Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) win over Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday was a rarity. The last time KKR tasted success against MI was in April 2019. And before that, in 2015.
With five IPL titles in their kitty, Mumbai have stamped their authority on the league. However, even by their lofty standards, their success against Kolkata is almost on another planet.
MI’s success against all teams
- Against KKR: 75.9%
- Against RCB: 63.33%
- Against CSK: 58.8%
- Against DC: 55.2 %
- Against SRH: 52.9%
- Against RR: 52%
- Against PBKS: 51.8%
KKR, two-time IPL champions, have been among the most successful T20 franchises, but MI have been their curious kryptonite. Even in April, during the first phase of IPL 2021, KKR managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of a looming victory against MI.
On the occasion of this rare KKR victory over MI, we look at the handful of such instances in the MI-KKR 14-year rivalry.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | April 2010
It took KKR two and a half seasons, five matches, a dead rubber, and the absence of some key Mumbai players including Sachin Tendulkar, to register a win against MI.
The KKR bowlers restricted Mumbai to 133/8 before a 97-run opening stand between Sourav Ganguly and Brendon McCullum sealed it for the hosts.
KKR failed to qualify for the Playoffs for the third time in a row, while MI finished the tournament as the runners-up.
MI 133/8 in 20 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 46; Murali Kartik 2-20) lost to KKR 135/1 in 17.3 overs (McCullum 57; R. Sathish 1-11) by 9 wickets with 15 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Murali Kartik.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | May 2012
The match is best remembered for an off-the-field fiasco that led to KKR team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan earning a five-year ban from the Wankhede Stadium.
Otherwise, it was a bowler-dominated contest. Under Gautam Gambhir, KKR were finally finding in their feet in the league in a season remembered for Sunil Narine’s domination. MI struggled to pick the Trinidadian as the batters fell to him like ninepins.
KKR went on to win an IPL title for the first time that year. It remains the only time they beat Mumbai in Mumbai.
KKR 140/7 in 20 overs (Manoj Tiwary 41; R.P. Singh 2-33) beat MI 108 in 19.1 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 27; Sunil Narine 4-15) by 32 runs. Player of the Match: Sunil Narine.
Abu Dhabi | April 2014
Another two-year wait before Gambhir’s men beat Mumbai at Abu Dhabi in the opening game of the 2014 edition. Having won their first IPL title, MI were the defending champions.
After losing Gambhir in the second over, Jacques Kallis and Manish Pandey piled up a 131-run stand to help KKR post a challenging total. Once again, the MI batters found it tough to negotiate Narine as he went on to bowl 14 dots and pick up four wickets.
Between Narine and Morne Morkel, KKR sent down eight overs, going for 36 runs and picking five wickets.
KKR 163/5 in 20 overs (Jacques Kallis 72; Lasith Malinga 4-23) beat MI 122/7 in 20 overs (Ambati Rayudu 48; Sunil Narine 4-20) by 41 runs. Player of the Match: Jacques Kallis.
Barabati, Cuttack | May 2014
KKR won three consecutive matches that season by beating MI on a challenging track to bat. Robin Uthappa continued his good form and made the difference with the bat before Yusuf Pathan finished the chase off without any jitters.
The 2014 edition remains the only time when KKR beat MI in both games in a season. They also went on to win their second title in 2014.
MI 141/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 51; Morne Morkel 2-35) lost to KKR 142/5 in 18.4 overs (Robin Uthappa 80; Harbhajan Singh 2-22) by 5 wickets with 8 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Robin Uthappa.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | April 2015
KKR completed a hat-trick of wins over MI after winning their IPL 2015 opener at home. Despite posting a challenging total, MI could not contain the explosive KKR.
Had it not been for Morkel’s tight spell, MI could have reached over 180. Suryakumar Yadav (now a star for MI) slammed a 20-ball 46 not out for KKR to ensure the defending champions completed a dominating win in the 19th over.
However, it was MI who won their second title that season.
MI 168/3 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 98*; Morne Morkel 2-18) lost to KKR 170/3 in 18.3 overs (Gautam Gambhir 57; Corey Anderson 1-21) by 7 wickets with 9 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Morne Morkel.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | April 2019
KKR had to wait another four years to celebrate a win over MI. By now, the KKR unit wore a different look and was led by Dinesh Karthik. In an action-packed contest, 19-year-old Shubman Gill, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell bludgeoned the MI bowling to put up a massive 232.
Hardik Pandya kept MI in the game with a scintillating 34-ball 91, but he did not have enough support from the other batters as they fell to a 34-run defeat. In a high-scoring match, Russell also starred with the ball, claiming 2-25 in his four overs.
Despite this win, KKR could not qualify for the Playoffs, while MI went on to win their fourth title that season.
KKR 232/2 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 80*; Hardik Pandya 1-31) beat MI 198/7 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 91; Andre Russell 2-25) by 34 runs. Player of the Match: Andre Russell.
Abu Dhabi, September 2021
MI batters failed to capitalise on a solid start as KKR bowlers kept it tight in the middle overs. Between Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Lockie Ferguson, KKR bowled 12 overs for 69 on a good batting track.
As in their previous encounter against the KKR, MI relied on their bowling to bail them out, but Eoin Morgan’s men pressed the counterattack mode from the onset. The uncapped duo of Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi had little respect for the reputations of the bowlers in the opponent rank.
KKR completed the chase with 29 balls to spare, further boosting their net run-rate.
MI 155/6 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 55; Lockie Ferguson 2-27) lost to KKR 159/3 in 15.1 overs (Rahul Tripathi 74*; Jasprit Bumrah 3-43) by 7 wickets with 29 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Sunil Narine.