Introduction: MI vs KKR Head to Head in IPL
Cricket in India is more than just a sport — it’s a passion, a religion, and sometimes even an emotion. Among the many thrilling rivalries in the Indian Premier League (IPL), one contest that has consistently delivered drama, fireworks, and unforgettable moments is Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Both teams are backed by massive fanbases and have rich histories in the IPL. While MI has dominated the head-to-head count, KKR has never backed down from the fight. Let’s dive into the story of this rivalry — from its early days to the latest chapter.
Table of Contents
MI vs KKR: Head-to-Head Summary
| Category | Mumbai Indians (MI) | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 34 | 34 |
| Wins | 23 | 10 |
| Highest Team Score | 210 | 232 |
| Lowest Team Score | 108 (2018) | 67 (2008) |
| Most Runs (Player) | Rohit Sharma | Venkatesh Iyer |
| Most Wickets (Player) | Jasprit Bumrah | Sunil Narine |
The MI vs KKR Timeline
The Early Years (2008–2010): MI Takes the Lead
Right from the beginning, MI showed its dominance. In 2008, Sanath Jayasuriya lit up Wankhede with a breathtaking 114* off just 48 balls. That season, MI beat KKR in both their matches.
In 2009, the tournament moved to South Africa, but the results didn’t change — MI once again got the better of KKR twice. 2010 followed a similar script with Sachin Tendulkar, Malinga, and Pollard leading the charge.
By the end of 2010, KKR had yet to win a match against Mumbai. The scoreboard was heavily tilted in MI’s favor.
The Rise of KKR (2011–2014)
Things began to change in 2011. With Gautam Gambhir stepping in as captain, KKR found new life. That year, they finally broke the jinx and beat MI for the first time.
2012 was even better — not only did KKR beat MI during the league stage, but they also went on to lift their first IPL title.
2013 wasn’t KKR’s year as MI took both wins and eventually claimed their maiden IPL trophy. But 2014 saw a strong comeback — KKR started their campaign by beating MI and ended the season with another title under Gambhir’s captaincy. Jacques Kallis and Sunil Narine were instrumental in that success.
2015–2017: The Rohit Sharma Era
This phase solidified Mumbai’s dominance once again. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, MI was almost unbeatable for KKR.
- 2015: MI won both matches, with strong performances from Lendl Simmons, Hardik Pandya, and Rohit himself.
- 2016: MI continued the streak with two more wins.
- 2017: KKR lost both league matches and also the crucial Qualifier 2. Karn Sharma’s 4-wicket haul destroyed KKR’s batting, sending MI to another final — which they won.
No matter how well KKR performed in the season, MI was always their stumbling block.
2018–2020: A Battle for Balance
This was a transitional phase for KKR. With players like Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, and Dinesh Karthik coming in, the team tried to find new rhythm. Andre Russell also emerged as a match-winner.
- 2018: MI again won both league matches and knocked out KKR in the eliminator.
- 2019: A rare victory came for KKR at Eden Gardens — a big morale booster.
- 2020: The pandemic moved IPL to UAE, and MI once again had the upper hand, beating KKR and winning their fifth title that year.
2021–2023: A New Chapter
Both teams saw changes during this period. KKR tried new leadership with Eoin Morgan and later Shreyas Iyer. MI, too, saw major shifts as some stars retired or lost form.
- 2021: Venkatesh Iyer made a big impact in the UAE leg, helping KKR finally beat MI and reach the final.
- 2022: Each side won one game. Pat Cummins stunned everyone with a 14-ball fifty in one match, while MI bounced back in the return leg thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s classy innings.
- 2023: Venkatesh Iyer smashed a century at Wankhede as KKR stunned MI. But the return fixture saw MI taking revenge with a clinical chase at Eden Gardens.
IPL 2024–2025: Youth vs Legacy
The last two seasons have seen the rivalry get even more exciting. MI, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, started a new era. KKR, with Shreyas Iyer leading and Gautam Gambhir back as mentor, looked sharper and better organized.
- 2024: KKR had the upper hand, winning both matches. Their bowling attack, especially spinners like Narine, proved too much for MI’s younger squad.
- 2025 (Latest Match): At a packed Eden Gardens, KKR posted 192/5 thanks to a solid 66 from Rinku Singh. MI, however, chased it down with just two balls to spare, thanks to a composed stand between Tilak Varma and Tim David. Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant spell (3/21) earned him the Player of the Match award.
This match proved that the rivalry is alive and well — both teams are evenly matched and the edge is razor thin.
Player Stats: MI vs KKR
Batting Records
| Stat | MI (Player) | KKR (Player) |
|---|---|---|
| Most Runs | Rohit Sharma (954) | Venkatesh Iyer (362) |
| Highest Score | Rohit Sharma (109*) | Venkatesh Iyer (104) |
| Most Sixes | Rohit Sharma (34) | Venkatesh Iyer (22) |
Bowling Records
| Stat | MI (Player) | KKR (Player) |
|---|---|---|
| Most Wickets | Jasprit Bumrah (25) | Sunil Narine (26) |
| Best Bowling | Bumrah (5/10) | Russell (5/15) |
Final Thoughts
The rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders is more than just a numbers game. It’s a saga of emotions, comebacks, collapses, and sheer cricketing brilliance.
While MI has had the upper hand overall, KKR has shown time and again that they’re never far from a turnaround. With fresh talents, evolving strategies, and seasoned campaigners, every MI vs KKR match is a new story waiting to be told.