Virat Kohli is all set to play an IPL final for the 6th time in his career as RCB locks horns with GT in the ultimate clash of IPL 2026 season. The batting maestro is Bengaluru’s best batter this season, with 600 runs to his name, averaging 50.00. Kohli will be hoping that he can play just one more good knock to guide RCB to their second IPL title after the championship eluded him for the longest time.
Virat’s record in IPL finals
Kohli first featured in an IPL final back in 2009, the 2nd edition of the IPL. A young Virat only managed to score 7 runs off 8 deliveries before he was stumped out by Gilchrist off Andrew Symonds. RCB lost the game, giving Deccan Chargers their first trophy.
It wasn’t too long before Virat featured in yet another IPL final, as it came just a season later. In 2011, RCB locked horns with CSK in the ultimate clash. Batting at number 3, Kohli managed to score 35 runs off 32 deliveries before he was trapped for a LBW by Suresh Raina. Again, RCB – who were chasing in the contest – lost to CSK by 58 runs.
His second-last appearance in an IPL final came in the very year that was his best-ever IPL season. Kohli, who was in red-hot form in that season, finished with 973 runs to his name. In the final against SRH, he went berserk while opening with Chis Gayle in the run-chase. After scoring 54 off 35 deliveries, he was cleaned up by Barinder Sran. Eventually, RCB lost the match by 8 runs.
| Year | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 87.50 |
| 2011 | 35 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 109.37 |
| 2016 | 54 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 154.28 |
| 2025 | 43 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 133.33 |
Kohli’s last IPL final match saw him hammer 43, which was the highest score for RCB. While it wasn’t a fast knock, it allowed RCB not to lose quick wickets early. RCB went on to make 190 against Punjab before winning the encounter by 6 runs.
| Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 139 | 54 | 34.75 | 110 | 126.36 | 1 | 10 | 3 |
Overall, Virat Kohli has managed to score 139 runs in four IPL finals and averages 34.7. His strike rate is 126 in the 110 balls that he has faced in these games.
Having already scored four half-centuries this season, Kohli will be eyeing adding one more to the list in the game against GT and hopefully allow RCB to be only the third team ever to defend an IPL crown.
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