Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: A Rivalry Shaped by Dominance and Drama
Across 30 meetings in the Indian Premier League between 2013 and 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders hold a commanding 19-10 advantage over Sunrisers Hyderabad, with one match producing no result. That record alone tells one story — but the details reveal something richer. This fixture has produced an IPL final, two knockout-stage clashes in a single season, a 110-run demolition, and a 4-run nail-biter that swung on the final over. It is a rivalry where the margins have been anything but predictable, even if the overall ledger tilts decisively toward Kolkata.
The first meeting between these two franchises came on April 14, 2013, at Eden Gardens — Match 17 of that season. Sunrisers Hyderabad had replaced the Deccan Chargers franchise just months earlier, and their IPL debut season began with a steep learning curve. Gautam Gambhir led Kolkata to a 48-run victory that day, setting the tone for a head-to-head that KKR would dominate through most of its history.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Metric | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Matches won | 19 | 10 |
| Win percentage | 63.3% | 33.3% |
| Biggest victory (runs) | 80 runs (2025) | 110 runs (2025) |
| Biggest victory (wickets) | 8 wickets (2024 Final) | 9 wickets (2019) |
| No results | 1 | — |
Kolkata Knight Riders' 63.3% win rate in this fixture is among the highest any franchise holds against a single opponent across the IPL's history. Of the 30 meetings, 19 have gone KKR's way — a dominance built primarily at Eden Gardens, where the Knight Riders have been near-impregnable against the Sunrisers.
Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2025 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 110 runs | H Klaasen |
| 3 Apr 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Kolkata Knight Riders | 80 runs | VG Arora |
| 26 May 2024 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 wickets | MA Starc |
| 21 May 2024 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 wickets | MA Starc |
| 23 Mar 2024 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 runs | AD Russell |
The most recent five encounters paint a picture of contrasts: four emphatic Kolkata victories bookended by Hyderabad's single largest win in the fixture's history. The 2024 IPL season alone saw three meetings — all won by KKR — culminating in the franchise's third IPL title.
Defining Moments
The Biggest Blowout: SRH's 110-Run Hammering (2025)
On May 25, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered the most lopsided result in the history of this fixture. Heinrich Klaasen anchored a massive batting display that left Kolkata Knight Riders chasing shadows. The 110-run margin was not just the biggest win in KKR-SRH history — it was one of the largest defeats KKR had ever suffered in the IPL. Klaasen's Player of the Match performance was a reminder that when SRH's middle order fires, it can be devastating regardless of the overall head-to-head record.
The Closest Finish: 4 Runs at Eden Gardens (2024)
Match 3 of IPL 2024, played on March 23 at Eden Gardens, produced the tightest result in this rivalry's history. Andre Russell's all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award as Kolkata Knight Riders defended their total by just 4 runs. Sunrisers Hyderabad had chosen to field first after winning the toss, but the Eden Gardens surface offered just enough for KKR's bowlers to squeeze the chase in the final overs. Four runs — the thinnest margin of victory in 30 meetings — and it came in the very first match of what would become KKR's championship season.
The Title Decider: IPL 2024 Final in Chennai
The most consequential meeting between these two franchises came on May 26, 2024, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — the IPL 2024 Final. Kolkata Knight Riders had already beaten Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 five days earlier at Ahmedabad by 8 wickets, with Mitchell Starc earning Player of the Match in both encounters. In the final, KKR chased down the target with 8 wickets in hand, completing a remarkable playoff double over Hyderabad. Starc's dominance across both knockout matches — Qualifier 1 and the Final — defined the 2024 season's conclusion and cemented KKR's third IPL championship.
Venue Split
| Venue | Meetings | KKR Wins | SRH Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 11 | 8 | 3 |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Other neutral venues | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Note: Eden Gardens results combined across minor naming variations in records.
Eden Gardens is the defining battleground of this rivalry. Across 11 meetings in Kolkata, KKR have won 8 — a 72.7% success rate that makes it one of the strongest home-ground advantages in any IPL head-to-head. Sunrisers Hyderabad have managed just 3 wins at Eden Gardens across all 18 IPL seasons. In Hyderabad, the record is far more balanced: 7 meetings have been split 4-3 in KKR's favour, suggesting that when SRH play at their home ground, the fixture becomes genuinely competitive. At neutral venues, the two sides are dead level.
KKR's Era of Dominance: 2013–2018
In the first six years of this rivalry (2013–2018), Kolkata Knight Riders won 11 of 15 meetings against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The early encounters were particularly one-sided: KKR won all three meetings in 2013, swept both fixtures in 2014, and maintained a winning record through 2016 and 2017. Only the 2016 season provided a meaningful Hyderabad counterpoint, when SRH — captained by David Warner — won the IPL title and took 2 of 3 meetings against KKR. But even that title-winning campaign could not fundamentally shift the head-to-head, which remained heavily stacked in Kolkata's favour. By the end of 2018, the cumulative record stood at 11-4 — a near 3:1 ratio that few IPL rivalries can match over a comparable span.
The Rivalry's Place in IPL History
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad fixture occupies a unique space in the IPL's competitive landscape. These are two franchises with contrasting identities — KKR built on flair, spin, and the energy of Eden Gardens; SRH built on bowling discipline, overseas power-hitting, and the patient accumulation of wins. Between them, they hold 4 IPL titles (KKR: 2012, 2014, 2024; SRH: 2016), and their 2024 Final remains one of the most decisive championship matches in IPL history. With 30 meetings already completed and the fixture guaranteed to be revisited across every IPL season to come, the 19-10 ledger will continue to evolve — though Sunrisers Hyderabad face a significant deficit to close if this rivalry is ever to reach parity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall KKR vs SRH head-to-head record in the IPL?
Kolkata Knight Riders lead Sunrisers Hyderabad 19-10 across 30 IPL meetings played between 2013 and 2025, with 1 no-result. KKR's win percentage of 63.3% in this fixture is one of the highest any franchise holds against a single opponent.
When did KKR and SRH first play each other in the IPL?
The first KKR vs SRH match was played on April 14, 2013, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It was Match 17 of IPL 2013 — Sunrisers Hyderabad's debut season after replacing the Deccan Chargers. KKR won by 48 runs, with Gautam Gambhir named Player of the Match.
What is the biggest victory in KKR vs SRH history?
The largest margin of victory in this fixture is 110 runs, achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Heinrich Klaasen was named Player of the Match. The biggest KKR win by runs was 80 runs on April 3, 2025, at Eden Gardens.
What was the closest KKR vs SRH match ever?
The closest finish came on March 23, 2024, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata — Match 3 of IPL 2024. Kolkata Knight Riders won by just 4 runs, with Andre Russell earning Player of the Match honors.
Have KKR and SRH ever met in an IPL final?
Yes. KKR and SRH met in the IPL 2024 Final on May 26, 2024, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets to claim their third IPL title. They had also beaten SRH in Qualifier 1 five days earlier.
Which venue has hosted the most KKR vs SRH matches?
Eden Gardens in Kolkata has hosted 11 KKR vs SRH encounters — the most of any venue. KKR have won 8 of those 11 matches, giving them a 72.7% win rate at their home ground in this fixture.
Where can I watch KKR vs SRH matches live?
All IPL matches, including KKR vs SRH fixtures, are broadcast live on JioStar across television and streaming platforms in India. Check local listings for international broadcast partners.