Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have developed an intriguing IPL rivalry, particularly since Hyderabad emerged as a consistent playoff contender. Their meetings have featured dramatic chases, dominant bowling displays, high-scoring games and, most recently, one of the most one-sided IPL finals in history.
Read Also: Netherlands vs Nepal Cricket Timeline
Unlike some of the IPL’s older rivalries, KKR vs SRH does not stretch back to the league’s first season. SRH entered the IPL in 2013, replacing the Deccan Chargers, and their first meeting with KKR came that season. Since then, the teams have met regularly in league matches and the playoffs, including two IPL finals.
KKR vs SRH Head-to-Head Record
The overall IPL record has remained competitive, although KKR have generally held the advantage.
Through the 2025 IPL season, KKR and SRH had played 29 matches, with Kolkata winning 19 and Hyderabad winning 10.
| Statistic | KKR | SRH |
|---|---|---|
| IPL matches | 29 | 29 |
| Wins | 19 | 10 |
| Losses | 10 | 19 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Tied matches | 0 | 0 |
| Win percentage | 65.52% | 34.48% |
KKR’s advantage has been particularly noticeable in knockout cricket. The two sides have met in the IPL final twice, with Kolkata winning both encounters.
KKR vs SRH Timeline
The rivalry has developed through several different phases, from SRH’s early years to their emergence as one of the league’s strongest teams.
| Season | KKR Wins | SRH Wins | Notable Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | First season of rivalry |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | Both teams win once |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | Head-to-head remains level |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | SRH win Eliminator |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | KKR sweep both meetings |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | KKR win Qualifier 2 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | KKR win Super Over |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | Both teams win once |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | KKR win IPL final |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | KKR win league meeting |
Note: The table counts IPL matches only. Exact historical totals should be checked against the official IPL records when incorporating any later-season results.
2013: The Rivalry Begins
KKR and SRH first met during the 2013 IPL season, Hyderabad’s debut campaign under the Sunrisers name.
Their first meeting came at Eden Gardens, where SRH won by five wickets after restricting Kolkata to 130/4.
The return fixture in Hyderabad went the other way. KKR won by six wickets, leaving the first season of the rivalry perfectly balanced at 1-1.
At that stage, there was little indication that the two franchises would eventually meet twice in IPL finals.
2016: SRH’s First Major Knockout Victory
The 2016 season was an important chapter for SRH.
Hyderabad had established itself as one of the strongest teams in the tournament, led by David Warner, and eventually won its first IPL title.
KKR and SRH met in the Eliminator at Delhi. Hyderabad posted 162/8 and then defended the total, winning by 22 runs.
SRH progressed to Qualifier 2 and eventually defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final to claim their maiden IPL championship.
For KKR, the defeat marked the end of their 2016 campaign.
2017: KKR Take Complete Control
The following season was almost the opposite.
KKR won both league meetings against SRH in 2017. Their first victory came at Hyderabad, where Kolkata chased down 48 in only 3.4 overs after SRH were dismissed for 48.
That remains one of the most extraordinary low totals in IPL history.
KKR then won the return fixture at Eden Gardens, completing a 2-0 season against Hyderabad.
2018: Another Playoff Meeting
The rivalry reached the playoffs again in 2018.
SRH had finished second in the league stage, while KKR qualified in fourth position. After SRH lost Qualifier 1 to Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata faced Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.
SRH made 174/7, but KKR chased the target with five balls remaining.
Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill played important roles in the chase as Kolkata reached the final.
KKR ultimately lost the final to CSK, but their victory over SRH added another significant knockout result to the rivalry.
2020: The Super Over Thriller
One of the most memorable KKR-SRH encounters came during the 2020 season in the UAE.
The match in Abu Dhabi ended in a tie after both teams scored 163.
That meant the game went to a Super Over.
SRH managed only two runs from their Super Over, while KKR chased the target without losing a wicket, with Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik completing the job.
It was one of the rare occasions in IPL history when a regular league match had to be decided by a Super Over.
2022: Russell’s Late Assault
The 2022 meeting in Mumbai produced another close contest.
KKR posted 175/8, with Andre Russell playing a crucial late-innings role.
SRH appeared to be in a strong position during the chase, but Kolkata’s bowlers pulled things back. SRH eventually finished on 123/8, giving KKR a 54-run victory.
Russell’s all-round contribution was central to the result.
2024: The Rivalry Reaches the Final
The 2024 season produced the biggest KKR-SRH meeting yet.
Both teams had been among the strongest sides throughout the tournament, and they eventually met twice in the playoffs.
KKR won Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad by eight wickets, bowling SRH out for 159 before chasing the target comfortably.
That sent Kolkata directly into the final.
SRH then defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to earn another chance against KKR.
2024 IPL Final
The final at Chennai turned into a one-sided contest.
SRH won the toss and elected to bat, but KKR’s bowlers immediately put them under pressure.
Hyderabad were dismissed for just 113, the lowest total in an IPL final.
Andre Russell took three wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana also played major roles with the ball.
KKR then chased the target in just 10.3 overs, winning by eight wickets.
It was Kolkata’s third IPL championship, after their previous titles in 2012 and 2014.
The final also represented the most emphatic playoff victory in the history of the KKR-SRH rivalry.
2025: KKR Continue Their Advantage
The teams met once during the 2025 league stage.
KKR won the contest by 80 runs, further extending their advantage in the overall rivalry.
The result meant that Kolkata had continued their strong record against Hyderabad despite SRH’s run to the 2024 final.
KKR vs SRH in IPL Finals
The two franchises have met twice in an IPL final, and KKR have won both.
| Year | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | KKR | 8 wickets |
| — | — | — |
There is an important distinction here: KKR and SRH have met only once in an IPL final, in 2024. Their other major knockout meetings include the 2016 Eliminator and 2018 Qualifier 2.
So the 2024 final is the only championship match between the two sides.
KKR vs SRH: Highest Team Totals
Both sides have produced some impressive batting performances in this fixture.
KKR’s highest score against SRH is 208/7, while SRH’s highest total against KKR is 228/4.
| Team | Highest Score | Season |
|---|---|---|
| KKR | 208/7 | 2019 |
| SRH | 228/4 | 2022 |
SRH’s 228/4 in 2022 came during a dominant batting display in Mumbai. The innings was driven by Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram as Hyderabad posted one of their highest totals of the season.
KKR vs SRH: Lowest Scores
The fixture has also produced some dramatic batting collapses.
SRH’s 48 all out in 2017 is particularly memorable. Kolkata’s bowlers tore through the Hyderabad batting order, and KKR then completed the chase in only 3.4 overs.
That match remains one of the clearest examples of how quickly a T20 game can disappear from a team’s control.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several players have had a significant impact on KKR-SRH matches over the years.
David Warner
Warner was central to SRH’s rise during the middle part of the 2010s. His aggressive opening batting frequently put pressure on KKR’s bowlers, and he became one of the most important run-scorers in the fixture during his SRH career.
Andre Russell
Russell has produced several match-winning performances against Hyderabad, both with the bat and ball. His ability to change a match in a few overs has made him particularly dangerous in this matchup.
His three-wicket haul in the 2024 final was one of the defining performances of that game.
Sunil Narine
Narine has been a constant presence for KKR throughout the rivalry. His variations with the ball have often been used against SRH’s aggressive batting line-ups, while his evolution as a T20 opener has added another dimension to his contribution.
Pat Cummins
Cummins became an important figure in the rivalry from the SRH side, particularly during their run to the 2024 final. As captain, he led Hyderabad to the championship match after a remarkable league campaign, although KKR dominated the final.
The Biggest Turning Points
The KKR-SRH rivalry can broadly be divided into a few defining periods.
2013–2015: The teams were relatively evenly matched, with both sides regularly exchanging wins.
2016: SRH gained the upper hand in knockout cricket by eliminating KKR on their way to their first title.
2017–2018: KKR responded strongly, including their extraordinary 48-run dismissal of SRH and their 2018 Qualifier 2 victory.
2020–2023: The rivalry produced several close league games, including the 2020 Super Over.
2024–2025: KKR established clear superiority, particularly after their dominant 2024 playoff campaign.
Conclusion
KKR vs SRH may not have the decades-long history of some IPL rivalries, but it has produced plenty of memorable cricket.
Kolkata have the stronger overall head-to-head record, while Hyderabad have had their own defining moments, including their 2016 Eliminator victory and their run to the 2024 final.
The 2024 season remains the standout chapter. KKR defeated SRH in Qualifier 1 before dismantling them again in the final, restricting Hyderabad to 113 and completing a dominant eight-wicket victory.
Across the years, the rivalry has moved from evenly contested league games to high-pressure playoff battles. With both franchises having experienced major changes in personnel and leadership, the next chapters could look very different—but the historical advantage currently belongs firmly to Kolkata Knight Riders.
