The rivalry between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings is a high-octane battle for IPL supremacy. From legendary finals to record-breaking individual performances, every encounter rewrites history. This comprehensive guide breaks down their recent matches, iconic moments, and head-to-head stats, capturing the true essence of this elite cricketing feud.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings: Recent Match Timeline
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
KKR Score
CSK Score
Result
Player of the Match
IPL 2025
Kolkata
May 7, 2025
CSK (field)
179/6 (20)
183/8 (19.4)
CSK won by 2 wickets
Noor Ahmad (CSK)
IPL 2025
Chennai
Apr 11, 2025
KKR (field)
107/2 (10.1)
103/9 (20)
KKR won by 8 wickets
Sunil Narine (KKR)
IPL 2024
Chennai
Apr 8, 2024
CSK (field)
137/9 (20)
141/3 (17.4)
CSK won by 7 wickets
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
IPL 2023
Chennai
May 14, 2023
CSK (bat)
147/4 (18.3)
144/6 (20)
KKR won by 6 wickets
Rinku Singh (KKR)
IPL 2023
Kolkata
Apr 23, 2023
KKR (field)
186/8 (20)
235/4 (20)
CSK won by 49 runs
Ajinkya Rahane (CSK)
IPL 2022
Mumbai
Mar 26, 2022
KKR (field)
133/4 (18.3)
131/5 (20)
KKR won by 6 wickets
Umesh Yadav (KKR)
IPL 2021
Dubai
Oct 15, 2021
KKR (field)
165/9 (20)
192/3 (20)
CSK won by 27 runs
Faf du Plessis (CSK)
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings: IPL 2026 Schedule
Match
Date
Venue
Time (IST)
Streaming
CSK vs KKR
April 14, 2026
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
7:30 PM
JioHotstar
KKR vs GT
April 17, 2026
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
7:30 PM
JioHotstar
KKR vs RR
April 19, 2026
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
3:30 PM
JioHotstar
LSG vs KKR
April 26, 2026
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
7:30 PM
JioHotstar
SRH vs KKR
May 3, 2026
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad
3:30 PM
JioHotstar
DC vs KKR
May 8, 2026
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
7:30 PM
JioHotstar
RCB vs KKR
May 13, 2026
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur
7:30 PM
JioHotstar
The Hall of Fame: KKR vs CSK Most Iconic & Aggressive Moments
Season
Iconic Moment
Key Players
Description of Event
Impact
2012
The Final Siege
Manvinder Bisla vs CSK Bowlers
Bisla’s aggressive 89 off 48 balls stunned Chepauk in the final.
KKR won their 1st Title
2021
The Powerplay Blitz
Faf du Plessis vs KKR Attack
A ruthless 86-run knock in the final set an unreachable target.
CSK won their 4th Title
2018
The Andre Russell Storm
Andre Russell vs CSK Death Overs
Russell smashed 11 sixes in a brutal display of power hitting at Chepauk.
Highest Strike Rate in a Match
2023
The Rahane Redemption
Ajinkya Rahane vs KKR Spinners
Rahane played an uncharacteristically aggressive 71* (29) at Eden Gardens.
CSK posted 235/4
2021
The Narine Magic
Sunil Narine vs CSK Middle Order
Narine’s clinical spell strangled the CSK chase during a high-pressure league game.
KKR defended a low total
2024
The MS Dhoni Entry
MS Dhoni vs Eden Gardens Crowd
The stadium turned yellow as Dhoni walked out to a deafening roar in Kolkata.
Most Iconic Crowd Moment
2025
The Spin Trap
Varun Chakaravarthy vs CSK Top Order
A masterclass in mystery spin that saw three CSK wickets fall in a single over.
KKR’s biggest win by wickets
Head-to-Head Summary: KKR vs CSK
Category
KKR Statistics
CSK Statistics
Total / Record
Total Matches Played
12
21
33 Matches
Total Matches Won
12
20
1 No Result
Most Runs Scored
Andre Russell (344)
MS Dhoni (552)
MS Dhoni (CSK)
Most Wickets Taken
Sunil Narine (24)
Ravindra Jadeja (20)
Sunil Narine (KKR)
Highest Team Total
202
235
235/4 (CSK)
Lowest Team Total
107
103
103/9 (CSK)
IPL Titles Won
3 (2012, 2014, 2024)
5 (2010, ’11, ’18, ’21, ’23)
CSK (5 Titles)
Major Tournament Matches: KKR vs CSK
Year
Tournament
Match Stage
Venue
Result
Impact
2012
IPL
Grand Final
Chennai
KKR won by 5 wickets
KKR’s first-ever IPL Title
2014
CLT20
Group Stage
Hyderabad
KKR won by 7 wickets
KKR ended CSK’s unbeaten home streak
2014
CLT20
Grand Final
Bengaluru
CSK won by 8 wickets
CSK’s second CLT20 Title
2021
IPL
Grand Final
Dubai
CSK won by 27 runs
CSK’s 4th IPL Title
2025
IPL
Match 25
Chennai
KKR won by 8 wickets
CSK’s lowest ever total at Chepauk
2025
IPL
Match 57
Kolkata
CSK won by 2 wickets
Narrowest margin win for CSK in 2025
2026
IPL
Upcoming
Chennai
TBD (Apr 14)
Early season momentum builder
The Birth of a Rivalry: 2008 – High Scores and Early Dominance
The IPL sparked to life on April 18, 2008, at Chinnaswamy, where Brendon McCullum’s blistering 158* propelled KKR to 222/3, crushing RCB at 82 all out—a 140-run thrashing that set rivalry tones. Fans gasped at the dominance. On May 8 at Eden Gardens, rain cut play to 16 overs; KKR posted 129/7, edging RCB by 5 runs as they managed 124/4. Early aggression shone through seamers like Ishant Sharma. These clashes highlighted KKR’s edge, fueling fan frenzy and tactical battles.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
Highest Scorer
Best Bowler
Key Moment
Interesting Fact
1
Apr 18, 2008
Bengaluru
KKR won by 140 runs
McCullum (KKR) 158*
Sharma (KKR) 3/13
McCullum’s 13 sixes
IPL’s inaugural match; lowest RCB total ever
2
May 8, 2008
Kolkata
KKR won by 5 runs
Boucher (RCB) 50*
Ganguly (KKR) 2/7
Rain-reduced thriller; Boucher’s late fight
Ganguly’s surprise wickets; KKR’s home fortress begins
2014-2016: KKR’s Second Title, RCB’s Heartbreak
The 2014-2016 period marked KKR’s resurgence with their second IPL title in 2014, while RCB endured heartbreak, reaching the 2016 final but falling short. In 2014, KKR dominated head-to-head, winning both: a thrilling 2-run victory in Sharjah (Chris Lynn’s 45 key) and a 30-run win in Kolkata (Robin Uthappa’s 83). 2015 saw mixed results RCB chased in rain-hit games with Gayle and de Villiers shining. 2016 brought fireworks: KKR chased 186 via Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell’s blitz, but RCB crushed 184 in return with Kohli (75*) and AB de Villiers (59*) unbeaten. Gambhir’s leadership clashed with RCB’s star power, building intense pressure.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
Highest Scorer
Best Bowler
Key Moment
Interesting Fact
1
Apr 24, 2014
Sharjah
KKR won by 2 runs
Chris Lynn (KKR) 45 (31)
Multiple (tight death)
KKR defended 150/7; RCB fell agonizingly short at 148/5
Nail-biter in UAE; KKR’s composure under pressure sealed playoff spot push
2
May 22, 2014
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR won by 30 runs
Robin Uthappa (KKR) 83 (51)
Umesh Yadav (KKR) strong spell
Uthappa’s aggressive 83 set 195/4; RCB managed 165/5
MoM Uthappa; boosted KKR to second IPL title later that season
3
Apr 11, 2015
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
No result (rain)
N/A
N/A
Match abandoned; points shared
Early season washout; denied Gayle early fireworks
4
May 2, 2015
Bengaluru
RCB won by 7 wickets (rain-curtailed, 10 overs)
Mandeep Singh (RCB) 45* (18)
RCB bowlers restricted
RCB chased 112 in reduced game; young Mandeep starred
Rain drama; AB de Villiers influence felt in shortened chase
5
May 2, 2016
Bengaluru
KKR won by 5 wickets
Yusuf Pathan (KKR) 60* (29)
Andre Russell (all-round)
Pathan-Russell 100+ stand turned chase of 186; Pathan smashed 24 off one over
Epic comeback; Russell MoM for finishing heroics
6
May 16, 2016
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
RCB won by 9 wickets
Virat Kohli (RCB) 75* (54)
RCB openers dominated
Kohli-AB de Villiers (59*) unbroken 150+ stand chased 184 in 18.4 overs
Kohli MoM; one of RCB’s most clinical chases at hostile Eden
Conclusion
As the 2026 season unfolds, the KKR vs CSK saga remains the gold standard for tactical brilliance and raw aggression. Whether it’s mystery spin or death-over hitting, these two giants never fail to deliver. Stay tuned as these heavyweights prepare to clash again, continuing their hunt for T20 glory.
