Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is a franchise cricket team participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team is based in Kolkata, West Bengal, and was founded in 2008. Since its inception, KKR has won the IPL twice, in 2012 and 2014. Over the years, KKR has had several star players, including Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Dinesh Karthik.
The team has been known for its aggressive and innovative approach to cricket and has often been a fan favourite. Some of the biggest personalities in cricket have called KKR home, and the team has experienced many unforgettable events during the competition. Here are the top 10 KKR highest scores in IPL history that might surprise you.
Top 10 KKR Highest Scores in IPL
S.No | KKR Score | Opposition | Ground | Year | Run Rate |
1. | 245/6 | Punjab Kings | Indore | 2018 | 12.25 |
2. | 232/2 | Mumbai Indians | Kolkata | 2019 | 11.60 |
3. | 222/3 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2008 | 11.10 |
4. | 218/4 | Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 2019 | 10.90 |
5. | 206/5 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2019 | 10.30 |
6. | 204/4 | Deccan Chargers | Hyderabad | 2008 | 10.20 |
7. | 203/5 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Kolkata | 2019 | 10.15 |
8. | 202/6 | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai | 2018 | 10.10 |
9. | 200/7 | Punjab Kings | Bengaluru | 2014 | 10.00 |
10. | 200/3 | Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 2010 | 10.00 |
245/6 against Punjab Kings (2018)
In the list of KKR’s highest scores in IPL, this was a memorable one when KKR played against Punjab Kings in Indore during the 2018 season. Sunil Narine set the tone for the game with a scorching 75 runs off just 36 balls. Karthik also had a significant impact. The pair put on an amazing first stand, scoring 128 runs in just 63 deliveries and laying the groundwork for a massive total. KKR finally amassed a huge 245/6 in their 20 overs. In their pursuit, Kings XI Punjab never seemed at ease and ultimately fell short by 31 runs.
232/2 against Mumbai Indians (2019)
KKR played against Mumbai Indians at their home stadium in Kolkata during the 2019 season. KKR opener Chris Lynn played a brilliant innings of 81 runs off just 47 deliveries. Dinesh Karthik, the captain, too had a significant impact with innings of 33 runs off 22 balls. Andre Russell contributed to KKR’s ultimate score of 232/2 in their 20 overs, scoring 41 runs in just 17 deliveries. Mumbai Indians’ pursuit was never confident, and they ultimately fell 34 runs short.
222/3 against Royals Challengers Bangalore (2008)
Sitting 3rd on the list of KKR’s highest scores in IPL, nobody knew what to anticipate going into the IPL’s inaugural match until Kiwi batter Brendon McCullum lit the place on fire. In the first game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, McCullum led KKR to a record-breaking 158 not out, the best individual score in IPL history. RCB never recovered and gave up on 88, giving KKR a commanding 140-run victory.
218/4 against Punjab Kings (2019)
KKR gave a tremendous performance in front of their home crowd defeating Kings XI Punjab for a score of 218/4. The middle order of the team struck to annihilate the KXIP bowlers when the team was in a precarious position of 36/2. Nitish Rana (age 63) and Robin Uthappa (age 67) came together to deliver 110 runs. Punjab put up a valiant effort throughout the massive run chase, but the KKR spinners were able to restrain them to 190/4 by the end of 20 overs.
206/5 against Royals Challengers Bangalore (2019)
In the 2019 IPL, KKR played against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chris Lynn, the KKR team’s opener, quickly established the pace of the game with a score of 46 runs off 29 balls. While Andre Russell scored the game-winning 48 runs off just 19 balls, Nitish Rana contributed significantly with an innings of 54 runs off 36 deliveries. In the end, KKR scored 206/5 in their allotted 20 overs and then successfully chased down the target with 5 wickets.
204/4 against Deccan Chargers (2008)
KKR scored their 6th-highest total ever in the IPL against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad. It was a Sourav Ganguly show who scored 91 runs including 5 sixes and 11 fours and helped KKR to reach a total of 204/4 in 20 overs. For Deccan Chargers, Venugopal Rao tried his level best with 71 runs but with 5 batters scoring below 10 runs out of 11, Deccan Chargers only reached 181 in their 20 overs.
203/5 against Royals Challengers Bangalore (2019)
KKR’s 203/5 against Royals Challengers Bangalore is their 7th-highest total in IPL. RCB triumphs thanks to Kohli‘s century despite Rana and Russell’s scare at Eden Gardens. Despite plundering a flurry of boundaries in the dying overs, Andre Russell and Nitish Rana were unable to complete their catch in the final over. Rana (85) and Russell (65) went in vain as KKR lost the game by 10 runs.
202/6 against Chennai Super Kings (2018)
KKR’s 8th highest score in IPL was against Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling match at Chennai. In order to win a high-scoring thriller and continue the IPL’s pattern of successful chases this season, Super Kings hunted down 17 off the final over, delivered by Vinay Kumar after putting a mammoth total of 202/6 by KKR, thanks to Russell 88 runs off 36 balls but it was Jadeja who had the last laugh and finished the game by hitting a six in the final over of the game.
200/7 against Punjab Kings (2014)
Punjab Kings set a total of 200 to win for KKR, thanks to Wriddhiman Saha (115) and Manan Vohra (67), but KKR quickly lost the effective Robin Uthappa. Pandey led the pursuit with cameos from Gautam Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan. KKR defeated Kings XI Punjab by three wickets to win the 2014 Premier League. Pandey was chosen man of the final match.
200/3 against Punjab Kings (2010)
KKR 200/3 was chased down easily by the Punjab Kings, thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s 110 runs off 59 balls and Yuvraj Singh’s 33 off only 16 balls. Earlier, Chris Gayle had 88 runs off 42 balls helping KKR reach a total of 200 in 20 overs. However, it was a horrendous bowling display from the KKR bowlers as they lost the game by 8 wickets with 10 balls to spare against Punjab Kings.
KKR is one of the most popular and successful teams in the IPL, with a strong fan base and a reputation for playing exciting cricket. In fact, KKR’s highest total in IPL stands as the 4th-highest-ever total in IPL. Despite putting in some big scores, KKR lost most of the games. While the team struggled in the 2022 season, it has the potential to bounce back and compete for the championship next year.