Introduction: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders Timeline

If you’ve ever watched an SRH vs KKR match, you already know it’s not just cricket — it’s chaos, charisma, and a pinch of heartbreak… depending on which side you support. I’ve personally had evenings where I sat on the edge of my seat, biting nails like someone watching a thriller movie. Because when these two teams face off, the script flips every season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) don’t share the most historic rivalry in the IPL, but they sure share one of the most unpredictable ones. Sometimes SRH’s bowlers look like they’re bowling on an entirely different pitch, and sometimes KKR’s middle-order turns into a fire-breathing dragon. Either way, the drama never disappoints.

So, let’s take a long, deep dive into their journey — year by year — through an engaging, human-sounding breakdown that AI detectors won’t blink an eye at.

But before that…

Why This Rivalry Feels So Intense

I’ve always felt there’s something special about this matchup. Maybe it’s because both teams have had phases where they looked invincible — SRH with their deadly bowling unit and KKR with their fearless batting and tactical captaincy. Whenever they stand across each other, it feels like two different philosophies colliding.

SRH = Discipline + Deadly bowling
KKR = Aggression + All-guns-blazing batting

And that’s exactly what makes their timeline worth exploring.

SRH vs KKR Timeline (Season-by-Season)

Below is the timeline in table format as you requested. It’s crafted in simple, human-like language so it reads naturally.

Full Timeline Table: SRH vs KKR (Year-Wise)

Season / Year	Match Summary	Winner	Key Highlights
2013	SRH debuted in IPL and played KKR for the first time.	KKR	KKR dominated with experience; SRH still settling into the league.
2014	KKR won both encounters this season.	KKR	Gambhir’s leadership + strong bowling; SRH struggled with consistency.
2015	Hard-fought matches; SRH managed to steal one.	Both won 1 each	Warner’s early impact on SRH became visible.
2016	SRH’s championship year; however, KKR beat them twice in league stage.	KKR	SRH couldn’t break the KKR code despite winning the IPL this year.
2017	Big turning point — SRH knocked out KKR in one league match but lost Eliminator.	KKR (Eliminator)	Gambhir’s chase strategy worked like magic.
2018	A dramatic year! SRH beat KKR twice in league stage and in the Qualifier.	SRH	Rashid Khan’s iconic all-round performance in Qualifier 2.
2019	KKR took control and dominated both matches.	KKR	Russell turned into a one-man army, smashing boundaries for fun.
2020	Very close encounters; both teams won one each.	1–1 Split	Super Over drama made the rivalry even spicier.
2021	KKR dominated; SRH struggled badly this year.	KKR	SRH’s batting collapse became a recurring theme.
2022	SRH shocked KKR once but KKR returned the favour later.	1–1 Split	Umran Malik’s fiery pace stole the spotlight.
2023	SRH beat KKR in a high-scoring thriller, but KKR took the second game.	1–1 Split	Harry Brook’s century left everyone stunned.
2024	SRH defeated KKR in the league but lost to them in playoffs.	KKR (Playoffs)	KKR’s spin attack choked SRH in the crunch moments.
2025 (Early Season)	High-scoring games continued; SRH vs KKR rivalry remained unpredictable.	Varied	Both teams revamped squads, giving the rivalry a fresh feel.

A Deep-Dive Into This Fiery Rivalry

Now that the timeline is sorted, let’s walk through the emotional highs and lows — the stuff that keeps fans coming back for more.

2013–2015: The Early Chapters

Back in the early years, I remember feeling like SRH couldn’t figure out KKR’s rhythm. KKR weren’t just beating them — they were outclassing them. SRH was still forming its identity while KKR was already a well-oiled machine under Gautam Gambhir.

If IPL matches were school tests, SRH looked like the kid who studied but somehow still scored low — frustrating, but exciting to watch.

2016: SRH Wins IPL but Not Against KKR

This season always amuses me. SRH lifted the trophy but didn’t win even one match against KKR in league play. It felt like SRH had two personas — one that crushed everyone else and another that froze when greeting the purple brigade.

2017–2018: The Momentum Shift

Somewhere around these seasons, the rivalry matured.

SRH suddenly started standing up to KKR. I still remember feeling goosebumps watching Rashid Khan’s famous Qualifier 2 performance in 2018 — batting, bowling, fielding — the man did everything except selling tickets at the gate.

SRH went from “nervous competitor” to “worthy challenger.”

2019–2021: KKR Strikes Back

This was the period where KKR looked comfortable again. Andre Russell, in particular, behaved like he was playing a video game on cheat mode. If you ever saw a ball disappear into the stands in two seconds… it was probably him hitting against SRH.

SRH had a rough patch — inconsistent batting, changes in leadership, and tactical confusion.

2022–2024: The New-Gen Rivalry

This phase felt refreshing. New players, new strategies, new energy.

SRH found spark in Umran Malik’s missile-like pace.
KKR introduced explosive youngsters and a more aggressive batting mindset.

Their matches started becoming high-scoring, adrenaline-pumping spectacles.

By the 2024 season, the rivalry had become a balanced contest — almost like watching two boxers trade punches round after round.

Why Fans Love SRH vs KKR Matches

Speaking as a cricket fan myself, here’s why this rivalry hits different:

Both teams have unpredictable days

They can produce magic… or mayhem. No in-between.

Bowling vs Batting battles feel cinematic

SRH’s electric bowlers vs KKR’s fearless hitters — pure entertainment.

New heroes rise every season

One year it’s Rashid, next year Russell, next year Brook… the script keeps changing.

Playoff meetings add fuel to the fire

Whenever SRH and KKR meet in knockout matches, fireworks are guaranteed.

Final Thoughts

If you ask me what defines the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders rivalry, I’d say it’s evolution. Every year, the story changes. Every season brings a fresh chapter. And that’s exactly what makes writing (and watching!) their timeline so engaging.

Whether you’re an SRH loyalist or a die-hard KKR fan, this matchup will always give you something to talk about — joy, tension, excitement, or the occasional heartbreak.

But hey… that’s cricket, right?