The Indian Premier League has blessed the Indian fans with numerous rivalries, each having legendary battles and match performances that they cannot forget. Out of all these rivalries, the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals Timeline has stood out because of its unpredictability, strength, and strategy-wise nature. Compared to any other rivalries, these two teams have been constantly improving and sharing victories and defeats. The two sides, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, first played against each other in 2008, and have since then created record-breaking innings and provided infinite storylines. This blog will seek to offer a highlight of the initial career paths of the Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, and the changing dynamics and meetups that emerged between the two teams.
Table of Contents
Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Delhi Capitals Rivalry Genesis (2008-2010)
The Indian Premier League came into light in the year 2008, which was the year when both the teams, the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals, were born.
12 May 2008, the Kolkata Knight Riders faced Delhi Capitals, then known as Delhi Daredevils, in their very first match, when KKR dominated DD by 23 runs. This victory provided the Kolkata Knight Riders with their very first official upper hand over the Delhi Daredevils.
21 May 2008, Delhi, the second scheduled match was set to take place, but was cancelled as a result of unfavourable weather conditions.
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In the following years, both teams endured several battles, but neither was successful enough to rule over the other. This balance of victories and defeats clearly indicated that neither of the two teams enjoyed a clear advantage, paving the way for intensely contested battles.
The Super Over Era of KKR Vs DC
Some of the finest moments in the history of KKR vs. DC took place between 2015 and 2019.
April 9, 2016, Kolkata: KKR asserted their dominance at Eden Gardens by thrashing DC with a 9-wicket win.
April 29, 2016, Delhi: DC proved their resilience a couple of weeks later by claiming victory by 27 runs on home soil.
Kolkata, Apr 16, 2018: In one of their most complete outings, KKR scored a massive total and won by 71 runs.
Delhi, Apr 27, 2018: Headed by young, aggressive players such as Rishabh Pant, DC got their revenge with a 55-run win.
Delhi, March 30, 2019: One of the most thrilling aspects of this series for fans was a Super Over match. DC remained calm in the tie-breaker to claim the game after both sides ended on even runs.
Kolkata, April 12, 2019: Delhi did a complete turnaround in their favour as they defeated Kolkata with a 7-wicket win.
Players such as Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, and Rishabh Pant shared the limelight in this period as DC’s youngsters excelled as the emerging stars. Meanwhile, KKR relentlessly relied on experienced players such as Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. The competition was intensified by the rivalry emerging between young attacking players and seasoned professionals.
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The Pandemic Era Wars Between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals (2020 – 2022)
3rd October 2020, Sharjah – DC or Delhi Capitals won against KKR by 18 runs
24th October 2020, Abu Dhabi – KKR won by 59 runs and exhibited their adaptability
10th April 2022, Mumbai – DC won against KKR by 44 runs, highlighting Prithvi Shaw’s excellent batting
28th April 2022 – KKR lost by 4 wickets to DC
KKR’s Revival from Shadows to the Spotlight
According to records, it was observed that the competition shifted in favour of Delhi, but the 2024 and 2025 seasons saw a remarkable return of Kolkata.
3rd April 2024, Visakhapatnam – KKR made 272/7, one of the highest scores in the history of IPL, and beat DC by 106 runs.
29th April 2024, Kolkata – KKR chased down DC’s target effortlessly. They won by 7 wickets and established their dominance at Eden Gardens.
29th April, 2025, Delhi – KKR again emerged victorious in the year 2025. With 204 runs, KKR defended the total with a tremendous bowling show. Sunil Narine displayed an incredible performance with both bat and ball – 27 runs and 3 wickets.
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Conclusion
The Delhi Capitals-Kolkata Knight Riders rivalry might not be as intense as MI-CSK, but it has etched a special niche in the IPL’s rich history.
What makes it special is the perpetual see-saw of strength, i.e., one team has always come back strongly when the other appeared to get the upper hand. This team rivalry has always provided the fans with a cause to celebrate, despair, and come back for more. Emerging stars such as Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and veterans such as Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, the KKR vs DC story is far from reaching its conclusion. Thus, the fans can look forward to plenty more electrifying chapters in the years to come as these two teams continue to uphold their IPL sheen.