Virat Kohli in IPL finals: A legacy without a match-winning knock

Virat Kohli in IPL finals: A legacy without a match-winning knock (PTI Photo)

Former captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli and his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play in their fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) final on Sunday, where they lock horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. In the three finals he has been part of so far, Kohli has only produced one standout effort, and even that was insufficient to win RCB their first IPL championship.

As the franchise chase their maiden glory, the Royal Challengers need Kohli to play a match-defining knock against PBKS. With 614 runs at an average of 55.82 and a strike-rate of 146.54 in 14 innings, Kohli has been in outstanding form this season. Kohli is renowned as a big match player and Tuesday is no less than that and he would be itching to bring his franchise the title that has been elusive for the last 17 seasons.

However, as we talk about the future, here's a sneak into history as we detail how the talisman has fared in the previous IPL final appearances...

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2009: 7 off 8 vs Deccan Chargers

When Kohli participated in his first IPL final, he was only 20 years old. He scored 7 while batting at number six as RCB fell to the Deccan Chargers by a margin of six runs. When Kohli walked in to bat, RCB were 79/4 in 11.4 overs, chasing a modest target of 143. He was stumped off Andrew Symonds' bowling.

2011: 35 off 32 vs Chennai Super Kings

Vijay during the IPL 2025 final in 2011" width="378" height="213" /> Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay during the IPL 2025 final in 2011 (AFP Photo)

In the first three overs, RCB lost both openers - Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle - as they were asked to chase a formidable target of 206 against their bitter rivals, CSK. Despite scoring 35 runs while batting at number three, Kohli's strike-rate of less than 110 did little to exert pressure on the opponent. He was eventually removed by Suresh Raina as RCB lost by 58 runs after managing just 147/8 in response.

2016: 54 off 35 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Virat Kohli was dismissed for 54 in IPL 2016 final (AFP Photo)

Even though Kohli's effort against SRH at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was impressive, it was insufficient to power RCB to their first title. Kohli and Gayle gave RCB a strong start by accumulating 114 runs in 10.3 overs while chasing 209. Gayle scored 76 from 38 balls and after 12.4 overs, RCB were at 140/1. But when Kohli tried a daring shot, he was dismissed off Barinder Sran, for 54(35) and RCB missed the mark once more.