Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings have shared a competitive rivalry in the history of the Indian Premier League. Both teams have produced several exciting encounters since the early seasons of the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders are among the most successful IPL franchises, having won the championship three times in 2012, 2014 and 2024. The team has traditionally been strong at their home ground, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the passionate crowd and batting-friendly conditions often help the side produce memorable performances.
Punjab Kings, previously known as Kings XI Punjab, have also been a part of many thrilling contests in IPL history. The franchise reached the IPL final in 2014 and has regularly built strong squads with powerful hitters and experienced bowlers. Matches between KKR and PBKS are often high-scoring and unpredictable, which has made this rivalry one of the interesting matchups in the league.
Looking at the overall head-to-head numbers, Kolkata Knight Riders hold a clear advantage over Punjab Kings. Across IPL history, the two sides have faced each other multiple times with KKR winning the majority of games. However, PBKS have also pulled off some memorable victories, including one of the highest successful run chases in the league.
Below is a detailed look at the overall head-to-head record, venue statistics, top performers, and key rivalry stats between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings in the IPL.
KKR vs PBKS Head to Head in IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders have dominated the overall record in matches against Punjab Kings. The two teams have played 35 matches in IPL history, with KKR winning 21 games while PBKS have won 13 matches. One match ended without a result.
| Teams | Matches | KKR Won | PBKS Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | 35 | 21 | 13 | 1 |
These numbers show that Kolkata have generally performed better in this rivalry, especially in home matches and knockout encounters.
KKR vs PBKS Head to Head by Venue
Matches between KKR and PBKS have taken place at several venues across India and overseas IPL locations. Eden Gardens in Kolkata has hosted the highest number of games between the two teams.
| Ground | KKR Wins | PBKS Wins | NR | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barabati Stadium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Eden Gardens | 9 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| M Chinnaswamy Stadium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kingsmead | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| St George’s Park | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wankhede Stadium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| PCA IS Bindra Stadium | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Holkar Cricket Stadium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sheikh Zayed Stadium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Dubai International Stadium | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MCA Stadium Pune | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The rivalry has been evenly balanced in Mohali, where both teams have won four matches each. However, KKR have been dominant at Eden Gardens.
KKR vs PBKS Head to Head at Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens has been one of the most important venues in this rivalry. Kolkata Knight Riders have hosted Punjab Kings multiple times at this stadium and have enjoyed a strong record there.
| Matches | KKR Won | PBKS Won | NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
Over the years, Eden Gardens has seen many dramatic finishes between the two sides. The conditions at this ground usually favour aggressive batting, but KKR bowlers have often used the large boundaries to their advantage.
Recent KKR vs PBKS Matches
The rivalry has produced many memorable matches in recent seasons. Some games have featured record-breaking totals and dramatic finishes.
| Date | Winner | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 2025 | No Result | Match abandoned | Kolkata |
| 26 Apr 2024 | PBKS | Won by 8 wickets | Kolkata |
| 08 May 2023 | KKR | Won by 5 wickets | Kolkata |
| 27 Mar 2019 | KKR | Won by 28 runs | Kolkata |
| 21 Apr 2018 | PBKS | Won by 9 wickets | Kolkata |
These results show that while KKR lead the rivalry overall, Punjab Kings have also managed important wins in recent seasons.
KKR vs PBKS Most Runs in IPL
Several top IPL batters have delivered strong performances in matches between KKR and PBKS. Former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir leads the run-scoring list in this rivalry.
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Gautam Gambhir | KKR | 492 |
| Andre Russell | KKR | 449 |
| Robin Uthappa | KKR | 438 |
| Wriddhiman Saha | PBKS / KKR | 394 |
Wriddhiman Saha also holds the record for the highest individual score in this rivalry after scoring an unbeaten 115 for Punjab Kings.
KKR vs PBKS Most Wickets in IPL
Bowling has also played a major role in this rivalry, with several spinners and fast bowlers delivering match-winning spells.
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | KKR | 36 |
| Piyush Chawla | PBKS / KKR | 24 |
| Umesh Yadav | KKR | 19 |
| Andre Russell | KKR | 15 |
Sunil Narine’s dominance against Punjab Kings has been remarkable. His best bowling performance in this rivalry is 5/19, which remains one of the best spells in KKR vs PBKS matches.
Key Rivalry Stats
• Total Matches: 35
• KKR Wins: 21
• PBKS Wins: 13
• No Result: 1
• Highest Individual Score: 115* by Wriddhiman Saha
• Most Sixes: Andre Russell – 34 sixes
• Highest Team Total: 262/2 by Punjab Kings
• Lowest Team Total: 95 by Kolkata Knight Riders
• Most Wickets: Sunil Narine – 36 wickets
These statistics highlight how competitive this rivalry has been over the years.
FAQs
How many times have KKR defeated PBKS in IPL history?
Kolkata Knight Riders have defeated Punjab Kings 21 times in their IPL meetings.
Which player has scored the most runs in KKR vs PBKS matches?
Former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir holds the record with 492 runs in this rivalry.
Who has taken the most wickets in KKR vs PBKS matches?
Sunil Narine leads the bowling charts with 36 wickets against Punjab Kings.
What is the highest individual score in this rivalry?
Wriddhiman Saha scored an unbeaten 115, which is the highest individual score in KKR vs PBKS matches.
What is the highest team total in KKR vs PBKS games?
Punjab Kings recorded the highest team total with 262/2.
