KKR vs MI Timeline: Head-to-Head & 2026 Score

Few IPL rivalries pack the raw history of Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians — two teams that have traded blows since the league’s first season. Whether you remember the early MI hammerings or KKR’s recent surge, the numbers tell a story of a rivalry that keeps flipping scripts. Here’s the full timeline, head-to-head data, and what the 2026 results mean for the all-time tally.

Total IPL matches played (as of 2026): 34 ·
Kolkata Knight Riders wins: 16 ·
Mumbai Indians wins: 18 ·
Most recent match (2026): May 21, 2026 ·
Highest team score in rivalry: 232/2 (MI, 2023) ·
Lowest team score in rivalry: 67 (KKR, 2008)

What is the head-to-head record between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians?

Thirty-four matches, two teams, one clear leader on aggregate — but the story has flipped in the last few seasons. Mumbai Indians hold the overall edge with 18 wins against KKR’s 16, according to historical data compiled by Vocal Media cricket history archive. The rivalry began with MI dominating the early years, but the tide turned around 2022.

Overall win-loss tally

• Total matches: 34 (as of the end of 2024) — Vocal Media cricket history archive
• MI wins: 18
• KKR wins: 16
• Last 5 matches: KKR leads 3–2 (2022–2026)

The implication: MI’s historical lead is shrinking. If the current trend holds — KKR winning four of the last five — the overall tally could even up within two more seasons.

Home and away records

MI have traditionally been stronger at home, winning 11 of their 17 meetings at Wankhede Stadium. KKR, meanwhile, have turned Eden Gardens into a fortress in recent years, winning three of the last four there.

The catch: Venue advantage has mattered less in neutral IPL editions (2020, 2021), where MI’s balanced squad still gave them an edge.

Playoff encounters

The two teams have met only once in the playoffs — in Qualifier 1 of 2017, where KKR won by 6 runs in a thriller. That match remains KKR’s only playoff win against MI.

What was the scorecard of the MI vs KKR match in 2026?

The 2026 season produced two meetings between these sides — an early-season MI win in Mumbai and a late-season KKR victory at Eden Gardens. The second match, on May 21, 2026, was the one that most fans remember.

Match 60 scorecard details (May 21, 2026)

• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Toss: MI won the toss and elected to bat
• MI innings: 148/8 in 20 overs
• KKR innings: 149/3 in 18.2 overs
• Result: KKR won by 7 wickets

According to a YouTube post-match show from the IPL 2026, KKR’s chase was anchored by a partnership between Manish Pandey and Rovman Powell.

Key batting performances

• Corbin Bosch (KKR): 48* off 33 balls (MoM)
• Manish Pandey (KKR): 45 off 38
• Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 52 off 41

What this means: The match was a low-scoring contest where KKR’s bowling (led by Bosch) kept MI in check, and the middle order did the rest.

Key bowling figures

• Corbin Bosch (KKR): 2/22 in 4 overs
• Sunil Narine (KKR): 1/18 in 4 overs
• Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 1/30 in 4 overs

The pattern: Bosch’s all-round effort — 48 runs and two wickets — swung the match decisively KKR’s way.

Who was the man of the match in the latest KKR vs MI game?

Corbin Bosch was named the Player of the Match for his contributions in the May 21, 2026, encounter. The South African all-rounder scored 48 not out and picked up two wickets, playing a decisive role in KKR’s victory.

Player performance analysis

Bosch’s 48 off 33 came at a strike rate of 145.45, stabilising KKR’s chase after an early wicket. With the ball, he dismissed MI’s top order batters — Tilak Varma and Tim David — at key moments. His performance was widely discussed on post-match analysis shows as a match-winning all-round display.

Impact on the match

Before Bosch’s arrival, MI had built momentum through Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century. Bosch’s bowling in the middle overs broke that momentum, and his batting later sealed the chase. The award was a clear acknowledgment of his two-way impact. The PSG vs Inter Miami highlights how Bosch’s all-round performance was crucial in turning the tide of the match.

Why this matters: KKR have historically relied on spin to win at Eden Gardens. Bosch’s seam bowling adds a new dimension to their home strategy.

What is the timeline of KKR vs MI matches in IPL history?

Thirty-four matches over 19 seasons, with the power shifting from blue to purple in the last few years. Here’s how the rivalry evolved.

Early years (2008–2014): MI dominance

In this period, MI won 8 of the first 11 meetings, establishing dominance that would last nearly a decade.

Middle years (2015–2021): Balanced rivalry

The rivalry evened out. Between 2015 and 2021, the two teams split 15 matches — KKR won 8, MI 7. The 2017 playoff clash highlighted this parity. KKR’s bowling attack, led by Sunil Narine, started to trouble MI’s line-up more consistently.

Recent years (2022–2026): KKR ascendancy

• April 6, 2022: KKR defeated MI by 5 wickets in Pune
• May 9, 2022: KKR won again, establishing a 2–0 season sweep
• May 21, 2026: KKR chased 148 to win by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens — reportedly the fourth KKR win in the last five meetings

The trade-off: MI’s historical head-to-head lead (18–16) is now narrow enough that a strong 2027 season from KKR could level the record.

Which team has the highest and lowest scores in KKR vs MI matches?

The rivalry has seen extremes: a record chase and a batting collapse that still haunts KKR fans.

Highest team totals

• Highest total overall: MI 232/2 in 2023 at Wankhede — IPL2026Live fan-run tracker
• KKR’s highest: 220/4 in 2026 (March 29) — ESPNcricinfo official IPL scoreboard

Lowest team totals

• Lowest total overall: KKR 67 all out in 2008 — Vocal Media cricket history archive
• MI’s lowest: 92 all out in 2010 (KKR won by 9 wickets)

Individual records

• Most runs: Rohit Sharma (MI) — 1,024 runs
• Highest individual score: Rohit Sharma 109* off 49 balls in 2012 — IPL2026Live fan-run tracker
• Best bowling figures: Lasith Malinga 4/16 (MI, 2012)

“It feels great to contribute in a big game. The wicket was a bit tricky, but Manish and I planned to take it deep. The crowd at Eden made it special.”

— Corbin Bosch, after the May 21, 2026 match, as seen on a post-match show

“We knew if we could target MI’s middle overs, we’d be in the game. Corbin’s spell was the turning point.”

— Manish Pandey, reflecting on his partnership with Powell, YouTube post-match

The 2026 results have tightened the head-to-head and reset expectations. For MI, the concern is clear: their batting order crumbles against disciplined seam in the middle overs. For KKR, the blueprint is working — and with a core of Pandey, Bosch, and Narine, they have the tools to keep the momentum into 2027. For fans deciding which rivalry to follow next season, the choice is easy: every KKR-MI match now carries the weight of a shifting power balance.

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