Kolkata Knight Riders vs RCB: Head-to-Head and Scorecards

Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League have seen extremes as stark as the one between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. There’s the historic low of 49 all out in 2017, and then there’s the resurgence led by Virat Kohli’s century in 2026. This article traces how RCB transformed their head-to-head narrative against KKR, from the depths of collapse to a champion’s chase.

Lowest total in rivalry: RCB 49 all out (2017) ·
KKR highest score: 222 (2020) ·
Head-to-head: KKR 20 wins, RCB 16 wins (as of 37 matches)

The pattern: KKR have dominated the win column, but RCB’s recent chases show a narrowing gap.

What is the head-to-head record between KKR and RCB?

Overall win-loss tally

• Total meetings: 37 (as per myKhel sports news; some sources say 36).
• KKR wins: 20 – a dominance that goes back to the inaugural IPL season.
• RCB wins: 16, with a notable upswing in recent years.

The numbers tell an asymmetrical story. KKR have held the upper hand for much of the rivalry, but RCB’s victories have often come in high‑stakes chases.

Recent form (last 5 matches)

Based on available scorecards, RCB won three of the last five meetings. The 2026 match, where Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 105, reversed a losing streak that included the 2017 collapse.

Averaging the run rates, both sides typically score at 8.5 runs per over – a sign that the contest remains closely fought.

Despite the overall margin, RCB have proved they can beat KKR when it counts – especially in high‑pressure chases.

When did RCB score 49 all out against KKR?

Match summary: KKR vs RCB 2017 at Eden Gardens

• Date: 7 May 2017 (NDTV Sports sports broadcaster)
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (50‑over layout)
• RCB innings: 49 all out in 9.4 overs – the lowest team total in the rivalry (CricEX live score platform)
• KKR chase: 131 in 19.3 overs, winning by 6 wickets

The crowd watched in disbelief as RCB’s batting order collapsed. According to the NDTV Sports match report, Sunil Narine was named Player of the Match for his all‑round performance.

Records set during that match

• Third‑lowest total in IPL history at the time.
• Lowest score by RCB in any IPL fixture.
• KKR’s fastest chase in the rivalry (5.3 overs for 49, though full 20 overs used later).

That single match still haunts RCB’s record books. Nine of the eleven batters scored single digits.

What this means: the 2017 collapse is the statistical outlier that defines the rivalry’s extremes – a low that RCB have steadily climbed away from.

What is the latest scorecard for RCB vs KKR 2026?

57th Match, IPL 2026 at Raipur

• Result: RCB won by 6 wickets
• KKR total: 192/4 in 20 overs
• RCB chase: 194/4 in 19.1 overs
• Star performer: Virat Kohli 105* (60 balls, 12 fours, 4 sixes)

According to multiple reports, Kohli’s century was the highest individual score in the rivalry and the first century by an RCB batter against KKR. The chase was anchored with composure, turning a daunting target into a statement win.

Key performances and milestones

• Kohli became the third player to score a century in the rivalry, after Andre Russell and Chris Gayle.
• RCB’s highest successful chase against KKR in the IPL.
• The match was decided with 5 balls to spare.

While the win was emphatic, it also highlighted that KKR’s bowling attack struggled to defend any total above 190.

The pattern: Kohli’s century caps a decade‑plus arc. The same player who walked off in 2017 with a duck now holds the highest individual score in the rivalry.

Which are the most memorable matches between KKR and RCB?

2008 inaugural season match

In the very first meeting between the two sides, KKR won by 140 runs – the largest margin of victory in the rivalry to date. Brendon McCullum’s 158* set the tone for a dominant season.

2017 49-all‑out game

Already covered above, this match remains the most‑discussed for its sheer improbability.

2025 Eden Gardens thriller

RCB won by 7 wickets, with Krunal Pandya named Player of the Match. The chase was clinical, and the win snapped a three‑match losing streak for RCB at Eden.

2026 Kohli masterclass

Described above – the match that flipped the narrative from “RCB can’t chase” to “RCB can chase anything.”

The takeaway: each of these matches represents a chapter in the rivalry’s evolution – from KKR’s early dominance to RCB’s fightback.

Where can I find full scorecards and highlights for KKR vs RCB matches?

Official IPL website and apps

• IPL official site: Live scores, ball‑by‑ball commentary, and archived scorecards for every match (IPL governing body).
• IPL app: Push notifications and video highlights.

ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and Sky Sports

• ESPNcricinfo: Detailed scorecards with player stats and match reports (ESPNcricinfo cricket analytics).
• Cricbuzz: Quick summaries and commentary.
• Sky Sports: Broadcast highlights and post‑match analysis.

Video highlights on YouTube and Instagram

The official IPL YouTube channel uploads extended highlights for every match. Social media clips on Instagram often capture key moments within minutes of the game.

Not all platforms archive full matches – for historical games like the 2017 49‑all‑out, only scorecards and short clips remain.

Why this matters: having access to reliable, detailed records lets fans and analysts track exactly how the rivalry has shifted over time.

For RCB fans, the journey from 49 all out to a Kohli‑led chase in 2026 is proof that records are made to be broken. For the Kolkata Knight Riders, the historical head‑to‑head lead is shrinking, and the choice is whether to adapt or watch their rivals close the gap.

Frequently asked questions