Final result
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 21 runs
Player of the match: CV Varun
Result · Indian Premier League
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Result · Indian Premier League
H2H · KKR 20–15 RCBVenue par · 196Chase success · 55%POTM · CV Varun
Match preview & overview
KKR beat RCB by 21 runs at Chinnaswamy as CV Varun claims Player of the Match
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 21 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 26 April 2023. KKR won the toss, were put in to bat, and made full use of the conditions: their openers scored 66 without loss inside the powerplay before KKR pressed on to 200/5. Chasing 201, RCB lost 3 wickets in the first six overs and never recovered, finishing on 179/8. CV Varun was named Player of the Match for his bowling performance in the middle overs. KKR had also beaten RCB by 81 runs at Eden Gardens earlier in the same season, making it a difficult IPL campaign for Bangalore against this opponent.
The margin of 21 runs reads closer than the contest felt. KKR's powerplay score of 66 was well clear of Chinnaswamy's average of 43 across 142 matches at the ground. RCB's reply never found the same footing, with early wickets forcing the lower order to chase an increasingly steep rate through the death overs.
Pitch report & venue insights
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — 142-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2001–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
142
T20 matches hosted
196
Avg 1st-innings score
177
Avg 2nd-innings score
55%
Chase success rate
45
Avg powerplay runs
80%
Toss-field rate
Head-to-head record
Kolkata Knight Riders lead the series 20–15 from 35 completed matches
Seasons 2007–2025
Series standing
Kolkata Knight Riders
Royal Challengers Bangalore35
Total meetings
0
No results
10
In last 10
Recent encounters
Last 102025RCB won by 7 wickets
2024KKR won by 1 run
2024KKR won by 7 wickets
2023KKR won by 21 runs
2023KKR won by 81 runs
2022RCB won by 3 wickets
2021KKR won by 4 wickets
2021KKR won by 9 wickets
2021RCB won by 38 runs
2020RCB won by 8 wickets
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
KKR's powerplay was the difference
Kolkata Knight Riders reached 66 without loss in the first six overs, well above the Chinnaswamy average of 43. That platform let them accelerate through every phase and post 200/5. RCB, by contrast, lost 3 wickets in their powerplay while scoring 58.
Angle 02
Death overs proved decisive for both sides
Angle 03
CV Varun earned the Player of the Match award
Angle 04
RCB won the toss but it didn't help
Angle 05
KKR hold a significant head-to-head edge
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- At Chinnaswamy, where the average first-innings score across 142 matches is 196, total runs markets may offer more context than outright result lines given how closely batting conditions are understood.
- KKR's powerplay score of 66 without loss exceeded the venue average of 43 by a significant margin. Top-of-innings batter markets tend to carry more interest at venues with consistently high powerplay scoring.
- CV Varun's Player of the Match performance highlights the potential value in bowling performance markets at spin-friendly venues, particularly when middle-overs conditions suit wrist spin.
- With RCB fielding first despite the venue's 55% chase success rate, toss-related markets at Chinnaswamy are historically worth considering given 76% of winning captains choose to field here.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
What was the result of KKR vs RCB on 26 April 2023?
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 21 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. KKR posted 200/5 batting first, and RCB were bowled out for 179/8 in reply.
Who won Player of the Match in KKR vs RCB IPL 2023?
CV Varun was named Player of the Match. The leg-spinner's performance in the middle overs helped restrict RCB's chase and was considered the standout individual contribution of the match.
What is the head-to-head record between KKR and RCB in the IPL?
Kolkata Knight Riders lead the all-time series 20 wins to 15 from 35 IPL meetings with no no-results. KKR won both fixtures between the sides in the 2023 IPL season.
Where to watch KKR vs RCB IPL matches in the UK?
IPL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, available via Sky Go and NOW TV for streaming. Check the Sky Sports schedule for exact UK kick-off times, which typically fall in the early afternoon or early evening depending on the start time in India.
Did RCB win the toss in the 26 April 2023 IPL match?
Yes, Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and chose to field first at Chinnaswamy. The decision aligns with the venue's historical trend, where 76% of toss-winning captains opt to chase. On the night, KKR's total of 200 proved too much.
What were the phase-by-phase scores in KKR vs RCB at Chinnaswamy 2023?
KKR scored 66/0 in the powerplay, 65/2 in the middle overs, and 69/3 at the death to reach 200/5. RCB's chase began 58/3 after six overs, recovered somewhat with 80/3 in the middle phase, but managed only 41/2 in the death overs to finish on 179/8.
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Photo credits (3)
- Rohit Sharma — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source
- Ravichandran Ashwin — photo by Dee03, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Jasprit Bumrah — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source