Virat Kohli, the heartbeat of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for over a decade, will once again be under the spotlight as he aims to script history in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings. The seasoned campaigner will be hoping to deliver another high-impact performance in a bid to finally end RCB`s long-standing title drought.
The grand finale, set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, will witness Rajat Patidar`s RCB take on the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings, both franchises seeking their maiden IPL trophy in the league’s 18th edition.
Should Kohli lift the IPL 2025 trophy, he will complete a rare white-ball cricket grand slam. The 36-year-old has already won the ICC U19 World Cup (2008), the ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), the ICC Champions Trophy (2013, 2025), and the ICC T20 World Cup (2024).
Kohli has once again stood tall with the bat in the current IPL season, amassing 614 runs at an impressive average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 146.53. His form has been central to RCB’s campaign, and he will look to carry that momentum into the final. He has previously featured in three IPL finals, scoring 7 in 2009, 35 in 2011, and 54 in the 2016 final, though all ended in defeat for his side.
Kohli’s credentials in T20 finals extend beyond the IPL. Representing India, he has delivered under pressure with notable knocks such as 77 against Sri Lanka in the 2014 T20 World Cup final, 41* in the 2016 Asia Cup final versus Bangladesh, and 76 in the recent T20 World Cup 2024 final. In total, Kohli has played seven T20 finals, compiling 301 runs at a remarkable average of 50.16, including three half-centuries.
In one-day internationals, Kohli has appeared in seven major finals. These include the 2008 U19 World Cup (19 vs South Africa), 2010 Asia Cup (28 vs Sri Lanka), 2011 World Cup (35 vs Sri Lanka), 2013 Champions Trophy (43 vs England), 2017 Champions Trophy (5 vs Pakistan), 2023 World Cup (54 vs Australia), and the 2025 Champions Trophy (1 vs New Zealand). Across these, he has accumulated 486 runs at an average of 37.38, with a top score of 77.
In the Test arena, Kohli featured in both World Test Championship finals, scoring 44 and 13 in 2021, and 14 and 49 in 2023, though India fell short on both occasions.
In all, Kohli has played 16 finals across formats, scoring 606 runs at an average of 35.64. As he steps into another high-stakes match, RCB’s talisman hopes to finally add the elusive IPL crown to his illustrious legacy.
