The Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals timeline charts one of the Indian Premier League’s most compelling matchups. Since their first clash in 2008, these two franchises have produced competitive, high-intensity games that showcase evolving strategies, star performances, and dramatic finishes. While the Knight Riders generally hold the edge in overall wins, Delhi Capitals have been resilient challengers, adding balance and excitement to this rivalry.
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Head-to-Head: KKR VS DC Stats
As of the end of the 2025 IPL season, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals have faced off 35 times in official IPL matches. Here’s a snapshot of their rivalry:
| Statistic | KKR | DC |
| Matches Played | 35 | 35 |
| Wins | 19 | 15 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Score vs Rival | 272 | 228 |
| Lowest Score vs Rival | 97 | 98 |
These figures confirm that KKR holds a narrow advantage, while both teams have produced memorable batting and bowling displays across IPL seasons.
Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals Timeline: Season-Wise Overview
2008–2011: Rivalry Begins
The first Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals match came in IPL’s inaugural 2008 season. Both sides were still finding their footing in T20 cricket, sharing wins early on and laying the foundation for future clashes.
2012–2015: KKR Gains Upper Hand
KKR began to establish dominance — winning a higher proportion of matchups and setting up the Knights as one of the league’s strongest teams. Their success in this era mirrored their broader franchise strength across the IPL.
2016–2019: DC Strikes Back
Delhi Capitals found rhythm in this period, earning key victories and showcasing improved batting depth and bowling precision. Some encounters, especially in 2019, saw DC successfully chase significant totals against KKR, highlighting their competitive growth.
2020–2021: Competitive Balance
Both teams shared victories, with KKR often leveraging experience and DC displaying grit. A notable game in this period was a playoff encounter where KKR edged DC in a tight finish, underscoring how this rivalry could hinge on small margins.
2022: DC Momentum
In 2022, Delhi claimed multiple wins against KKR, with disciplined bowling and calculated chases contributing to their edge in those fixtures.
2023: Close Battles
The rivalry remained closely contested, with DC winning by four wickets in one match and KKR fighting back in others.
2024: KKR’s Dominant Year
KKR enjoyed a standout season against DC, winning both encounters — one by 106 runs in Visakhapatnam and another by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens — demonstrating batting power and bowling control. This season also marked KKR’s third IPL title, a historic achievement for the franchise.
2025: KKR Maintains Edge
In the 2025 league meeting, KKR secured a 14-run win over DC, rounding off another chapter in the timeline and maintaining their overall edge.
The season-wise timeline of KKR VS DC highlights how this rivalry has evolved into one of the IPL’s most anticipated fixtures.
Key Performers in the KKR VS DC Timeline
Kolkata Knight Riders:
- Shreyas Iyer – Regular run-scorer and impactful captain in key matches.
- Sunil Narine – Veteran all-rounder with significant contributions in both batting and bowling.
- Andre Russell – Game-changer whose power hitting and wicket-taking often shifted momentum.
Delhi Capitals:
- David Warner – One of DC’s highest run-scorers in this head-to-head rivalry.
- Rishabh Pant – Influential middle-order bat, known for aggressive strike rates.
- Kuldeep Yadav & Anrich Nortje – Effective bowlers who have provided crucial breakthroughs.
These players have been central to many memorable encounters in the Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals timeline.
KKR Vs DC IPL Titles & Achievements
KKR became three-time IPL champions by winning titles in 2012, 2014, and 2024. Their 2024 victory was particularly dominant, with a convincing final performance. Delhi Capitals have never won an IPL title but made a finals appearance in 2020, finishing as runners-up.
| Team | IPL Titles | Notable Finishes |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 3 (2012, 2014, 2024) | Multiple playoff runs |
| Delhi Capitals | 0 | Runners-up in 2020 |
Iconic Moments in the KKR Vs DC Timeline
- 2008: The first-ever KKR vs DC IPL match, igniting a long-standing rivalry.
- 2019: DC chased 180+ runs to defeat KKR in one of the most memorable fixtures.
- 2024: KKR recorded a 106-run win, their biggest margin over DC, and later completed a clean sweep of DC in season matchups.
- 2025: KKR’s 14-run victory added another chapter to this evolving timeline.
These milestones underline why the Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals timeline is so significant in IPL history.
What to Expect from KKR vs DC in IPL 2026
The Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals timeline enters a thrilling new chapter in IPL 2026. With both teams fielding strong, balanced squads, these clashes promise high-intensity action and unpredictable outcomes.
KKR’s Strengths: Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR combines experience and firepower. Key players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Cameron Green provide explosive batting, versatile spin options, and a fast-bowling attack capable of breaking partnerships. Their deep batting lineup allows them to chase big totals or set challenging scores.
DC’s Strengths: Under Axar Patel’s leadership, Delhi Capitals blend youth and experience. KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, and David Miller anchor the batting, while Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson, and Kuldeep Yadav offer a varied bowling attack. DC’s tactical flexibility makes them a formidable opponent in any condition.
Fans can look forward to high-scoring contests, last-over finishes, and standout individual performances. With both teams boasting international stars and rising Indian talent, KKR vs DC matches in 2026 are set to be fiercely competitive and strategically engaging.
KKR and DC Squads for IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad – IPL 2026
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep
Delhi Capitals Squad – IPL 2026
Axar Patel (C), Abhishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Auqib Dar, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Kyle Jamieson
Conclusion
The Kolkata Knight Riders VS Delhi Capitals timeline highlights one of IPL’s most exciting rivalries, full of high-intensity games and memorable performances.
With KKR’s championship experience and DC’s mix of youth and firepower, the 2026 season promises thrilling contests, big scores, and tight finishes. Every clash adds a new chapter to this evolving rivalry, making it a must-watch for cricket fans.
Both teams have the talent and depth to turn matches in their favor, ensuring that fans witness strategic battles, standout individual performances, and unforgettable moments throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When did KKR and DC first meet?
KKR and DC first played in the IPL in 2008, the league’s inaugural season.
Q2. What is the head-to-head record?
Out of 35 matches, Kolkata Knight Riders have 19 wins, Delhi Capitals have 15, and one game ended with no result.
Q3. Which team has the highest total vs the other?
KKR scored 272, the highest team total in this rivalry, while DC’s highest is 228.
Q4. Has either team won an IPL title?
KKR has won three IPL titles (2012, 2014, 2024); DC is yet to secure a championship.
Q5. Who are some key players in this rivalry?
Shreyas Iyer, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell (KKR) and David Warner, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav (DC) have been notable performers.
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