	1	0	RR bounced back with a win at Jaipur
2013	2	1	1	0	Close finishes, RR’s batting strength visible
2014	2	0	2	0	Memorable Super Over match, RR won on boundary count
2015	2	0	1	1	One match abandoned, RR narrowly won the other
2018	3	3	0	0	KKR dominated the season
2019	2	1	1	0	Split wins amid close contests
2020	2	2	0	0	KKR big wins in UAE
2021	2	1	1	0	Both teams held their own in Mumbai and Sharjah
2022	2	1	1	0	Tight wins for both teams, close contests
2023	1	0	1	0	RR won comfortably at Eden Gardens
2024	2	1	1	1	High scoring match, one abandoned at Guwahati
2025	2	2	0	0	KKR strong start, 8 wickets and 1 run wins

Head-to-Head Summary

From 2008 to 2025, KKR and RR have faced off in 39 IPL matches. KKR leads with 19 wins, Rajasthan Royals have won 16 times, and four matches had no results or were abandoned. The competition remains very close, reflecting the intensity of the rivalry and the evenly matched nature of these teams over IPL history.

Most Memorable Matches

IPL 2009, Newlands, Cape Town: The first-ever Super Over in IPL history happened between KKR and RR. RR tied KKR’s score and then edged out the Knight Riders in the super over, with Yusuf Pathan smashing 16 runs off 4 balls in the decider.
IPL 2014, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi: An epic match ending in a super over tie, RR won on boundary count. Ajinkya Rahane’s 72 and James Faulkner’s exceptional bowling made this one of the most thrilling encounters.
IPL 2024, Eden Gardens: Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 107 guided RR to their highest total against KKR (224/8) in a two-wicket victory. This innings is widely regarded as the best individual effort against KKR by an RR player.
IPL 2025, Guwahati: KKR chased down RR’s 151/9 comfortably, with Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 powering the chase. This match reinforced KKR’s dominance beginning that season.
IPL 2025, Eden Gardens: KKR edged RR by 1 run in a nail-biting contest, the closest finish in the rivalry’s recent history.

Player Battle Highlights

Player Battle	Matches	Best Performance	Rival Player	Outcome
Jos Buttler vs Sunil Narine	10	95* (58)	Sunil Narine	Buttler dominated 3 matches
Andre Russell vs Trent Boult	8	45* (20)	Trent Boult	Russell’s power-hitting prevailed
Sanju Samson vs Varun Chakravarthy	7	80 (50)	Varun Chakravarthy	Samson outplayed Chakravarthy

These star player battles add a personal dimension to the KKR vs RR matchups, often shaping the outcome of key games.

Statistical Records (KKR vs RR)

Category	Record	Player/Team	Year
Most Runs	550	Jos Buttler (RR)	2025
Most Wickets	18	Sunil Narine (KKR)	2024
Highest Team Total	224/8	Rajasthan Royals	2024
Lowest Team Total	92	KKR (bowled out by RR)	2021
Closest Finish	1 run	KKR vs RR	2025

Year-by-Year Timeline (2008–2025)

🗓️ IPL 2008
RR beat KKR twice; Yusuf Pathan starred with bat and ball. KKR struggled under Sourav Ganguly’s leadership.

🗓️ IPL 2009
Each team won one game in South Africa; the first-ever Super Over decided their initial match.

🗓️ IPL 2010
RR won in Ahmedabad; KKR bounced back at Eden Gardens with an 8-wicket win.

🗓️ IPL 2011
KKR clean swept both matches with dominant performances.

🗓️ IPL 2012
Split results; RR won at Jaipur, KKR took Eden Gardens.

🗓️ IPL 2013
RR won at Jaipur; KKR countered with a win in Kolkata.

🗓️ IPL 2014
RR won both matches including a super over thriller at Abu Dhabi.

🗓️ IPL 2015
One match abandoned; RR won tightly contested match in Mumbai.

🗓️ IPL 2018
KKR dominated with three wins; strong batting and bowling displays.

🗓️ IPL 2019
Split results in Jaipur and Kolkata; All eyes on close finishes.

🗓️ IPL 2020
KKR won both matches convincingly in UAE bubble.

🗓️ IPL 2021
RR and KKR shared one win each in Mumbai and Sharjah respectively.

🗓️ IPL 2022
Both teams won one match each; high tension contests.

🗓️ IPL 2023
RR clinched a big win at Eden Gardens.

🗓️ IPL 2024
High-scoring matches; RR and KKR shared wins, one match abandoned.

🗓️ IPL 2025
KKR started strong with two wins; thrilling chase and dominant bowling on display.

The #KKRvsRR rivalry ignites strong emotions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Fans eagerly discuss match highlights, memorable player performances, and post memes and GIFs, contributing to the vibrant IPL culture. Hashtags #IPLrivalry and #KKRvsRR trend during their encounters, reflecting intense fan engagement worldwide.

Future Outlook of KKR vs RR Rivalry (Beyond 2025)

Looking ahead, this rivalry promises to remain fierce with emerging talents like KKR’s Rinku Singh and RR’s Riyan Parag stepping up. Both teams are investing in young all-rounders and dynamic spinners, likely ensuring that future clashes will have even more thrilling moments, close matches, and star-batting performances.

Conclusion

The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals rivalry remains one of IPL’s most unpredictable and engaging contests. With a history full of super overs, narrow finishes, and iconic individual performances, every KKR vs RR match brings fans a perfect mix of explosive batting and tactical cricketing brilliance. Whether it’s the Knight Riders’ power hitters or the Royals’ resilient strategy, these clashes promise non-stop excitement for IPL enthusiasts.