Introduction – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Timeline
From the first IPL season in 2008, whenever Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face Delhi Capitals / Delhi Daredevils, fans expect excitement. This rivalry has been a blend of explosive batting, spin battles, drama in the final overs, and often surprising upsets. Over nearly two decades, both teams have built memorable moments—in clutch chases, bowl-outs, and sheer individual brilliance. This article aims to lay out a nearly full timeline (from 2008 to IPL 2025) of KKR vs DC/Daredevils matches with dates, venues, winners and margins (where reliably documented), followed by overall head-to-head stats, top performers, most memorable matches, the latest 2025 clash in detail, and what might lie ahead.
Table of Contents
Detailed Timeline: Key KKR vs DC Matches (2008-2025)
Below is a timeline of matches between KKR and DC / Daredevils for which reliable data is available. Where certain details (like match number) are missing in reliable public sources, I have omitted that field rather than risk inaccuracy.
| Year | Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 12 May 2008 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | KKR | 23 runs |
| 2008 | 21 May 2008 | Delhi | No Result (abandoned) | – |
| 2009 | 4 May 2009 | Durban (neutral venue) | Delhi Daredevils | 9 wickets |
| 2009 | 9 May 2009 | Johannesburg (neutral) | Delhi Daredevils | 7 wickets |
| 2010 | 28 March 2010 | Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | Delhi Daredevils | 40 runs |
| 2010 | 6 April 2010 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | KKR | 14 runs |
| 2011 | 27 April 2011 | Delhi | KKR | 17 runs |
| 2012 | 4 April 2012 | Kolkata | Delhi Daredevils | 8 wickets |
| 2012 | 6 May 2012 | Delhi | KKR | 6 wickets |
| 2012 | 21 May 2012 | Pune | KKR | 18 runs |
| 2013 | 3 April 2013 | Kolkata | KKR | 6 wickets |
| 2013 | 30 April 2013 | Raipur | Delhi Daredevils | 7 wickets |
| 2014 | 6 May 2014 | Delhi | KKR | 8 wickets |
| 2014 | 18 April 2014 | Dubai (neutral) | Delhi Daredevils | 4 wickets |
| 2015 | 6 May 2015 | Kolkata | KKR | 13 runs |
| 2015 | 19 April 2015 | Delhi | KKR | 6 wickets |
| 2016 | 9 April 2016 | Kolkata | KKR | 9 wickets |
| 2016 | 29 April 2016 | Delhi | Delhi Daredevils | 27 runs |
| 2017 | 17 April 2017 | Delhi | KKR | 4 wickets |
| 2017 | 28 April 2017 | Kolkata | KKR | 7 wickets |
| 2018 | 16 April 2018 | Kolkata | KKR | 71 runs |
| 2018 | 27 April 2018 | Delhi | Delhi Daredevils | 55 runs |
| 2019 | 12 April 2019 | Kolkata | Delhi Capitals | 7 wickets |
| 2019 | 30 March 2019 | Delhi | Delhi Capitals (via Super Over) | Super Over win |
| 2020 | 3 October 2020 | Sharjah | Delhi Capitals | 18 runs |
| 2020 | 24 October 2020 | Abu Dhabi | KKR | 59 runs |
| 2021 | 29 April 2021 | Ahmedabad | Delhi Capitals | 7 wickets |
| 2021 | 28 September 2021 | Sharjah | KKR | 3 wickets |
| 2021 | 13 October 2021 | Sharjah | KKR | 3 wickets |
| 2022 | 10 April 2022 | Mumbai | Delhi Capitals | 44 runs |
| 2022 | 28 April 2022 | Mumbai | Delhi Capitals | 4 wickets |
| 2023 | 20 April 2023 | Delhi | Delhi Capitals | 4 wickets |
| 2024 | 3 April 2024 | Visakhapatnam | KKR | 106 runs |
| 2024 | 29 April 2024 | Kolkata | KKR | 7 wickets |
| 2025 | 29 April 2025 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | KKR | 14 runs |
Note: “Super Over win” indicates that the match was tied in regular 20 overs and the winner was decided by Super Over.
Overall Head-to-Head Record (KKR vs DC / Daredevils)
Based on the matches listed and reliable sources:
- Total matches played: 35
- KKR won: 19
- Delhi Capitals / Daredevils won: 15
- No result / Tie: 1 match (tied + Super Over)
Key extremes:
- Largest margin of victory (by runs): KKR’s 106-run win in 2024 at Visakhapatnam.
- Dominant bowling / chasing margins: E.g. in 2009, DC won by 9 wickets and 7 wickets in two matches.
Top Performers
Because older detailed statistics are less consistently documented, the following are drawn mostly from more recent seasons and reliable data:
- Most runs (in this fixture for DC): Shreyas Iyer has been among the top scorers; he has multiple high-score innings vs KKR.
- Most runs (for KKR): Players like Gautam Gambhir have historically scored heavily vs DC / Daredevils.
- Most wickets (KKR): Sunil Narine has delivered consistently, especially in matches where KKR defended or turned games with spin.
- Notable individual innings: Faf du Plessis scoring 62 in the 29 April 2025 match when DC nearly chased down 205. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s blazing start (26 off 12) in the same match.
- Best bowling spells: In the 2025 match, Narine took 3 wickets in the death overs to halt DC’s chase. Other earlier matches have bowlers like Amit Mishra, etc., putting in good performances.
Most Memorable Matches
- IPL 2024 — 3 April 2024, Visakhapatnam: KKR’s largest margin in recent years vs DC, winning by 106 runs. A match that showcased batting firepower and disciplined bowling.
- IPL 2025 — 29 April, Delhi: High scoring 20-overs match where KKR posted 204/9, DC came back strongly but lost by 14 runs. All-rounders and death-over bowling proved decisive.
- IPL 2019 — Tie & Super Over: A match that ended tied in regular overs and was decided in the Super Over, showing how balanced these teams have often been.
IPL-2025 Latest Clash: Full Details
- Date & Venue: 29 April 2025, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Match 48.
- Toss: Delhi Capitals won and opted to field first.
- KKR Innings: Scored 204/9 in 20 overs. Major contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (26 off 12), Sunil Narine (27 off 16), etc.
- DC Innings: Chased 205 but ended at 190/9. Faf du Plessis top-scored with 62 off 45.
- Player of the Match: Sunil Narine for his crucial all-round impact (bat + wickets) in pressure moments.
- Margin: KKR won by 14 runs.
Future Expectations of the Rivalry
- Given the close win-loss record (19 vs 15), this opposition remains competitive. Each game could tip the balance.
- All-round players and death over specialists will be increasingly important. Teams that seal tight overs will often win.
- With increasing scoring rates in IPL, successful chases and high first innings totals will become more common, leading to more high-scoring thrillers.
- DC will aim to strengthen batting depth and spin vs pace handling, especially in venues where pitch conditions favour slower bowlers. KKR will continue to rely on their spin attack and middle order stability.
- Breakout performances by young players could swing momentum in this rivalry in coming seasons.
Conclusion
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals rivalry has evolved into one of the most exciting narratives in the history of the Indian Premier League. From KKR’s dominance in the early years to DC’s resurgence in the late 2010s, and now the evenly matched contests of recent seasons, every clash carries high stakes and unforgettable drama. With KKR leading 19–15 in overall head-to-head battles, the margin is slim enough to keep fans glued to future encounters.
The recent IPL 2025 clash in Delhi, where KKR edged DC by just 14 runs, proves how competitive and thrilling this rivalry remains. As both franchises continue to develop young talent, refine strategies, and nurture match-winners, the coming seasons promise even more memorable contests. For cricket fans, the KKR vs DC saga is far from over—it’s only getting better.
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