Virat Kohli will be the cynosure of all eyes and the centre of attention when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 playoffs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday.

Kohli, 36, is one of the key batters of RCB’s unit and has tons of experience under his belt. He has also experienced several heartbreaks with the franchise and featured in three IPL finals — all of which ended in defeat for RCB. Ever since the playoff system was adopted, Kohli has helped Bengaluru reach the final in 2011 and 2016, both times after winning Qualifier 1.

However, his overall record in IPL playoff matches does not paint a lofty picture and that will be a cause of concern for the Bengaluru-based franchise. In 15 playoff appearances, Kohli has scored 341 runs at an average of 26.23 with a strike rate of 121.78. He has registered only two fifties in these knockout clashes, underlining a relatively modest return by his lofty standards.

While Kohli's playoff performances have been under par, his form this season has been exceptional. Despite retiring from T20 internationals, he has managed to maintain his elite standards with the willow and piled up 602 runs in 13 matches so far. His average reads 60.20, and the strike rate is an impressive 147.91. It is also the fifth season in which he has surpassed 600 runs. In IPL 2025 , Kohli has also struck eight half-centuries, and most of them have remarkably come away in fixtures.

With momentum behind him and a place in the IPL 2025 final at stake, Kohli will be eager to rewrite his playoff narrative and show the world his true mettle during Thursday’s high-pressure battle against Punjab Kings.

Matches: 15

Runs: 341

Average: 26.23

Best Score: 70*

Strike Rate: 121.78

Fifties (50s): 2

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