Follow UsVirat Kohli and his franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are set to feature in their fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) final. RCB will face off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3 (Tuesday).
Kohli has delivered just one notable performance in the three finals he has played so far, and even that wasn’t enough to secure RCB their maiden IPL title. The Royal Challengers are still chasing their first trophy, and for that to happen, Kohli will need to play a crucial role against PBKS.
He has been in great form in the IPL 2025, having slammed 614 runs across 14 innings at an average of 55.82 and a strike rate of 146.54.
Here, we take a look at Kohli’s performances in his previous three IPL finals:
7 off 8 vs Deccan Chargers in 2009
Kohli was just 20 years old when he played in his first IPL final. Batting at No. 6, he managed only seven runs, as RCB lost to the Deccan Chargers by six runs. Chasing a modest target of 143, RCB were 79/4 in 11.4 overs when Kohli walked in to bat. However, he couldn’t contribute much and was stumped off Andrew Symonds’ bowling.
35 off 32 vs Chennai Super Kings in 2011
Chasing a daunting target of 206 against their arch-rivals CSK, RCB lost both openers—Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle—within the first three overs. Batting at No. 3, Kohli scored 35 runs, but at a strike rate of less than 110, which did little to put pressure on CSK. He was eventually dismissed by Suresh Raina as RCB managed only 147/8 in 20 overs, losing by 58 runs.
54 off 35 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016
Kohli’s best IPL final performance came against SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, but it still wasn’t enough. Chasing 209, Kohli and Gayle gave RCB a blazing start, adding 114 runs in 10.3 overs. Gayle was dismissed after scoring 76 off 38 balls, and RCB stood at 140/1 in 12.4 overs. However, Kohli was bowled by Barinder Sran while attempting a risky shot, and RCB once again fell short of the target.