Virat Kohli for RCB [Source: AFP]
Virat Kohli has been one of the cornerstones of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the inception of the franchise, and with the RCB vs GT clash in IPL 2026, the Indian maestro has made yet another record as a legend of the game.
Virat Kohli has been one of the most senior players in the premier domestic tournament, and has also represented the franchise in 11 IPL playoffs over the years, since 2008. As he steps onto the 19th edition, he now boasts a new record where he sits alongside MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and other legends for the RCB vs GT Qualifier 1.
Virat Kohli’s Legacy In IPL
Kohli has had multiple records to his name and has also broken many during his long journey in the domestic league, as his legacy goes on. The Indian veterans have amassed a total of 9218 runs in IPL, the highest ever by any player.
In overall IPL, he also has the most number of fifties to his name, which is 76. Only David Warner trails him, and among active players, KL Rahul is the second-highest in that tally with 51 half-centuries to his name.
This already speaks of the legacy that Kohli has built, and one that he wishes to add on to. Piling on further acts of class, Kohli has now become one of the rarest players to have played the most number of matches in IPL Playoffs with the RCB vs GT game on May 26.
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Virat Kohli In The List Of Most matches in IPL Playoffs
With the Qualifier 1 match, Kohli now joins an elite list where he has played 18 IPL Playoffs in the league while sitting alongside Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard.
Most matches in IPL Playoffs:
- 28 - MS Dhoni
- 24 - Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina
- 23 - Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja
- 19 - Dwayne Bravo
- 18 - Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Kieron Pollard, Virat Kohli
Interestingly, MS Dhoni, the former Chennai Super Kings skipper who led the team for five IPL titles have played the most number of Playoff matches, which accounts for 28, including all Qualifiers, Eliminators and Finals as well.
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How Has Kohli Performed In The IPL Playoffs?
Kohli’s performance in the IPL Finals has been satisfying. The star cricketer has featured in 4 IPL Finals for the franchise and has averaged 34.75 while having a modest strike rate of 126.36.
In Eliminators, though, Kohli has a poor track record, where he struggled with the bat. He has averaged only 23.00 from 5 eliminators and also has a poor strike rate of 108.49, which often costs the team their win.
Nevertheless, Virat Kohli has been the pillar for RCB and will continue to be as he has fired in the IPL 2026 season as well with an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 162.03 from 14 appearances.
Follow RCB vs GT Live Updates for the latest IPL 2026 scorecard for Qualifer 1


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