The Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders rivalry is one of the most entertaining matchups in Indian Premier League history. The two franchises have faced each other regularly since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, producing high-scoring thrillers, dramatic run chases and several unforgettable individual performances.Punjab vs Kolkata Head-to-Head in IPL
Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, have often relied on explosive batting and aggressive cricket. Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, have built their reputation around powerful all-rounders, world-class spin bowling and strong leadership. Although KKR have historically enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, PBKS have produced some remarkable victories, particularly in recent seasons.
As of the end of the 2026 IPL season, the teams have met 35 times. Kolkata Knight Riders have won 21 matches, Punjab Kings have won 13, while one match ended without a result. The official IPL head-to-head data also shows that PBKS have become much more competitive in recent meetings.
PBKS vs KKR Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 35 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders Wins | 21 |
| Punjab Kings Wins | 13 |
| No Result | 1 |
| First IPL Meeting | 2008 |
| Latest Completed Meeting | 2025 |
| Overall Advantage | KKR |
KKR have won 21 of the 35 meetings, giving them a clear historical advantage. However, the recent record has been considerably closer. In the last 10 completed/recorded meetings listed by IPL.com, KKR have won four and PBKS five, with one no-result.Punjab vs Kolkata Head-to-Head in IPL
Head-to-Head Record: Recent IPL Meetings
The rivalry has become particularly competitive since 2020. Here are some of the most recent encounters:
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2020 | KKR won |
| 2020 | PBKS won |
| 2021 | KKR won |
| 2021 | PBKS won |
| 2022 | KKR won |
| 2023 | PBKS won |
| 2023 | KKR won |
| 2024 | PBKS won |
| 2025 | PBKS won |
| 2025 | No Result |
The official IPL records confirm the recent sequence, including Punjab’s spectacular 262/2 chase against KKR in 2024 and their 2025 victory at Mullanpur.
The 2026 meeting in Kolkata was abandoned without a result, so it did not change the win-loss record.
Highest Team Score in PBKS vs KKR
One of the defining characteristics of this rivalry is explosive batting.
Punjab Kings – 262/2
Punjab Kings produced one of the greatest batting performances in IPL history against KKR in IPL 2024.
PBKS chased down 262 at Eden Gardens, scoring 262/2 to complete an extraordinary eight-wicket victory. This remains one of the most spectacular successful chases in IPL history.
The innings demonstrated Punjab’s ability to attack from the beginning rather than allowing a huge target to create pressure.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 261/6
KKR had themselves posted 261/6 in that same 2024 match. Despite producing an enormous total, they were unable to defend it as Punjab completed an incredible chase.
The match remains one of the greatest examples of modern T20 batting.
One of the defining characteristics of this rivalry is explosive batting.
Punjab Kings – 262/2
Punjab Kings produced one of the greatest batting performances in IPL history against KKR in IPL 2024.
PBKS chased down 262 at Eden Gardens, scoring 262/2 to complete an extraordinary eight-wicket victory. This remains one of the most spectacular successful chases in IPL history.
The innings demonstrated Punjab’s ability to attack from the beginning rather than allowing a huge target to create pressure.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 261/6
KKR had themselves posted 261/6 in that same 2024 match. Despite producing an enormous total, they were unable to defend it as Punjab completed an incredible chase.
The match remains one of the greatest examples of modern T20 batting.
Lowest Scores
The rivalry has also witnessed matches where bowling completely dominated batting.
In IPL 2025, Punjab Kings were dismissed for 111, while Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out for 95 in the return fixture at Mullanpur. PBKS won the low-scoring contest by 16 runs.
This match demonstrated that PBKS vs KKR is not always about sixes and 200-plus totals. The teams have also produced intense bowling battles.
Most Memorable PBKS vs KKR Matches
1. IPL 2014 – Manish Pandey’s Final Heroics
The 2014 IPL final remains one of the most famous matches involving these franchises.
Kings XI Punjab posted a huge total after an outstanding batting performance. KKR, however, chased down the target with Manish Pandey producing a brilliant match-winning innings.
Pandey’s performance helped Kolkata Knight Riders win their second IPL championship.
It was a perfect example of KKR’s ability to remain calm under pressure during a big chase.
2. IPL 2018 – Sunil Narine’s Explosive Batting
Sunil Narine produced another memorable performance against Punjab, demonstrating that he was not merely a specialist spinner.
His aggressive opening batting gave KKR an outstanding start and helped establish the team’s reputation for attacking cricket.
Narine’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him one of the most influential players in this rivalry.
3. IPL 2023 – Punjab’s DLS Victory
Punjab Kings produced a dramatic victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023.
PBKS scored 191/5, while KKR reached 146/7 before the match was decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Punjab won by seven runs according to the revised target.
The match showed how quickly conditions can change in T20 cricket.
4. IPL 2024 – The 262-Run Chase
The 2024 encounter is arguably the most spectacular match in the history of the PBKS-KKR rivalry.
KKR scored 261/6 at Eden Gardens, seemingly putting the game beyond Punjab’s reach. Instead, PBKS chased the target in extraordinary fashion, finishing on 262/2 and winning by eight wickets.
It was a landmark victory for Punjab Kings and one of the greatest successful run chases ever seen in T20 cricket.
5. IPL 2025 – Punjab’s Bowling Dominance
Punjab Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in a low-scoring encounter in April 2025.
PBKS were bowled out for 111, but their bowlers responded brilliantly and dismissed KKR for just 95. Yuzvendra Chahal was particularly impressive, taking four wickets.
This victory demonstrated Punjab’s improvement in the bowling department.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Punjab Kings
KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been one of Punjab’s most important batters during the franchise’s modern era. His ability to score quickly while also anchoring an innings made him a dangerous opponent for KKR.
Chris Gayle
The West Indian superstar brought enormous power to Punjab’s batting lineup. His six-hitting ability made him a constant threat against KKR’s bowlers.
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan’s experience and consistency at the top of the order have made him another important figure for Punjab.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep has developed into one of Punjab’s most reliable T20 bowlers, particularly in the death overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal produced an outstanding four-wicket spell against KKR in 2025, helping PBKS defend a modest total.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Key Players
Sunil Narine
Narine has been one of KKR’s most influential players against Punjab. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him especially valuable in this matchup.
Andre Russell
Russell’s explosive batting and powerful hitting have produced several memorable moments against PBKS.
Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir played an important role in KKR’s successful era and was central to their 2012 and 2014 IPL championship campaigns.
Nitish Rana
Rana has delivered numerous important performances against Punjab and has been one of KKR’s reliable middle-order batters.
Varun Chakravarthy
The mystery spinner has become an important part of KKR’s bowling attack and has regularly challenged opposition batters in the middle overs.
PBKS vs KKR: Batting vs Bowling
This rivalry has experienced different phases.
KKR traditionally possessed an advantage through their spin attack. Bowlers such as Sunil Narine and later Varun Chakravarthy have been particularly effective at controlling the middle overs.
Punjab, on the other hand, have often depended on explosive top-order batting. The 2024 chase showed exactly what can happen when their batting lineup clicks together.
The contrast makes this fixture fascinating:
Punjab Kings: explosive batting and aggressive chasing.
Kolkata Knight Riders: spin bowling, all-rounders and aggressive middle-order batting.
Why PBKS vs KKR Is Special
There are several reasons why this matchup attracts so much attention:
- Both teams have produced some of the IPL’s biggest totals.
- KKR have historically dominated the head-to-head record.
- PBKS have produced several major upsets.
- The 2024 match featured a record-breaking successful chase.
- Legendary players have represented both franchises.
- Recent meetings have become much more competitive.
The rivalry has also produced matches ranging from extremely high-scoring encounters to low-scoring bowling battles.
Overall Comparison
| Category | Punjab Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head Wins | 13 | 21 |
| Highest Score vs Opponent | 262/2 | 261/6 |
| IPL Titles | 0 | 3 |
| Biggest Recent Success | 2024 chase | 2024 IPL title |
| Historical Advantage | — | KKR |
KKR clearly have the stronger historical record, but Punjab’s recent performances suggest that the gap is narrowing.
Conclusion
The Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders rivalry has delivered some of the most entertaining matches in IPL history. Kolkata Knight Riders currently hold the overall advantage with 21 wins from 35 meetings, compared with Punjab Kings’ 13 victories and one no-result.
However, the recent rivalry tells a different story. Punjab have become increasingly competitive, with victories in several recent encounters. Their extraordinary 262/2 chase against KKR in 2024 stands as the defining moment of the rivalry, while their 2025 low-scoring victory showed that they can also win through disciplined bowling.
With talented players on both sides, PBKS vs KKR remains a fixture capable of producing anything from a massive run-fest to a tense low-scoring thriller.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has won more matches between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders?
Answer: Kolkata Knight Riders have the better overall record. They have won 21 of 35 matches, while Punjab Kings have won 13. One match ended without a result.
2. What is the highest score in PBKS vs KKR IPL matches?
Answer: Punjab Kings’ 262/2 in 2024 is the highest team score in this rivalry. KKR had scored 261/6 in the same match before PBKS completed the successful chase.
3. What is the most memorable PBKS vs KKR match?
Answer: The 2024 IPL match at Eden Gardens, in which Punjab Kings chased 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders, is arguably the most memorable contest between the two teams.
4. Who won the most recent completed PBKS vs KKR match?
Answer: Punjab Kings won the most recent completed meeting in 2025, defeating KKR by 16 runs after dismissing them for 95.
5. Has Punjab Kings ever dominated Kolkata Knight Riders?
Answer: KKR have the stronger historical record, but Punjab have enjoyed a strong recent run against them. IPL.com’s recent head-to-head data shows PBKS winning five of the last 10 recorded meetings, compared with four for KKR and one no-result