The Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings rivalry is one of the most exciting in the Indian Premier League. Since their first match in 2008, these teams have played many thrilling games with close finishes, big scores, and memorable moments.
Fans always look forward to their clashes because every match is full of excitement and drama. Over the years, KKR has often had the upper hand, but PBKS has surprised everyone with some amazing wins.
From legendary players like Gautam Gambhir and Chris Gayle to rising stars like Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill, the timeline of KKR vs PBKS shows the history of great performances and unforgettable matches in IPL history.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Timeline
The KKR vs PBKS timeline covers their matches from IPL 2008 to the latest seasons. The rivalry includes high-scoring thrillers, last-ball finishes, and dominant performances. KKR has generally had the upper hand, but PBKS has surprised their opponents with brilliant batting displays.
- KKR’s Strengths: Strong spin attack, strategic captaincy, and excellent finishers.
- PBKS’s Strengths: Explosive batting, young talents, and aggressive play style.
- Fan Favorite Matches: High scoring chases, IPL finals, and last-over thrillers.
Overall Head-to-Head Summary
KKR and PBKS have faced each other multiple times in IPL history. KKR has generally dominated in head-to-head matches, but PBKS has delivered some remarkable wins, including record-breaking chases.
KKR vs PBKS Head-to-Head Table
| Category | Details |
| Total Matches Played | 32+ |
| Kolkata Knight Riders Wins | 20+ |
| Punjab Kings Wins | 12+ |
| Tie/Super Over | 1 |
| Highest Score (KKR) | 245/6 |
| Highest Score (PBKS) | 214/8 |
| Lowest Score (KKR) | 109 |
| Lowest Score (PBKS) | 119 |
| Largest Victory (Runs) | KKR won by 39 runs (2012) |
| Closest Finish | KKR won by 2 runs (2015) |
Year-by-Year Timeline of KKR vs PBKS
IPL 2008 – The Beginning of the Rivalry
1 – PBKS Dominates the Debut Clash
PBKS defeated KKR in their first-ever IPL meeting. Shaun Marsh scored an explosive 60+ runs, helping Punjab secure a comfortable win.
2 – KKR Strikes Back
KKR won the second match with excellent bowling and solid batting. Sourav Ganguly led the team brilliantly, showing KKR’s potential in the new IPL.
IPL 2009 – Low-Scoring Thrillers
PBKS Clinches a Narrow Win
The match was dominated by bowlers. PBKS edged out KKR in a tight game.
KKR Shows Resilience
KKR bounced back later in the season, winning thanks to their spinners controlling the middle overs. These matches set the tone for future close contests.
IPL 2010 – KKR Takes Control
KKR became the stronger team in 2010. Chris Gayle’s explosive batting and Ishant Sharma’s early breakthroughs helped KKR dominate PBKS. Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy was key in taking control of the rivalry.
IPL 2011 – A Shift in Punjab’s Strategy
PBKS focused on youth, with players like Paul Valthaty scoring 120 runs against KKR. However, Gautam Gambhir’s KKR led the team to a victory in the return match, keeping the rivalry competitive.
IPL 2012 – KKR’s Championship Season & Dominance Over PBKS
KKR was in superb form. Sunil Narine’s mystery spin and Jacques Kallis’ batting led to a massive win over PBKS. This season solidified KKR’s dominance in the head-to-head timeline.
IPL 2013 – Evenly Balanced Year
Both teams won one match each. Manish Pandey and Azhar Mahmood delivered memorable performances, making this season balanced and exciting.
IPL 2014 – The Grand Final Year
League Stage
PBKS defeated KKR in the league stage with record-breaking batting performances.
The IPL 2014 Final – One of the Greatest Finals Ever
KKR defeated PBKS in the final. Manish Pandey scored a brilliant 90* to help KKR lift the trophy. This match increased the intensity of the rivalry.
IPL 2015 to IPL 2017 – KKR Rules the Timeline
KKR won most matches during these seasons. Sunil Narine’s spin, Andre Russell’s all-round performance, and Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy were key factors. PBKS struggled against KKR’s strong attack.
IPL 2018 – PBKS Fights Back
KL Rahul scored a fast 66, helping PBKS win one match. However, Andre Russell’s hitting ensured KKR won the other encounter. These games were highly competitive.
IPL 2019 – High-Scoring Battles
Both matches were high-scoring. Shubman Gill’s half-centuries and KKR’s batting depth proved decisive, though PBKS fought hard.
IPL 2020 – PBKS Breaks the Pattern
In the UAE, PBKS defeated KKR after a strong partnership between KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. KKR’s batting collapsed under pressure.
IPL 2021 – Last-Over Thriller
PBKS chased the target successfully in the last over. KL Rahul top-scored again, and KKR’s bowlers struggled in the death overs.
IPL 2022 – KKR’s Strong Comeback
KKR bounced back with fearless cricket. Umesh Yadav’s 4-wicket spell helped KKR secure a 6-wicket win. PBKS failed to chase the target efficiently.
IPL 2023 – Rain Drama & Last-Ball Thriller
1 – PBKS Wins via DLS Method
Rain interrupted one game, and PBKS was declared the winner through the DLS method.
2 – Rinku Singh’s Magic at Eden
Rinku Singh chased down the target in the final over, thrilling fans at Eden Gardens.
IPL 2024 – PBKS Creates History
PBKS chased 260+ against KKR, creating one of the most memorable T20 matches. Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma starred, while KKR’s Sunil Narine tried to resist with an excellent knock.
KKR vs PBKS Timeline – Season Summary Table
| Season | Winner (Match 1) | Winner (Match 2) | Key Highlights |
| 2008 | PBKS | KKR | Shaun Marsh brilliance |
| 2009 | PBKS | KKR | Low-scoring thrillers |
| 2010 | KKR | — | Ganguly era dominance |
| 2011 | PBKS | KKR | Valthaty’s 120 |
| 2012 | KKR | KKR | Narine domination |
| 2013 | PBKS | KKR | Balanced season |
| 2014 | PBKS | PBKS | PBKS best league season |
| 2015 | KKR | KKR | Gambhir masterclass |
| 2016 | KKR | KKR | One-sided contests |
| 2017 | KKR | PBKS | PBKS steals one win |
| 2018 | PBKS | KKR | Rahul vs Russell |
| 2019 | KKR | KKR | Gill shines |
| 2020 | PBKS | — | UAE edition |
| 2021 | PBKS | — | Last-over thriller |
| 2022 | KKR | — | Umesh shines |
| 2023 | PBKS | KKR | DLS and thrillers |
| 2024 | PBKS | — | Highest chase ever |
10 Memorable Moments in KKR vs PBKS Timeline
Manish Pandey’s 90 in IPL 2014 Final*
Manish Pandey played a brilliant innings of 90 not out in the IPL 2014 final. His performance helped KKR win one of the most iconic finals against PBKS.
PBKS Chasing 260+ in IPL 2024
In 2024, PBKS achieved a record-breaking chase of over 260 runs. This is one of the highest successful chases in T20 history and shocked KKR fans.
Rinku Singh’s Last-Over Heroics (2023)
Rinku Singh chased the target in the final over at Eden Gardens. His calm and accurate batting thrilled fans and secured a memorable win for KKR.
Paul Valthaty’s 120 in 2011
Paul Valthaty scored an explosive 120 against KKR in 2011. His innings became one of the most talked-about performances in IPL history.
Sunil Narine’s Mystery Spin Spell (2012)
Sunil Narine’s spin completely baffled PBKS batsmen in 2012. His exceptional bowling helped KKR dominate crucial matches.
KL Rahul’s Fast 50 (2018)
KL Rahul scored a quick 50 for PBKS in just 29 balls. His aggressive batting almost turned the game in PBKS’ favor and entertained fans.
Andre Russell’s All-Round Storm Across Seasons
Andre Russell consistently performed with both bat and ball for KKR. His power-hitting and fast bowling made him a game-changer in multiple encounters.
Super Over Thriller
One of the KKR vs PBKS matches went down to a Super Over. Both teams displayed nerves of steel, and the game became a classic thriller for fans.
Umesh Yadav’s Fiery Spell (2022)
Umesh Yadav bowled a stunning 4-wicket spell for KKR in 2022. His pace and accuracy made it difficult for PBKS to chase the target.
Eden Gardens Atmosphere
Eden Gardens has hosted many KKR vs PBKS matches. The crowd, the lights, and the excitement created an unforgettable experience, making these clashes legendary.
Statistical Comparison – KKR vs PBKS All-Time Stats
| Stat Category | KKR | PBKS |
| Highest Run Getter vs Each Other | Gautam Gambhir | KL Rahul |
| Most Wickets | Sunil Narine | Piyush Chawla |
| Highest Team Total | 245 | 214 |
| Best Bowler Figures | 5/19 (Narine) | 5/21 (Sandeep Sharma) |
| Most Wins | 20+ | 12+ |
Winners & Match Influencers Over the Years
Key Players for KKR
- Sunil Narine
- Andre Russell
- Gautam Gambhir
- Rinku Singh
- Shubman Gill
Key Players for PBKS
- KL Rahul
- Shaun Marsh
- Shashank Singh
- Chris Gayle
- Sandeep Sharma
Why KKR Dominates the Timeline
KKR’s success comes from:
- Strong spin attack
- Exceptional finishers
- Strategic captaincy
- Better performance in crunch moments
- Balanced squads across seasons
Future of the Rivalry
The rivalry is expected to remain exciting. With young talents and strong squads, fans can expect:
- More high-scoring games
- Last-ball finishes
- Emerging star players
- More records and milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team has won more matches – KKR or PBKS?
KKR has won more matches overall.
What is the highest score in KKR vs PBKS matches?
KKR’s highest is 245, while PBKS’ highest is 214.
Which match is the most iconic between KKR and PBKS?
The 2024 PBKS chase and 2014 IPL final are the most famous.
Who is the best performer in KKR vs PBKS matches?
Sunil Narine (bowling) and KL Rahul (batting) are consistent performers.
Are KKR vs PBKS matches usually high scoring?
Yes, especially in recent seasons, matches are mostly high scoring.
Conclusion
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings timeline is filled with thrilling games, historic wins, and unforgettable cricketing moments. While KKR has traditionally dominated, PBKS has also produced record-breaking chases and memorable performances.
With both teams continuing to strengthen, fans can look forward to more exciting matches, last-ball finishes, and rising cricket stars in future IPL seasons.
Muhammad Shoaib is a seasoned content creator with 10 years of experience specializing in Meaning and Caption blogs. He is the driving force behind ExactWordMeaning.com, where he shares insightful, clear, and engaging explanations of words, phrases, and captions.
