Virat Kohli's IPL playoff record: A concern for RCB ahead of Qualifier 1?

The emotions, tears, smiles, satisfaction and the feeling of finally holding the IPL trophy - the scenes of Virat Kohli and the entire Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp after winning the IPL 2025 title are still fresh in the minds of fans.

And now, with another dominant campaign, RCB are back in the playoffs and dreaming of back-to-back titles. With nine wins in 14 matches, 18 points and an impressive net run rate of +0.78, RCB became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

One of the biggest architects behind RCB’s success this season has once again been their talisman Virat Kohli. The former India captain has been in tremendous form throughout the season and the defending champions will hope he carries the same momentum into the playoffs as well.

RCB are set to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The winner of Qualifier 1 will march directly into the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

But there is one statistic that may worry RCB fans. Despite being one of the greatest batters in IPL history, Kohli does not boast a dominating record in the playoff stages of the tournament. Yes, you read that right. In his illustrious IPL career spanning 281 matches, Kohli has played 16 games, in playoffs, for RCB and scored 357 runs at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 121.42. He has registered two half-centuries in playoff matches and also has a duck to his name.

Kohli has been the face of RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008. Signed by the Bengaluru franchise as a youngster, he has remained loyal to the team throughout his IPL journey. After failing to qualify for the playoffsts in the inaugural season in 2008, RCB reached the playoffs for the first time in 2009. They defeated Chennai Super Kings in the semifinal to enter the final, but eventually lost the title clash to Deccan Chargers.

Now, as RCB gear up for another massive playoffst clash against Gujarat Titans, all eyes will once again be on Kohli. Here’s a look at Kohli’s overall IPL numbers and his record in the playoff stage.

Virat Kohli in IPL

TournamentTeamMatInnsNORunsHSAveSR100s50sOVERALL RCB281273439218113*40.07134.39967IPL 2026 RCB14143557105*50.63163.8214IPL 2025 RCB1515365773*54.75144.7108IPL 2024 RCB15153741113*61.75154.6915IPL 2023 RCB14142639101*53.25139.8226IPL 2022 RCB161613417322.73115.9802IPL 2021 RCB1515140572*28.92119.4603IPL 2020 RCB1515446690*42.36121.3503IPL 2019 RCB1414046410033.14141.4612IPL 2018 RCB1414353092*48.18139.1004IPL 2017 RCB101003086430.80122.2204IPL 2016 RCB1616497311381.08152.0347IPL 2015 RCB1616550582*45.90130.8203IPL 2014 RCB141413597327.61122.1002IPL 2013 RCB161626349945.28138.7306IPL 2012 RCB1615236473*28.00111.6502IPL 2011 RCB161645577146.41121.0804IPL 2010 RCB161323075827.90144.8101IPL 2009 RCB161322465022.36112.3201IPL 2008 RCB131211653815.00105.0900

Virat Kohli in IPL playoffs

PlayerTeamplayoffst MatchesRunsAverageStrike Rate50s100s0 Virat Kohli RCB1635725.50121.42201

Virat Kohli in IPL playoffs - all matches

ScoreBF4s6sSRPosDismissalInnsOppositionGroundDate24*1712141.175Not out2CSK Johannesburg23 May 2009781087.506Stumped2Chargers Johannesburg24 May 20099710128.576Caught2MIDY Patil21 Apr 201070*4453159.093Not out1CSK Wankhede24 May 20118120066.663Bowled1MIChennai27 May 2011353211109.373LBW2CSK Chennai28 May 201112180066.662Caught1RRPune20 May 201512911133.332Caught1CSKRanchi22 May 201502000.002Bowled2Guj Lions Bengaluru24 May 2016543552154.282Bowled2SRHBengaluru29 May 2016670085.711Caught1SRH Abu Dhabi6 Nov 2020252420104.161Caught1LSGEden Gardens25 May 2022780187.501Caught1RRAhmedabad27 May 2022332431137.501Caught1RRAhmedabad22 May 2024121220100.002Caught2Punjab KingsNew Chandigarh29 May 2025433530122.852Caught1Punjab KingsAhmedabad3 Jun 2025

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