Virat Kohli Aims for IPL Glory as RCB Prepares for Qualifier 1
Virat Kohli's Quest for IPL Success
Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is just two wins away from clinching his first IPL title. RCB is set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the first qualifier on Thursday, May 29. Kohli has been in remarkable form this season, amassing 602 runs across 13 matches, boasting an impressive average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 147.91, including eight half-centuries.
Concerns Over Kohli's Playoff History
Despite his stellar performance this year, there is a notable concern regarding Kohli's playoff history. In 15 playoff matches, he has scored only 341 runs, averaging 26.23 with a strike rate of 121.78. He has managed just two fifties in these games, the last of which was in the 2016 final.
Kohli's Playoff Performance Breakdown
Virat Kohli's Performance in IPL Playoffs
Eliminator Matches
| Runs | Against | Venue | Year |
| 12 | RR | Pune | 2015 |
| 6 | SRH | Abu Dhabi | 2020 |
| 39 | KKR | Sharjah | 2021 |
| 25 | LSG | Eden Gardens | 2022 |
| 33 | RR | Ahmedabad | 2024 |
Qualifier Matches
| Runs | Against | Match | Venue | Year |
| 70* | CSK | 1st Qualifier | Wankhede | 2011 |
| 8 | MI | 2nd Qualifier | Chennai | 2011 |
| 12 | CSK | 2nd Qualifier | Ranchi | 2015 |
| 0 | GL | 1st Qualifier | Bengaluru | 2016 |
| 7 | RR | 2nd Qualifier | Ahmedabad | 2022 |
Semi-Final Performance (Before 2011)
| Runs | Against | Match | Venue | Year |
| 24* | CSK | 2nd Semi-Final | Johannesburg | 2009 |
| 9 | MI | 1st Semi-Final | DY Patil | 2010 |
Final Matches
| Runs | Against | Venue | Year |
| 7 | DC (Deccan Chargers) | Johannesburg | 2009 |
| 35 | CSK | Chennai | 2011 |
| 54 | SRH | Bengaluru | 2016 |
Kohli's Recent Big Match Performances
For RCB to reach the finals for the first time in nine years, Kohli must deliver a significant performance. Fortunately, he has demonstrated his ability to excel in high-pressure situations recently. In the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, he achieved his 50th century against New Zealand, followed by a solid 55 runs in the final against Australia. Additionally, during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, he was named Player of the Match for scoring 76 runs against South Africa, and in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final, he contributed 84 runs to help India overcome Australia.
Given these impressive performances in crucial matches, RCB is hopeful that Kohli will once again step up and guide them towards their long-awaited IPL victory.