What is Virat Kohli’s record against KKR in the IPL?
One of IPL's biggest rivalries will have its second edition of the 2024 season when the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on April 21.
The two teams couldn't have had more contrasting results thus far, with KKR winning four of its six games and RCB coming out on top only once in seven outings.
With a win almost certainly needed for RCB to remain in the playoff hunt, all eyes will be on the battle between Virat Kohli and the KKR bowlers. For starters, Kohli boasts an impressive overall record against the Knight Riders in his IPL career.
The 35-year-old has scored 944 runs at an average of 37.80 and a strike rate of 130.20 in 31 games against KKR. It also includes six half-centuries and a century, with his best performances coming in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Kohli averaged over 90 in four games across those two seasons with two fifties and a century. Historically, he has had a massive impact on the outcomes of RCB-KKR clashes, averaging 48.60 in wins and only 32.60 in losses.
The champion batter also scored a sparkling 59-ball 83* in the first meeting between the sides in IPL 2024. However, Kohli's knock went in vain as KKR scripted an easy win by seven wickets at Bengaluru.
What happened in the first KKR-RCB clash of IPL 2024?
RCB have struggled against KKR in recent meetings, losing their previous three outings, dating back to last season.
The two teams met in a high-octane encounter at the start of the IPL 2024 season at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After being asked to bat, RCB posted a formidable total of 182/6 in 20 overs, thanks to Kohli's unbeaten 59-ball 83.
Yet, KKR had no trouble hunting down the target after openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt added 86 off just 39 deliveries. Venkatesh Iyer further added to RCB's bowling woes with a 30-ball 50 and skipper Shreyas Iyer completed the formalities with an unbeaten 39 off 24.
Sunil Narine was the Player of the Match for his all-round showing, scoring 47 off 22 balls and picking up figures of 1/40 in four overs.
It was KKR's second straight win to start the season and RCB's second loss in three games. The game marked the start of RCB's five-game losing streak, that has relegated them to the bottom of the points table.