Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders Timeline: A Complete IPL Rivalry Recap

In the glitzy universe of the Indian Premier League (IPL), rivalries often define the pulse of the tournament. One such thrilling contest is the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). These two franchises, backed by star power and passionate fanbases, have consistently delivered electrifying encounters over the years.

This blog dives deep into the timeline of RCB vs KKR, highlighting key moments, iconic performances, and unforgettable matches that have shaped this fierce IPL rivalry.

🏏 Origins of the Rivalry: 2008–2010

The IPL began in 2008, and so did this riveting rivalry.

  • First Match (April 18, 2008): The opening match of the inaugural IPL season saw KKR’s Brendon McCullum rewrite history with a blistering 158 off 73 balls*. RCB was left stunned as they folded for 82, losing by a massive margin of 140 runs.

  • 2008–2010 Summary: In these early years, both teams struggled with consistency. While RCB had the likes of Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, KKR boasted big names like Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle (who would later switch sides).

🏆 Head-to-head tally: KKR led with 3 wins out of 4 matches in this period.

⚡ Power Shifts: 2011–2014

This phase saw both teams undergoing massive transitions and improving their squads.

  • Chris Gayle Era Begins (2011): One of the most dramatic twists in IPL history was Chris Gayle’s move to RCB. In 2011, Gayle hammered 102 off 55 balls* against KKR at Eden Gardens, marking the beginning of his legendary IPL career.

  • KKR’s Rise: Under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy, KKR became a tactical and consistent unit. They beat RCB twice in 2012 and went on to win their first IPL title that year.

  • RCB's Ups and Downs: Despite having a power-packed trio in Gayle, Kohli, and AB de Villiers, RCB often faltered in crunch games, including several against KKR.

🔥 Notable Match (2013): Sunil Narine spun a web around RCB, picking up 4 wickets for just 13 runs.

🏆 Overall record (2011–2014): KKR continued their dominance, leading the head-to-head.

💥 Iconic Clashes and Records: 2015–2019

These years offered some of the most entertaining RCB vs KKR contests in IPL history.

2015: Kohli vs Russell Showdown

  • Andre Russell exploded with a 45* (17) to power KKR to a victory after RCB had set a challenging 183.

2017: KKR Bowls Out RCB for 49

  • April 23, 2017, remains one of the most shocking days for RCB fans. Chasing a modest target of 132, RCB was bowled out for just 49 runs — the lowest team total in IPL history. KKR’s Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes ran riot.

2019: Andre Russell Blitzkrieg

  • In a high-scoring game at Chinnaswamy, Russell smashed 48 off 13 balls, turning the match on its head and sealing a stunning win for KKR.

📈 Despite RCB having top-tier batters, they found themselves on the losing side more often, especially when chasing against KKR’s disciplined bowling attack.

🏆 Overall record (2015–2019): KKR maintained their edge, winning most of the close encounters.

🔄 Turning the Tide: 2020–2022

The dynamics began to shift in this era, with RCB showing greater balance under Kohli and later Faf du Plessis.

2020: RCB Break the Curse

  • RCB defeated KKR twice in the 2020 season. AB de Villiers played a masterclass at Sharjah, scoring 73 off 33 balls*, helping RCB post 194 and win convincingly.

2021: Maxwell Joins the Party

  • Glenn Maxwell’s addition added the much-needed middle-order firepower. He scored impactful runs in both fixtures against KKR that season.

2021 Eliminator (KKR’s Revenge)

  • In the eliminator, KKR ended RCB’s campaign by winning by 4 wickets in a low-scoring thriller. Sunil Narine was the star with both bat and ball.

🏆 Overall record (2020–2022): A more even contest with RCB showing signs of dominance but KKR striking back in key playoff games.

💣 Latest Battles & Timeline Highlights: 2023–2025

2023: Rinku Singh’s Rise

  • Rinku Singh’s consistency against RCB, especially his death-overs finishing, became a major talking point.

2024: RCB’s Redemption

  • With Virat Kohli returning to form and Faf’s leadership strengthening the squad, RCB claimed a dominant win at Eden Gardens.

2025 Season: Viral Clashes & Heated Moments

  • The 2025 RCB vs KKR encounters became hot trending topics on social media:

    • In the first match, RCB won by 7 wickets, thanks to a Kohli century and Siraj’s 3-wicket haul.

    • The reverse fixture saw KKR bounce back with a 5-run thriller where Narine and Russell dismantled RCB’s lower order.

    • A heated moment between Kohli and Russell went viral, adding more fire to the rivalry.

    • Both teams were tied on the points table, making every game crucial in playoff qualification.

📊 Head-to-Head Record as of 2025:

  • Total Matches: 34

  • KKR Wins: 19

  • RCB Wins: 15

🔥 Key Players Who’ve Defined the Rivalry

⭐ Royal Challengers Bengaluru

  • Virat Kohli: The face of RCB, has multiple fifties vs KKR and thrives under pressure.

  • Chris Gayle: Unforgettable centuries and powerful starts.

  • AB de Villiers: Calm finisher who has saved RCB multiple times.

  • Mohammed Siraj: Leading the new bowling charge since 2022.

⭐ Kolkata Knight Riders

  • Gautam Gambhir: Tactical captain who knew how to choke RCB’s big hitters.

  • Andre Russell: The ultimate finisher and match-winner.

  • Sunil Narine: The kryptonite to RCB's middle order.

  • Rinku Singh: Modern-day KKR hero with game-winning cameos.

🧠 Tactical Breakdown: Why This Rivalry Thrives

  • Batting vs Bowling: RCB’s explosive batters vs KKR’s cunning bowlers (especially spinners).

  • Home Advantage: Both Chinnaswamy and Eden Gardens offer contrasting conditions, creating unique tactical battles.

  • High Stakes Games: Many of their clashes are do-or-die, especially towards the end of the league stages or playoffs.

  • Fan Rivalry: The online banter between RCB and KKR fans adds a layer of drama that makes every match more intense.

📺 Memorable Moments in RCB vs KKR Timeline

  1. McCullum’s 158 (2008)*

  2. RCB bowled out for 49 (2017)

  3. Russell’s 13-ball 48 (2019)

  4. Narine’s all-round Eliminator performance (2021)

  5. Kohli-Russell face-off (2025)

🎯 Conclusion: A Rivalry That Keeps Giving

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders timeline is filled with adrenaline-pumping moments, record-breaking performances, and unexpected twists. It’s not just a cricket match—it’s a saga that IPL fans eagerly anticipate every season.

As both teams look toward future titles, their head-to-head battles continue to be marquee events in the IPL calendar. Whether you're a die-hard KKR supporter or a loyal RCB follower, one thing’s for sure—this rivalry is here to stay.

💬 Who do you think has the upper hand in 2026? Drop your predictions in the comments below! And don’t forget to bookmark this timeline for every RCB vs KKR face-off.

#CricketTimeline #IPLHistory #CricketRivalry #MatchRecap #RCBvsKKRTimeline #CricketBlog #SportsBlog

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