Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are a professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Kolkata, competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise is owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla, and businessman Jay Mehta. Their home ground is the iconic Eden Gardens.
KKR is one of the most popular and successful teams in the IPL. They won their maiden title in 2012 and secured their second championship in 2014. In 2024, KKR clinched their third IPL title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. The team is also known for its remarkable record of 14 consecutive wins in the IPL. Their motto, “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo,” reflects determination and translates to “We will do, we will fight, we will win.”
History
KKR was established in 2008 when the IPL was launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The franchise was purchased by Red Chillies Entertainment for $75.09 million. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was the team’s first icon player. After a slow start in the initial seasons, KKR reached the playoffs for the first time in 2011 and went on to win IPL titles in 2012, 2014, and 2024.
Home Ground
KKR’s home venue, Eden Gardens, is managed by the Cricket Association of Bengal. The stadium features two ends—the High Court End and the Club House End. Once the largest cricket stadium in India with a capacity exceeding 90,000, it was renovated ahead of the 2011 World Cup, reducing the capacity to around 68,000. The upgrades improved player facilities, infrastructure, and spectator experience.
Team Overview
The team initially featured a logo with a golden helmet on a black background. It later transitioned to its signature purple and gold color scheme. In 2012, KKR introduced its current logo—a purple helmet set within a shield. The team’s jersey was designed by renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Their anthem, “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo Re,” remains a powerful symbol of team spirit and fan energy.
Key Persons
- Owner: Kolkata Knight Riders Sports Private Limited
- Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
- Head Coach: Abhishek Nayar
Current Squad
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad 2026
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | Batter |
| Rinku Singh | Batter |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Batter |
| Manish Pandey | Batter |
| Cameron Green | Batter |
| Finn Allen | WK-Batter |
| Tejasvi Singh | WK-Batter |
| Rahul Tripathi | Batter |
| Tim Seifert | WK-Batter |
| Rovman Powell | Batter |
| Anukul Roy | All-Rounder |
| Sarthak Ranjan | All-Rounder |
| Daksh Kamra | All-Rounder |
| Rachin Ravindra | All-Rounder |
| Ramandeep Singh | All-Rounder |
| Vaibhav Arora | Bowler |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
| Kartik Tyagi | Bowler |
| Prashant Solanki | Bowler |
| Akash Deep | Bowler |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler |
| Umran Malik | Bowler |
| Sunil Narine | Bowler |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Bowler |
Achievements & Records
IPL Championships
| Year | Opponent | Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Chennai Super Kings | Won Final |
| 2014 | Kings XI Punjab | Won Final |
| 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Won Final |
Season Summary
| Year | Matches | Won | Lost | Group Stage | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 6/8 | — |
| 2009 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 8/8 | — |
| 2010 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 6/8 | — |
| 2011 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 4/10 | — |
| 2012 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1/9 | — |
| 2013 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 7/9 | — |
| 2014 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 1/8 | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 4/8 | — |
| 2017 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 3/8 | — |
| 2018 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 3/8 | — |
| 2019 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 5/8 | — |
| 2020 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 5/8 | — |
| 2021 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 2/8 | — |
| 2022 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 7/10 | — |
| 2023 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 7/10 | — |
| 2024 | 16 | 11 | 3 | 1/10 | — |
| 2025 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 8/10 | — |
Popularity
KKR enjoys a massive fan following across India and globally. The presence of Shah Rukh Khan has played a major role in building the franchise’s brand.
Fans are known for their loyalty and energy, especially at Eden Gardens, where matches often turn into grand spectacles. The team is also highly active on social media, consistently ranking among the most followed IPL franchises.