IPL 2026 Final: Virat Kohli Aims to End Playoff Fifty Drought Against Gujarat Titans
IPL 2026 final: Virat Kohli's last playoff fifty came against SRH in 2016; can he end 10-year drought tonight against GT?
Image: The Economic Times
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, Virat Kohli seeks to end a 10-year drought without a fifty in playoff matches. Despite his impressive season, his last playoff fifty was in 2016. Kohli's performance in finals has been underwhelming, but he enters this match as a top run-scorer with 600 runs this season.
- 01Virat Kohli has not scored a fifty in IPL playoff matches since the 2016 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- 02In 18 IPL playoff matches, Kohli averages 27.43 with only two half-centuries.
- 03Kohli's IPL final record includes 139 runs in four matches, with his only fifty being 54 runs in 2016.
- 04In contrast, Kohli has a strong record in T20 finals, averaging 49.14 with three fifties in eight matches.
- 05Kohli enters the final against Gujarat Titans as the sixth-highest run-scorer of IPL 2026, with 600 runs at an average of 50.00.
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As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up for the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli is under pressure to break a notable drought. Kohli has not scored a fifty in an IPL playoff match since the 2016 final, where he managed 54 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In his playoff career spanning 18 matches, he has only two half-centuries, averaging 27.43 with a strike rate of 124.71. Kohli's performance in IPL finals has also been less than stellar, with just 139 runs across four matches. However, his overall T20 final record is much stronger, indicating that he can perform on big stages. Heading into this final, Kohli has had a remarkable season, accumulating 600 runs at an average of 50.00, including one century and four fifties. The upcoming match presents him with a chance to change the narrative surrounding his playoff performance and potentially lead RCB to victory.
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Kohli's performance can significantly influence RCB's chances of winning the IPL title.
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