Virat Kohli's Playoff Record: GT's Secret Weapon

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 first qualifier, the narrative surrounding Virat Kohli has taken an intriguing turn. While Kohli has been in imperious form during the league phase, his record in decisive playoff games remains a cause for concern for his team and a source of quiet optimism for opponents. The batting maestro has accumulated 557 runs this season at an explosive strike rate of 163, yet his 16 playoff innings tell a different story—only 357 runs at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 121.42. He has crossed fifty just twice in these high-pressure games. The trend continued in the 2025 qualifier where he managed 43 runs off 35 deliveries against Punjab Kings. However, Kohli’s dominance against Gujarat Titans in league matches cannot be ignored; he has scored 460 runs in eight innings at an average of 76.66, featuring a century and four fifties. The question now is whether the knockout-stage jinx will persist when RCB meets GT in Dharamshala. The answer could shape the destiny of both franchises this season.