Table of Contents
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline is one of the most interesting rivalries in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the competition in 2013, the two franchises have played numerous league matches, knockout games and a memorable IPL final.
Kolkata Knight Riders, commonly known as KKR, have generally enjoyed the advantage in this matchup. Sunrisers Hyderabad, or SRH, have also produced outstanding performances, including a remarkable 110-run victory in 2025 and a high-scoring win in 2026.
One of the rivalry’s defining moments came in the 2024 IPL final, when KKR defeated SRH by eight wickets to win their third IPL championship. The teams’ meetings have featured close finishes, powerful batting displays and important performances from players such as Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Mitchell Starc.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Head-to-Head Record
By the end of IPL 2026, KKR and SRH had played 32 IPL matches against each other. Kolkata held the advantage in the overall record.
| Head-to-head statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 32 |
| KKR wins, including Super Over win | 21 |
| SRH wins | 11 |
| Matches tied before Super Over | 1 |
| No-result matches | 0 |
| First meeting | 14 April 2013 |
| Latest meeting | 3 May 2026 |
| Leading team | Kolkata Knight Riders |
The record counts the 2020 tied match as a KKR win because Kolkata won the Super Over. If ties are recorded separately before the Super Over result, the record is 20 KKR wins, 11 SRH wins and one tie.
KKR’s advantage reflects their strong performances across several IPL seasons. Their success has included league-stage victories, playoff wins and the 2024 final. SRH have nevertheless remained competitive, with important wins in 2016, 2018, 2023, 2025 and 2026.
Complete KKR vs SRH Match Timeline
The following table summarises the completed IPL meetings between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2013 through 2026.
| Date | Season | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 14 April 2013 | IPL 2013 | KKR won by 48 runs |
| 19 May 2013 | IPL 2013 | SRH won by 5 wickets |
| 18 May 2014 | IPL 2014 | KKR won by 7 wickets |
| 24 May 2014 | IPL 2014 | KKR won by 4 wickets |
| 22 April 2015 | IPL 2015 | SRH won by 16 runs |
| 4 May 2015 | IPL 2015 | KKR won by 35 runs |
| 16 April 2016 | IPL 2016 | KKR won by 8 wickets |
| 22 May 2016 | IPL 2016 | KKR won by 22 runs |
| 25 May 2016 | IPL 2016 | SRH won by 22 runs |
| 15 April 2017 | IPL 2017 | KKR won by 17 runs |
| 30 April 2017 | IPL 2017 | SRH won by 48 runs |
| 17 May 2017 | IPL 2017 | KKR won by 7 wickets |
| 14 April 2018 | IPL 2018 | SRH won by 5 wickets |
| 19 May 2018 | IPL 2018 | KKR won by 5 wickets |
| 25 May 2018 | IPL 2018 | SRH won by 14 runs |
| 24 March 2019 | IPL 2019 | KKR won by 6 wickets |
| 21 April 2019 | IPL 2019 | SRH won by 9 wickets |
| 26 September 2020 | IPL 2020 | KKR won by 7 wickets |
| 18 October 2020 | IPL 2020 | Match tied; KKR won the Super Over |
| 11 April 2021 | IPL 2021 | KKR won by 10 runs |
| 3 October 2021 | IPL 2021 | KKR won by 6 wickets |
| 15 April 2022 | IPL 2022 | SRH won by 7 wickets |
| 14 May 2022 | IPL 2022 | KKR won by 54 runs |
| 14 April 2023 | IPL 2023 | SRH won by 23 runs |
| 4 May 2023 | IPL 2023 | KKR won by 5 runs |
| 23 March 2024 | IPL 2024 | KKR won by 4 runs |
| 21 May 2024 | IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 | KKR won by 8 wickets |
| 26 May 2024 | IPL 2024 Final | KKR won by 8 wickets |
| 3 April 2025 | IPL 2025 | KKR won by 80 runs |
| 25 May 2025 | IPL 2025 | SRH won by 110 runs |
| 2 April 2026 | IPL 2026 | SRH won by 65 runs |
| 3 May 2026 | IPL 2026 | KKR won by 7 wickets |
The timeline shows that KKR have had several successful seasons, particularly in 2014, 2021 and 2024. SRH have also enjoyed periods of strong performance, including their successful 2018 campaign against Kolkata.
2013: The Rivalry Begins
The first meeting between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad took place on 14 April 2013, during SRH’s inaugural IPL season.
KKR won the first encounter by 48 runs, establishing an early advantage. SRH responded later in the season by winning their return match by five wickets.
The teams therefore finished their first season with one victory each. This established the pattern for a rivalry in which both franchises would enjoy successful periods rather than one side dominating every season.
The early meetings also gave the teams opportunities to test their combinations against unfamiliar opposition. Over time, the rivalry developed into a regular feature of the IPL calendar.
2014–2016: Kolkata Build Their Advantage
Kolkata Knight Riders enjoyed a strong run against SRH between 2014 and 2016.
In 2014, KKR won both league-stage encounters, taking victories by seven wickets and four wickets. Their ability to chase targets successfully was a major factor in those results.
The teams shared their two matches in 2015. SRH won their first meeting by 16 runs, but KKR responded with a 35-run victory in the return match.
In 2016, KKR won their first two meetings, including an eight-wicket victory and a 22-run win. SRH then defeated Kolkata by 22 runs in the third encounter, helping Hyderabad progress through a successful season that ended with their first IPL championship.
These seasons helped establish KKR as the stronger side in the head-to-head record, while SRH demonstrated that they could challenge Kolkata in important matches.
2017–2019: Competitive League Matches and Playoff Drama
The 2017 season produced three meetings between the franchises. KKR won twice, while SRH secured a 48-run victory in one of their league encounters.
In 2018, SRH won two of the three meetings. Their performances during that season helped Hyderabad reach the IPL final, although they ultimately lost the championship match to Chennai Super Kings.
The 2019 season was split between the teams. KKR won their first encounter by six wickets, while SRH responded with a nine-wicket victory.
The results from these years show that the rivalry was becoming more balanced. Both teams had strong players and tactical options, and home-ground advantage did not always determine the winner.
2020: The Super Over Thriller
One of the most memorable matches in the KKR vs SRH timeline took place on 18 October 2020 in Abu Dhabi.
The match ended in a tie, with both teams scoring 163 runs. A Super Over was required to determine the winner.
KKR won the Super Over, securing the victory in a dramatic finish. The result became an important entry in the head-to-head record because the match was officially tied before the additional over decided the outcome.
The contest highlighted the pressure of T20 cricket, where a single delivery can determine the result. It also remains a reminder that the rivalry has produced more than routine league-stage wins.
2021–2023: Kolkata Maintain the Lead
KKR won both of their meetings against SRH in 2021. One victory came by 10 runs, while the other was achieved by six wickets.
The teams split their two matches in 2022. SRH won the first encounter by seven wickets, but KKR responded with a 54-run victory.
The 2023 season followed a similar pattern. SRH defeated KKR by 23 runs in April, but Kolkata won the return fixture by five runs.
These narrow margins demonstrated the importance of death-over execution. Both teams were capable of scoring quickly, but bowling discipline and handling pressure often determined the final result.
2024: KKR Dominate SRH and Win the IPL Final
The 2024 season was a defining chapter in the KKR vs SRH timeline. The teams met three times, including Qualifier 1 and the IPL final, and Kolkata won all three matches.
First Meeting: KKR Win by Four Runs
The first league-stage match took place on 23 March 2024 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
KKR scored 208/7, while SRH finished on 204/7. Kolkata won by four runs in a close, high-scoring encounter.
The result showed how important the final overs were. Despite SRH’s strong chase, KKR defended their total and secured an early advantage in the season series.
Qualifier 1: KKR Win by Eight Wickets
The teams met again on 21 May 2024 in Ahmedabad for Qualifier 1.
SRH scored 159 before being dismissed. KKR chased the target comfortably, finishing on 164/2 and winning by eight wickets.
The victory sent KKR directly into the final and put them in a strong position to compete for the championship.
Final: KKR Claim Their Third IPL Title
The 2024 IPL final took place on 26 May at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
SRH struggled against Kolkata’s bowling attack and were dismissed for 113. KKR chased the target, reaching 114/2 and winning by eight wickets.
The final was a defining moment in the rivalry. KKR completed a dominant season against SRH and secured their third IPL championship, following their titles in 2012 and 2014.
2025: Both Teams Record a Major Victory
The 2025 season produced two contrasting results.
On 3 April, KKR defeated SRH by 80 runs at Eden Gardens. Kolkata scored 200/6, while Hyderabad were dismissed for 120.
The return meeting on 25 May produced a remarkable response from SRH. Hyderabad scored 278/3, then restricted KKR to 168 all out, winning by 110 runs.
The 110-run margin was one of the most emphatic victories in the rivalry. It showed that SRH could deliver a dominant performance against Kolkata despite their difficult 2024 season.
The two matches ended with one victory each, keeping the overall head-to-head contest competitive.
2026: The Teams Exchange Dominant Wins
The teams met twice during IPL 2026.
On 2 April, SRH defeated KKR by 65 runs at Eden Gardens. Hyderabad posted 226/8, while Kolkata were dismissed for 161. Nitish Kumar Reddy was named Player of the Match for his contribution with both bat and ball.
The return match took place on 3 May in Hyderabad. SRH scored 165, but KKR chased the target successfully, finishing on 169/3 in 18.2 overs and winning by seven wickets.
Varun Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match after taking three wickets. The result gave KKR another victory in the rivalry and maintained their overall lead.
Key Players in the KKR vs SRH Rivalry
Several players have shaped this matchup through powerful batting, economical bowling and important performances in pressure situations.
| Player | Team association | Main contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | KKR | Spin bowling and aggressive batting |
| Andre Russell | KKR | Power-hitting and pace bowling |
| Rinku Singh | KKR | Middle-order batting and finishing |
| Varun Chakravarthy | KKR | Mystery spin and middle-over wickets |
| Gautam Gambhir | KKR | Leadership and batting during earlier seasons |
| Pat Cummins | SRH | Fast bowling and leadership |
| Travis Head | SRH | Aggressive top-order batting |
| Heinrich Klaasen | SRH | Middle-order power-hitting |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH | Swing bowling and death-over experience |
| Rashid Khan | SRH | Spin bowling during his SRH tenure |
The players listed represent important figures from different periods of the rivalry. Not all have been members of their respective franchises in every season.
Narine and Russell have played major roles in Kolkata’s success, while SRH have benefited from powerful batters and high-quality bowlers. Their contributions demonstrate how squad composition can influence the outcome of repeated matchups.
Highest Team Scores in KKR vs SRH Matches
The rivalry has featured several high-scoring encounters, particularly as T20 batting strategies have become more aggressive.
| Record | Team score | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Highest SRH total against KKR | 278/3 | 2025 |
| High KKR total against SRH | 208/7 | 2024 |
| Another high KKR total | 205/7 | 2023 |
| SRH total in the 2026 high-scoring match | 226/8 | 2026 |
| Lowest SRH total in the 2024 final | 113 all out | 2024 |
SRH’s 278/3 in May 2025 was a major batting performance. Hyderabad followed that innings with disciplined bowling to complete a 110-run victory.
At the opposite end of the scoring range, SRH’s 113 all out in the 2024 final highlighted the impact of Kolkata’s bowling attack in a high-pressure match.
These contrasting totals show that the rivalry has featured both batting-friendly conditions and matches in which bowlers have taken control.
Conclusion
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad timeline stretches from the first meeting in 2013 to their latest match in May 2026. Across 32 IPL encounters, KKR lead with 21 wins when the 2020 Super Over victory is counted, while SRH have recorded 11 wins.
The rivalry’s defining moments include the 2020 Super Over, Kolkata’s three victories over Hyderabad in 2024, the IPL final win that secured KKR’s third title, and SRH’s 110-run victory in 2025.
Both franchises have produced memorable players and performances. As future IPL seasons unfold, their meetings are likely to add further chapters to one of the competition’s most eventful matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad first play each other?
The teams first met on 14 April 2013. KKR won the match by 48 runs.
2. Who has won more matches between KKR and SRH?
Kolkata Knight Riders lead the head-to-head record with 21 wins, including their Super Over victory in 2020. Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 11 matches through the end of IPL 2026.
3. Who won the KKR vs SRH IPL 2024 final?
KKR won the 2024 IPL final by eight wickets. SRH were dismissed for 113, and Kolkata reached 114/2 to claim their third IPL championship.
4. What was the biggest win in the KKR vs SRH rivalry?
Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated KKR by 110 runs on 25 May 2025. SRH scored 278/3 before bowling Kolkata out for 168.
5. What was the latest KKR vs SRH match result?
Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets on 3 May 2026. SRH scored 165, and KKR chased the target with seven wickets remaining.
