Virat Kohli’s journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been a defining narrative of the tournament, transforming from a story of perennial underachievers to that of reigning champions. As RCB’s longest-serving player and all-time leading run-scorer, his personal evolution on the biggest stage perfectly mirrors the franchise's dramatic rise to the top of the IPL sphere.
That legacy will face its next major test this Sunday when RCB takes on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the highly anticipated IPL 2026 final. The defending champions have enjoyed an outstanding run throughout the tournament, heavily anchored by Kohli’s stellar form. The veteran maestro has been a vital pillar of the team's campaign, amassing an impressive 600 runs this season and consistently delivering powerful performances to keep his side firing at the right time.
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Virat Kohli's track record against GT
Virat Kohli has been in sensational form against Gujarat Titans (GT) throughout the IPL 2026 campaign. When the two sides first clashed in Bengaluru, he smashed a fantastic 81 off just 44 deliveries, following it up with a quickfire 28 off 13 balls in Ahmedabad. The two teams crossed paths yet again in a high-stakes Qualifier 1, where Kohli stepped up with a crucial, entertaining 43 off 25 balls to help anchor his side. Looking back at his historic relationship with the tournament's biggest stage, Kohli first featured in an IPL final all the way back in 2009 against the Deccan Chargers, where he managed a modest 7 off 8 balls as RCB fell just 6 runs short. He reached the final again in 2011 against Chennai Super Kings, scoring 35 off 32 deliveries in a tough 58-run defeat. His most standout individual effort in a final came in 2016 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where his gritty 54 off 35 balls put RCB in a commanding position, though the team ultimately suffered an 8-run heartbreak.
How has Virat Kohli fared in IPL 2026 finals?
While these earlier performances highlighted Kohli's unique ability to anchor an innings under extreme pressure, the ultimate title glory continually eluded him. That painful wait ended dramatically in 2025 under the leadership of new captain Rajat Patidar. Kohli delivered a foundational, composed 43 off 35 balls in the final against Punjab Kings, guiding RCB to a total of 190/9. The team successfully defended it by 6 runs, securing their maiden IPL title and finally ending a long 18-year drought. Over the course of his illustrious career, Virat Kohli has played in 4 IPL finals. Kohli has featured in four IPL finals so far and has scored 131 runs at an average of 32.75 with his highest score being 54