With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to take on Punjab Kings in the cutthroat IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, everyone’s gaze will naturally fall on one man – Virat Kohli. At 36, Kohli is still the heart of RCB, the embodiment of passion, consistency, and irrepressible faith, particularly in the aftermath of playoff disappointments.
A Legacy Built on Grit
In the years that have gone by, Kohli has been a part of some of RCB’s most memorable but heartbreaking moments. He has played three IPL finals for the franchise – 2009, 2011, and 2016 – only to come short every time. With the advent of the IPL playoffs system, Kohli and RCB reached the final twice – 2011 and 2016 – both of which after they had won their respective Qualifier 1 matches. Their playoff run has been a combination of high expectation and dismal departures.
Red-Hot Form in IPL 2025
Kohli might have quit T20 internationals after winning the T20 World Cup in the Americas last year, but his bat is still doing the talking. During the current IPL 2025 season, he has been in red-hot form, never out of the top five contenders for the Orange Cap. With 602 runs from 13 games at a whopping average of 60.20 and a strike rate of 147.91, Kohli has once again proved his worth at the top of the order.
This is the fifth IPL season when the league’s all-time record highest run-getter has gone past the 600-run mark, having done it earlier in 2013, 2016, 2023, and 2024. What’s more, he has also scored eight half-centuries in this year – his career best since his 2008 debut – short of his record-breaking 2016 season, where he had four centuries and seven fifties.
Roadblock at the Playoffs?
However, if there’s one area where Kohli’s dominance hasn’t fully translated, it’s the IPL Playoffs. In 15 appearances in playoff matches, Kohli has scored 341 runs at a modest average of 26.23 and a strike rate of 121.78. He has only managed to cross the fifty-run mark twice in those games – a stat that starkly contrasts with his otherwise prolific numbers in the tournament.
But what sets Kohli apart is his grit. He has been RCB’s pillar of strength, particularly in away games this season, hitting a half-century in each away match – a reflection of his flexibility and mental resilience.
Kohli’s Stats In Playoffs
| Matches | Runs | Average | Best Score | Strike Rate | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 341 | 26.23 | 70* | 121.78 | 2 |
All Eyes on Thursday
As RCB and PBKS set themselves a gargantuan battle, Kohli will be at the heart of RCB’s aspirations to shatter their title curse. For the fans and critics, this is always the question: Can Virat Kohli finally translate his scorching form in the red-leathered fray into playoff triumph and secure the coveted IPL crown for RCB?
Also Read: IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: PBKS Ends 11-Year Wait, RCB Eyes End To Title Drought In Clash For Glory!
