The Indian Premier League 2026 brings another exciting clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 28 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This rivalry has always been closely fought, with both teams enjoying phases of dominance over the years.
While KKR have historically been strong at home, RR have shown improvement in recent seasons, making this contest even more competitive. Here is a complete breakdown of their head-to-head record, Eden Gardens stats, and key match insights.
Match Details
| Match | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Indian Premier League 2026 |
| Match Number | Match 28 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | 19 April 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
KKR vs RR Head to Head Record in IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other multiple times in IPL history. The rivalry remains balanced, with only a small difference in wins.
| Teams | Matches | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 32 | 16 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 32 | 14 |
| No Result | 32 | 2 |
Key Head-to-Head Records
| Category | KKR | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 | 32 |
| Wins | 16 | 14 |
| Losses | 14 | 16 |
| No Result | 2 | 2 |
| Highest Score | 223 | 224 |
| Lowest Score | 125 | 81 |
This shows how close the rivalry has been over the years, with both teams capable of beating each other on any given day.
KKR vs RR Recent Head-to-Head Trend
In recent IPL seasons, results have been mixed between both sides.
Last Few Results Between KKR and RR
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | KKR won (last-ball finish) |
| 2025 | KKR won |
| 2024 | RR won |
| 2023 | RR won |
| 2023 | RR won |
Key Insight
- KKR dominated in 2025
- RR had success in 2023–2024
- Overall trend shows no clear dominance
KKR vs RR Head to Head at Eden Gardens Stadium
Eden Gardens has been a strong venue for Kolkata Knight Riders in this rivalry.
Record at Eden Gardens
| Matches | KKR Wins | RR Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 7 | 4 |
Match Results at Eden Gardens (Selected)
| Year | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | KKR | Won by 1 run |
| 2024 | RR | Won by 2 wickets |
| 2023 | RR | Won by 9 wickets |
| 2019 | RR | Won by 3 wickets |
| 2018 | KKR | Won by 6 wickets |
Key Venue Insights
- KKR dominate overall at Eden Gardens
- RR have improved with recent wins
- Matches are often close finishes
Eden Gardens IPL Overall Match Record
Eden Gardens is one of the most iconic stadiums in cricket and offers balanced conditions.
| Matches | Batting First Wins | Chasing Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 45% approx | 55% approx |
Venue Batting Statistics
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Average 1st Innings | 160–165 |
| Highest Team Total | 262/2 |
| Nature of Pitch | Balanced |
Toss Impact in KKR vs RR Matches
Toss has played a mixed role in this rivalry.
When RR Win the Toss
| Matches | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 8 | 7 |
When RR Lose the Toss
| Matches | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 4 | 9 |
What These Numbers Show
- RR perform better when they win the toss
- KKR rely more on match performance
- Toss provides advantage but is not decisive
Performance Summary – RR vs KKR
| Metric | RR Record |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 |
| Wins | 12 |
| Losses | 16 |
| Average Score | 23.47 |
| Run Rate | 7.91 |
| Highest Score | 224 |
| Lowest Score | 81 |
Key Storylines in KKR vs RR Clash
KKR’s Strong Home Advantage
KKR have historically dominated at Eden Gardens, winning most matches against RR at this venue.
RR’s Recent Improvement
RR have shown strong performances in recent seasons and have closed the gap in head-to-head contests.
Balanced Rivalry
The rivalry has shifted across different IPL phases, making it unpredictable.
Pitch Report – Eden Gardens
The Eden Gardens pitch generally offers a balanced contest.
Pitch Characteristics
- Early help for fast bowlers
- Spinners dominate middle overs
- Good batting conditions overall
- High-scoring matches common
Average Score at Eden Gardens
| Innings | Average Score |
|---|---|
| First Innings | 160–175 |
A total above 170 is considered competitive here.
Key Players in This Rivalry
Kolkata Knight Riders
- Sunil Narine
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Rinku Singh
- Ajinkya Rahane
Rajasthan Royals
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Riyan Parag
- Jofra Archer
What Makes This Rivalry Special
KKR vs RR has always been a close contest with:
- Balanced head-to-head record
- Multiple close finishes
- Strong home advantage factor
- Shifting momentum across seasons
This makes every match between these teams exciting and unpredictable.
FAQs
How many matches have KKR and RR played in IPL?
They have played 32 matches in IPL history.
Who has won more matches between KKR and RR?
KKR lead with 16 wins, while RR have 14 wins.
What is KKR vs RR record at Eden Gardens?
KKR have won 7 matches, while RR have won 4.
What is the highest score in this rivalry?
RR have the highest score of 224, while KKR’s best is 223.
Is Eden Gardens a batting-friendly pitch?
Yes, it is balanced but generally supports batters with some help for spinners.
Conclusion
The KKR vs RR rivalry remains one of the most competitive in IPL history. While Kolkata Knight Riders hold a slight edge overall and a stronger record at Eden Gardens, Rajasthan Royals have improved significantly in recent years.
With both teams having match-winners and the venue offering balanced conditions, this contest promises to be another closely fought battle. The head-to-head numbers suggest a tight game, where small moments could decide the winner.
