Bowlers with Most Wickets Against KKR in IPL: Trouble for KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders have regularly fielded powerful batting lineups throughout IPL history. From Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan to Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer and the franchise’s newer attacking batters, KKR have often tried to put bowlers under pressure from the first few overs.

A select group of bowlers, however, have consistently found ways to break through Kolkata’s batting. Some have succeeded with swing during the Powerplay, while others have used spin, slower deliveries and high-quality death bowling to stop KKR from building the partnerships their batting depends on.

Through the completed 2026 season, Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar jointly hold the record for the most IPL wickets against KKR with 33 each. Bhuvneshwar drew level with Chahal during the 2026 season when he dismissed Finn Allen while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja follow with 25 wickets each, while Ravichandran Ashwin has 24.

Bowlers with Most Wickets Against KKR in IPL

The top of the leaderboard contains very different types of bowlers. Chahal has attacked KKR with leg-spin, Bhuvneshwar has relied heavily on swing and new-ball accuracy, while Bumrah’s pace and death bowling have produced some of the most destructive individual spells in the rivalry. Historical opposition figures also show how economical Malinga and Jadeja were despite bowling to powerful Kolkata batting units.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal – 33 Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has taken 33 IPL wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders, putting him level at the top of the all-time list.

His record against KKR has been built across spells with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. Through his first 23 matches against Kolkata, Chahal had already taken 33 wickets at an average of 20.75 and an economy of 7.96.

The defining performance came in 2022.

Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Chahal took 5/40 against KKR and completed a hat-trick during a dramatic 17th over. He removed Venkatesh Iyer earlier in the innings before dismissing Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Mavi and Pat Cummins during the decisive late collapse.

The spell changed a match Kolkata appeared capable of winning.

Chahal added another remarkable chapter against KKR in 2025 while playing for Punjab Kings. PBKS had been dismissed for only 111, the lowest total successfully defended in IPL history. Kolkata reached 62/2 and appeared in complete control before Chahal took four wickets and helped bowl them out for 95.

Few bowlers have hurt KKR more decisively in pressure situations.

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 33 Wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar joined Chahal at the top during IPL 2026.

The experienced seamer claimed his 33rd wicket against KKR when he dismissed Finn Allen during RCB’s match against Kolkata in Raipur. He reached the landmark in his 31st match against the franchise.

Bhuvneshwar’s success has been spread across a very long period.

He first troubled KKR while representing Pune Warriors before becoming a central part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack. Later, he continued his success after joining RCB.

His method has remained remarkably consistent.

With the new ball, Bhuvneshwar can swing deliveries both ways and force openers to play before they have fully adjusted to the pitch. At the death, his yorker and slower ball make him difficult to attack cleanly.

Before the 2026 season, Bhuvneshwar already had 32 wickets against KKR, and he had long been one of the most successful bowlers against the franchise.

His best figures against Kolkata are 3/19, showing that his record is based more on repeated success than one huge five-wicket performance.

3. Jasprit Bumrah – 25 Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah has taken 25 wickets in 19 IPL matches against KKR, with an economy rate below eight.

His record includes one of the greatest bowling performances Kolkata have ever faced: 5/10 in 2022.

Mumbai Indians brought Bumrah back into the attack when KKR were well placed at 123/2.

He changed the innings completely.

Bumrah dismissed Andre Russell and Nitish Rana before producing a three-wicket maiden that removed Sheldon Jackson, Pat Cummins and Sunil Narine.

He finished with 5/10 from four overs and bowled 18 dot balls. KKR went from a position where 190 looked possible to 165/9.

Ironically, Mumbai still lost the match by 52 runs after KKR’s bowlers responded superbly.

Even so, Bumrah’s spell remains the best bowling figures ever recorded against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

His combination of yorkers, short balls and hard lengths has repeatedly troubled KKR across different batting eras.

4. Ravindra Jadeja – 25 Wickets

Ravindra Jadeja has also taken 25 wickets against KKR, placing him level with Bumrah.

The left-arm spinner has played many more matches in the rivalry, but his economy of around 7.50 demonstrates how effectively he has controlled Kolkata’s middle order.

Jadeja’s greatest strength against KKR is his speed through the air.

He rarely allows batters enough time to advance down the pitch. Instead, he attacks the stumps, changes his angle subtly and forces batters to create their own power.

His best figures against Kolkata are 4/12.

The matchup has often suited Jadeja because KKR have fielded several right-handed middle-order batters who prefer pace on the ball. Jadeja’s flatter trajectory takes that pace away while also bringing bowled and lbw dismissals into play.

Unlike Chahal, who often searches aggressively for turn, Jadeja creates pressure through dot balls and then uses that pressure to force attacking shots.

His longevity against KKR also matters. He has faced the franchise while representing different teams and through several generations of Kolkata batting.

5. Ravichandran Ashwin – 24 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 24 IPL wickets against KKR, placing him just behind Bumrah and Jadeja.

His best figures in the matchup were 3/16.

Ashwin’s success came through tactical variety.

He frequently changed his release point, pace and line rather than repeating one stock off-break. He was also comfortable bowling in the Powerplay, where spinners usually receive little protection from the field.

That flexibility allowed captains to use Ashwin against KKR’s openers or save him for dangerous middle-order matchups.

He faced Kolkata while playing for Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, meaning he encountered almost every major version of KKR’s batting lineup.

Although Ashwin never produced a five-for against Kolkata, 24 wickets over such a long career illustrate his consistency.

Best Bowling Figures Against KKR in IPL

Jasprit Bumrah’s 5/10 remains the best IPL bowling figures against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Bumrah’s spell stands apart because he conceded only 10 runs while taking five wickets. His triple-wicket maiden during KKR’s death overs remains one of the finest overs bowled in IPL history.

Chahal’s 5/40 was more expensive, but its match impact was enormous because it included a hat-trick and came while KKR were threatening a successful chase.

Karn Sharma’s 4/16 also carries special significance because it came in Qualifier 2 in 2017, when Mumbai Indians bowled KKR out for only 107 on the way to the final.

Famous Bowling Spells Against KKR

Bumrah’s 5/10 in 2022

KKR had built a strong platform before Bumrah returned.

His spell transformed 123/2 into a far less imposing 165/9.

The wickets of Russell and Rana removed the two batters most capable of finishing the innings, while his three-wicket maiden destroyed the lower order.

It remains the statistical benchmark for bowling against Kolkata.

Chahal’s 5/40 and Hat-Trick

Chahal’s spell against KKR in 2022 was one of the most dramatic performances by a spinner in IPL history.

Kolkata were chasing 218 and remained in the contest until Chahal changed the match with four wickets in one over, including a hat-trick.

The spell combined tactical courage with execution. Even while conceding boundaries, Chahal continued attacking wickets rather than switching to defensive bowling.

Karn Sharma’s 4/16 in Qualifier 2

Karn Sharma delivered his best performance of the season when Mumbai needed it most in 2017.

KKR were bowled out for only 107 in Qualifier 2, with Karn taking 4/16.

The performance equalled the best figures by a spinner in an IPL knockout match at the time and helped MI reach the final. Mumbai later won the championship.

Chahal’s 4-Wicket Rescue in 2025

Punjab Kings’ defence of 111 looked almost impossible once KKR reached 62/2.

Chahal changed everything.

His four wickets triggered a spectacular collapse and Punjab dismissed Kolkata for 95. The victory set the IPL record for the lowest total successfully defended.

Mohsin Khan’s 2026 Five-Wicket Burst

Lucknow Super Giants’ Mohsin Khan produced another major spell against KKR in 2026, taking a five-wicket haul that ripped through Kolkata’s top order.

KKR still managed to reach 155 thanks largely to Rinku Singh and eventually won the match in a Super Over, meaning another exceptional individual bowling performance against Kolkata ended in defeat.

Impact of Bowling on KKR’s Batting

KKR’s batting has often been built around aggression.

During Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy era, the strategy depended more heavily on strong opening partnerships and middle-order control. In the Russell-Narine era, the franchise increasingly embraced explosive scoring and deep hitting.

Both approaches create opportunities for wicket-taking bowlers.

Aggressive batters naturally take risks, and bowlers such as Chahal have succeeded by continuing to attack rather than simply trying to contain boundaries.

Powerplay bowling is equally important.

Bhuvneshwar’s record shows how valuable early wickets are against KKR. Removing an opener can force Kolkata’s middle order to rebuild instead of immediately attacking spin.

Death bowling has also been decisive.

Bumrah’s 5/10 demonstrated what can happen when KKR enter the final overs with attacking intent but lose two established batters quickly.

Spin remains particularly important because Eden Gardens has often offered grip while still rewarding aggressive strokeplay. Bowlers who can change pace without losing accuracy have repeatedly been effective there.

The strongest bowling performances against KKR share one feature: they take wickets in clusters.

One dismissal rarely stops a powerful T20 lineup. Two or three wickets in the same phase can completely change the innings.

FAQs

Which bowler has taken the most wickets against KKR in IPL history?

Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar jointly lead the list with 33 wickets each against Kolkata Knight Riders through IPL 2026.

How many wickets has Jasprit Bumrah taken against KKR?

Bumrah has taken 25 wickets in 19 IPL matches against Kolkata, with best figures of 5/10.

Who has the best bowling figures against KKR?

Jasprit Bumrah holds the record with 5/10 for Mumbai Indians against KKR in 2022.

Which spinner has taken the most wickets against KKR?

Yuzvendra Chahal leads all spinners with 33 wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Which bowler took a hat-trick against KKR in 2022?

Yuzvendra Chahal completed a hat-trick during his 5/40 for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.

What are Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s best figures against KKR?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s best IPL figures against Kolkata are 3/19. He has taken 33 wickets against the franchise overall.