Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders have produced some of the IPL's most heated moments over the years, turning one of the league's oldest
fixtures into a rivalry filled with controversy, aggression and drama.
Ahead of another crucial IPL 2026 clash between the two sides, several past flashpoints continue to define the relationship between the franchises - especially moments involving Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.
Here's a look at the biggest controversies in the history of the KKR vs RCB rivalry.
Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir fight in IPL 2013
The most explosive controversy between the two teams came during IPL 2013 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
After dismissing Virat Kohli cheaply, KKR celebrated aggressively before Kohli appeared to exchange words while walking back. Gautam Gambhir, then KKR captain, immediately confronted Kohli as the argument escalated dramatically in the middle of the field.
The two Delhi cricketers had to be physically separated by teammates and support staff before the altercation turned uglier.
The incident quickly became one of the defining visuals of IPL rivalries and remains among the most replayed confrontations in league history.
Both players were later fined for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.
The controversial Virat Kohli no-ball dismissal in IPL 2024
Another major controversy erupted during the IPL 2024 clash at Eden Gardens involving Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana.
Kohli attempted to attack a dipping full toss from Rana but ended up chipping the ball straight back to the bowler. However, Kohli immediately reviewed the decision, arguing that the delivery should have been called a waist-high no-ball.
The third umpire eventually ruled the delivery legal after ball-tracking suggested the ball would have dipped below waist height had Kohli remained inside his crease instead of advancing down the pitch.
The decision triggered massive debate online.
Kohli reacted angrily while leaving the field and appeared visibly frustrated during exchanges with the umpires. Fans, former players and analysts remained divided for days over whether the delivery should have been declared illegal.
The incident also intensified scrutiny around the IPL's waist-high full toss rule interpretation.
Gambhir's aggressive throw and sledging incident in IPL 2015
The Kohli-Gambhir rivalry resurfaced again during IPL 2015 in another tense KKR vs RCB contest.
During one heated exchange at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gambhir aggressively hurled the ball back towards the non-striker's end where Kohli was standing despite there being little realistic run-out opportunity.
The moment immediately led to a prolonged staredown between the two players alongside visible verbal exchanges.
The match itself was already filled with aggressive sledging and intense body language, adding further fuel to one of the IPL's fiercest player rivalries at the time.
Harshit Rana's celebrations have added fresh edge to rivalry
In recent seasons, Harshit Rana's aggressive send-offs against RCB batters have also added a fresh layer to the rivalry.
His animated celebrations during IPL 2024, particularly involving Kohli's dismissal, drew heavy reactions from fans online and reignited memories of KKR's historically confrontational clashes with Bengaluru.
Combined with Gautam Gambhir's return to the KKR setup in recent years, the emotional edge surrounding the fixture has only grown stronger.
Why RCB vs KKR remains one of IPL's most heated rivalries
While franchises like CSK vs MI dominate the IPL commercially, KKR vs RCB has consistently delivered some of the tournament's most emotionally charged moments.
The rivalry has featured:
- heated player confrontations
- controversial umpiring calls
- animated celebrations
- aggressive captaincy battles
- high-pressure knockout implications
The long-standing tension between personalities like Kohli and Gambhir also helped elevate the fixture beyond just cricketing competition.
Now, with IPL 2026 playoff pressure increasing and both teams chasing crucial points, another chapter could soon be added to this rivalry's controversial history.
