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Virat Kohli stands on the brink of fulfilling a long-cherished dream of lifting the IPL trophy. As the playoffs begin on Thursday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalwart will be desperate to erase the heartbreak of losing the 2016 final as captain, and finally script a fairytale ending to his IPL journey.
RCB, who secured a thrilling victory over Lucknow Super Giants by chasing down a mammoth 228-run target, clinched the second spot on the points table and will now take on table-toppers Punjab Kings in the first qualifier on Thursday in Mullanpur. The winner of that clash will earn a direct berth in the grand finale scheduled for June 3 in Ahmedabad. However, a loss would not spell immediate doom, as the losing side will still have a second shot at making the final, facing the winner of the eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.
While Punjab Kings have reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014, it is RCB’s first top-two finish since 2016. Remarkably, neither team has ever won the IPL title, adding an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming battle.
Solid record, but the past doesn’t play the next ball. Eyes on tonight. 👀💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/ShELvDzNAF
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 29, 2025
Despite his glittering IPL record, Kohli’s performances in knockout matches have not quite mirrored his league-stage dominance. From 2008 to 2024, he has featured in 15 IPL playoff games, accumulating just 341 runs with only two half-centuries. However, the 2024 season may be a turning point. With 602 runs under his belt, including eight fifties, and an imposing average of 60.20, Kohli appears to be in vintage touch. His composed 54 against Lucknow was instrumental in securing RCB’s playoff spot and showcased his steely resolve.
Kohli remains the highest run-scorer in IPL history and is the only cricketer to represent a single franchise, RCB, for all 18 seasons since the league’s inception in 2008. Despite reaching the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, RCB have fallen short each time. Fans are hoping that 2024 might finally break the curse. Adding to the symbolism, Kohli wears the number 18 jersey that many now see as a lucky omen for the franchise’s 18th season.
RCB’s playoff appearances have come in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Out of these, they reached the final thrice but failed to cross the final hurdle. Now, with Kohli in peak form and a strong squad backing him, Bengaluru may never have a better chance to seize the elusive crown.
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