Final result
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 1 runs
Player of the match: AD Russell
Result · Indian Premier League
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Result · Indian Premier League
H2H · KKR 20–15 RCBVenue par · 186Chase success · 53%POTM · AD Russell
Match preview & overview
KKR survive the closest of finishes as RCB fall 1 run short at Eden Gardens
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 1 run at Eden Gardens on 21 April 2024, in one of the closest finishes of the IPL season. KKR posted 222/6 batting first, and RCB came within a single delivery of pulling off a remarkable chase, finishing on 221/10. AD Russell was named Player of the Match. Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had won the toss and elected to field, left Eden Gardens having extended their losing streak to five matches in the 2024 IPL campaign.
The match turned on small margins across all three phases. KKR's powerplay (75 runs, 3 wickets) set an aggressive tone, and consistent contributions through the middle (74 runs, 2 wickets) and death (73 runs, 1 wicket) kept the scoreboard ticking. RCB's reply was competitive throughout: 74 runs in the powerplay, a strong middle phase of 100 runs, but 4 wickets lost in the death for only 47 runs proved decisive.
Pitch report & venue insights
Eden Gardens, Kolkata — 171-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2004–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
171
T20 matches hosted
186
Avg 1st-innings score
170
Avg 2nd-innings score
53%
Chase success rate
44
Avg powerplay runs
60%
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
A margin of 1 run. IPL drama at its sharpest
Kolkata Knight Riders posted 222/6 and Royal Challengers Bangalore reached 221/10 in reply, leaving the match decided by the slimmest margin possible in T20 cricket. RCB needed 2 off the final delivery and could not get them. AD Russell took Player of the Match honours for his contribution in what was a match that had virtually nothing between the two sides.
Angle 02
KKR's powerplay gave them the platform
Angle 03
RCB's middle overs kept the chase alive
Angle 04
RCB's form coming in was a concern
Angle 05
Eden Gardens chased more often than not. But not this time
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- In matches at Eden Gardens where the first innings exceeds 200, the death-overs bowling markets may reflect significant value given the ground's average of 38 death-overs runs across 171 matches. This match saw the defending side hold RCB to 47 in that phase.
- Top batter markets at high-scoring Eden Gardens fixtures have historically been attractive, with the ground's average first-innings score of 186 suggesting batters get a chance to build significant totals.
- Toss markets at Eden Gardens carry some editorial weight: 58% of toss winners choose to field, yet the chase success rate is only 53%, meaning the intuitive toss-and-field strategy does not translate to a win at the same rate.
- In contests between these sides. 35 meetings, KKR leading 20–15. Outright result lines on KKR at their home ground have historically leaned in their favour, though RCB's ability to post 221 in a losing cause shows the markets are rarely straightforward in this fixture.
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
Who won the KKR vs RCB IPL 2024 match on 21 April?
Kolkata Knight Riders won the match by 1 run at Eden Gardens on 21 April 2024. KKR posted 222/6 and Royal Challengers Bangalore were bowled out for 221 in their chase, falling agonisingly short on the final ball.
Who was Player of the Match in KKR vs RCB on 21 April 2024?
AD Russell was named Player of the Match. Russell's contributions with bat and ball were central to KKR's ability to defend a 222-run total by the narrowest possible margin.
What is the head-to-head record between KKR and RCB in the IPL?
Across 35 IPL meetings, Kolkata Knight Riders lead Royal Challengers Bangalore 20–15. KKR had won three of the four matches immediately preceding this fixture, including an 81-run win at Eden Gardens in 2023.
Where to watch KKR vs RCB IPL matches in the UK?
IPL matches are broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket. Streaming is available via Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers. UK viewers should check Sky's schedule for start times, as most IPL fixtures begin in the early afternoon UK time.
What was the toss result and did it matter in this match?
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and chose to field, in line with Eden Gardens' tendency where 58% of toss winners opt to bowl first. The decision did not pay off: KKR batted to 222/6 and RCB fell 1 run short in the chase.
What was RCB's form like going into this match?
Royal Challengers Bangalore arrived at Eden Gardens on a run of four consecutive defeats, having lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants. This result extended that losing streak to five matches in IPL 2024.
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Photo credits (4)
- Andre Russell — photo by The Madras, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Mohammed Shami — photo by NAPARAZZI, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Harbhajan Singh — photo by Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0 · source
- Ishant Sharma — photo by Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source