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Virat Kohli's Playoff Record Is the Secret Weapon RCB Are Hiding From Gujarat Titans
25 May 2026, 4:06 pm
Kohli in Knockouts: A Record That Speaks for Itself
When the IPL reaches its knockout stage, Virat Kohli becomes a different animal. Across his IPL career, Kohli has repeatedly produced his finest performances when the pressure is at its absolute highest. His record in playoff matches is the stuff of legend, with centuries, match-winning fifties, and a quiet determination that makes every bowler uncomfortable. As RCB prepare to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, Kohli's playoff pedigree is the one factor that no analyst can put a number on.
Why Dharamsala Suits Kohli's Game
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is a ground that rewards clean ball-striking and precise timing rather than brute force. Kohli's game is built on exactly those qualities. At high altitude where the ball travels further than usual, his ability to pierce gaps and find the boundary with placement rather than power becomes even more valuable. He does not need to slog. He just needs to bat, and at Dharamsala, that is often enough.
What Gujarat Titans Must Do to Stop Him
Gujarat's bowling attack is genuinely world-class. Rashid Khan has dismissed Kohli in the past, and he will be the key weapon again on Tuesday evening. But Kohli has also played Rashid better than almost any other batter in recent years, using his feet and reading the googly early. GT's pace bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada, will need to build pressure from the first over to prevent Kohli from settling into the kind of rhythm that makes him virtually impossible to remove.
The Moment Is Set for Another Kohli Classic
RCB as defending champions, Qualifier 1 on the line, a packed ground in the mountains, and Virat Kohli with a bat in hand. The ingredients for something special are all there. If Gujarat Titans want to go straight to the final in Ahmedabad, stopping Kohli early is non-negotiable. If they cannot do that, RCB will be in the final before the Eliminator has even been played.
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