KKR have won the IPL title three times. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having claimed the title three times – in 2012, 2014, and 2024.
Over the years, the team has built a reputation for its disciplined spin bowling attack, featuring deadly bowlers like Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy, among others. While their bowling has often taken the spotlight, their batting has played an equally crucial role in their victories. Here’s a look at the top five highest individual scores by KKR batsmen in IPL history.
Five highest individual scores by KKR batsmen in IPL:
5. Quinton de Kock – 97 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2025, Guwahati
Quinton de Kock played a brilliant knock for KKR in their second match of IPL 2025. After a loss in the season opener, the defending champions faced Rajasthan Royals in their second game of the season in Guwahati.
After restricting the hosts to 151 in the first innings, the visitors easily won the match by eight wickets. Opener Quinton de Kock top-scored for KKR with an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls, which included eight fours and six sixes. He was named Player of the Match for his performance.
4. Dinesh Karthik – 97 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2019, Kolkata
Dinesh Karthik played a captain’s innings against Rajasthan Royals in the 43rd match of IPL 2019 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Coming in at No. 4, Karthik led KKR with an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, hitting seven fours and nine sixes. After a few early wickets fell, Karthik added 45 runs with Rinku Singh to help KKR post a total of 175/6. Despite his brilliant knock, KKR lost the game by three wickets with four balls remaining.
3. Venkatesh Iyer – 104 vs Mumbai Indians, 2023, Mumbai
Venkatesh Iyer ended KKR’s 15-year century drought by scoring 104 against Mumbai Indians in the 2023 IPL season.
Batting first, KKR posted a challenging total of 185/6, with Iyer’s 104-run knock coming off 51 balls, which included six fours and nine sixes. Despite his incredible innings, Kolkata lost the match by five wickets with 14 balls to spare.
2. Sunil Narine – 109 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2024, Kolkata
Sunil Narine was in superb form against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 match in Kolkata. Coming off strong performances in recent games, Narine smashed 109 off 56 balls, leading KKR to a massive total of 223 runs.
Narine’s destructive innings featured 13 fours and six sixes. He was well supported by KKR’s middle-order batsmen, who contributed with small but impactful knocks.
However, Narine’s brilliant knock was overshadowed by Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 107 in the second innings, guiding RR to a thrilling last-ball win.
1. Brendon McCullum – 158 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2008, Bangalore
Legendary New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum holds the record for the highest individual score for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL history. What makes this innings even more special is that it came in the inaugural match of the IPL in Bangalore in 2008.
Batting first, McCullum led KKR’s fireworks with an explosive 158* off 73 balls, which included 10 fours and 13 sixes. His scintillating knock powered the team to a huge total of 222/3. KKR comfortably won the game by 140 runs.
