The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have developed one of the most competitive rivalries in Indian Premier League history. Since their first meeting in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, both teams have produced memorable matches, thrilling finishes and outstanding individual performances.Kolkata vs Rajasthan Head-to-Head in IPL
As of the end of the 2026 IPL season, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other 33 times in the IPL. KKR have won 17 matches, while RR have won 14, with two matches ending without a result.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Head-to-Head Record
| Record | Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Matches Won | 17 | 14 |
| Matches Lost | 14 | 17 |
| No Result | 2 | 2 |
| Highest Team Score | 223 | 224 |
| Lowest Team Score | 125 | 81 |
KKR have a slight overall advantage in this rivalry, winning 17 of the 33 matches. However, RR have also enjoyed several dominant performances, making this fixture difficult to predict.Kolkata vs Rajasthan Head-to-Head in IPL
First Meeting in IPL
The first Kolkata vs Rajasthan match took place on May 1, 2008, during the inaugural IPL season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals won the match by 45 runs.
Swapnil Asnodkar played a key role for Rajasthan, scoring 60 from 34 deliveries. Shane Watson, Sohail Tanvir and Siddharth Trivedi also made important contributions with the ball.
This victory gave RR the perfect start to their rivalry with KKR.
KKR vs RR: Recent IPL Results
The rivalry has become particularly competitive in recent seasons.
In IPL 2023, Rajasthan Royals produced an outstanding nine-wicket victory at Eden Gardens. Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the KKR bowling attack, while Sanju Samson also contributed to a comfortable chase. RR reached the target with plenty of overs remaining.
The 2024 meeting at Eden Gardens was another classic. Rajasthan Royals successfully chased KKR’s huge total of 223/6, reaching 224/8 and winning by two wickets. Jos Buttler produced a brilliant unbeaten 107, helping RR complete one of the most memorable run chases in the fixture.
In 2025, KKR gained the upper hand by winning both meetings. They first defeated Rajasthan by eight wickets at Guwahati before producing a thrilling one-run victory at Eden Gardens.
The latest meeting came on April 19, 2026, at Eden Gardens. Rajasthan Royals scored 155/9, but Kolkata Knight Riders chased the target by reaching 161/6 in 19.4 overs. KKR therefore won by four wickets, with Varun Chakaravarthy named Player of the Match after taking 3/14.
KKR vs RR Head-to-Head in the Last 10 Matches
The recent record also favors Kolkata Knight Riders. Across the last 10 meetings, KKR have won six matches, while Rajasthan Royals have won four.
| Year | Winner | Result |
| 2026 | KKR | Won by 4 wickets |
| 2025 | KKR | Won by 1 run |
| 2025 | KKR | Won by 8 wickets |
| 2024 | RR | Won by 2 wickets |
| 2023 | RR | Won by 9 wickets |
| 2022 | KKR | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2022 | RR | Won by 7 runs |
| 2021 | KKR | Won by 86 runs |
| 2021 | RR | Won by 6 wickets |
| 2020 | KKR | Won by 60 runs |
This sequence highlights how quickly the momentum can shift between the two sides.
Highest Team Scores
Rajasthan Royals hold the highest team score in this IPL rivalry. They scored 224/8 in IPL 2024, successfully chasing KKR’s 223/6.
KKR’s highest score against Rajasthan is 223/6, also recorded in that memorable 2024 encounter.
The 2024 game demonstrated the batting strength of both teams and remains one of the highest-scoring matches in their head-to-head history.
Lowest Team Scores
KKR’s lowest total against Rajasthan is 125, while RR’s lowest total against KKR is 81.
The 81-run total came during the 2021 season when KKR produced a dominant bowling performance. KKR won that match by 86 runs, one of the largest victories in the history of this rivalry.
Biggest Wins
One of KKR’s most impressive victories came in IPL 2021, when they defeated Rajasthan Royals by 86 runs. KKR scored 171/4 before restricting RR to just 85.
Rajasthan’s biggest early victory came in the inaugural season when they beat KKR by 45 runs in Jaipur. RR have also recorded convincing wins by nine wickets, including their 2023 victory at Eden Gardens.
Best Individual Performances
Several players have produced memorable performances in KKR vs RR matches.
For Rajasthan Royals, Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 107 in IPL 2024 remains one of the greatest individual batting performances in this fixture. His innings helped RR chase 224, matching the highest successful run chase in IPL history at that time.
KKR’s Sunil Narine has also made a major impact against Rajasthan. He scored 109 in IPL 2024, which remains KKR’s highest individual score against RR.
With the ball, Rajasthan’s Yuzvendra Chahal recorded outstanding figures of 5/40 in IPL 2022, the best bowling performance by an RR bowler against KKR. For KKR, Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/20 in 2018 is among the best bowling figures in this fixture.
KKR vs RR at Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens has hosted many memorable KKR-RR encounters. The venue has witnessed massive totals, dramatic finishes and outstanding individual performances.
The 2024 match remains especially famous because Rajasthan chased 224 after KKR had posted 223/6. The 2025 meeting was another thriller, with KKR winning by just one run.
In 2026, KKR again defeated RR at Eden Gardens, successfully chasing 156 with two balls remaining.
KKR vs RR Rivalry: What Makes It Special?
The rivalry is interesting because the two franchises have traditionally followed different approaches. KKR have often relied on explosive batting, mystery spin and aggressive all-rounders, while Rajasthan have regularly focused on young Indian talent combined with experienced overseas players.
The rivalry has also produced matches decided by very small margins. Super Overs, close run chases and last-over finishes have made KKR vs RR an entertaining fixture for IPL fans.
Although KKR currently lead the overall head-to-head record, RR remain capable of beating them in any conditions. Their 2024 victory, for example, showed their ability to chase an enormous target under pressure.
Conclusion
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals head-to-head record in the IPL shows a fascinating and closely contested rivalry. After 33 matches, KKR lead with 17 wins, compared with 14 victories for RR, while two matches have ended without a result.
From the opening clash in 2008 to the thrilling 2024 run chase and KKR’s latest four-wicket victory in 2026, this fixture has consistently delivered exciting cricket.
With both franchises continuing to develop talented players, the KKR vs RR rivalry is likely to produce many more memorable IPL matches in the future.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times have KKR and RR played each other in the IPL?
Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have played 33 IPL matches against each other as of 2026.
2. Who has won more matches between KKR and RR?
KKR have the better overall record, with 17 wins, while Rajasthan Royals have won 14 matches. Two games ended without a result.
3. What is the highest score in KKR vs RR matches?
Rajasthan Royals’ highest score against KKR is 224/8, scored in IPL 2024. KKR’s highest is 223/6, from the same match.
4. Who scored the highest individual score in KKR vs RR matches?
Jos Buttler holds Rajasthan’s best individual score with an unbeaten 107 in IPL 2024. KKR’s highest individual score is 109 by Sunil Narine.
5. Who won the latest KKR vs RR IPL match?
Kolkata Knight Riders won the latest meeting on April 19, 2026, defeating Rajasthan Royals by four wickets at Eden Gardens.