As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) march into the IPL 2025 final, one name stands tall at the center of their success story: Virat Kohli. The talismanic batter has delivered a season to remember, blending consistency, aggression, and match-winning brilliance to propel his team to the brink of a long-awaited maiden title.
Throughout the season, Kohli has been nothing short of spectacular. In 14 matches, he has amassed 614 runs at a staggering average of 55.82, paired with a strike rate of 146.54 — numbers that underline both his reliability and intent. Remarkably, he has notched up eight half-centuries this season, making him one of the most consistent performers in the tournament across all teams.
What makes Kohli’s impact even more striking is the direct correlation between his runs and RCB’s fortunes. In every match where Kohli crossed the 50-run mark, RCB emerged victorious. It’s a clear sign that when the King fires, the challengers rise. His early aggression in the powerplay, combined with calculated acceleration in the middle overs, has laid the platform for RCB’s power-hitters like Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis to launch in the death overs.
This season isn’t the first time Kohli has crossed the 600-run milestone — it’s actually the fifth. He previously did so in 2013 (634 runs), 2016 (an unforgettable 973 runs, still the highest in IPL history), 2023 (639 runs), and 2024 (741 runs). His 2025 run haul not only cements his place among the greats of the league but also reinforces that age has not dulled his hunger or intensity.
Kohli’s performances have been more than just statistical feats. His leadership on the field, even after stepping down from captaincy, continues to inspire the dressing room. Younger players look up to his professionalism, preparation, and sheer commitment. His iconic moments — from fiercely celebrating fifties with his trademark roar to rallying the Bengaluru crowd with a raised bat — have energized fans and teammates alike.
His record at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the venue for the IPL 2025 final, adds another layer of optimism for RCB fans. In six IPL innings there, Kohli has scored 219 runs at an average of 54.75, with a highest score of 70*. This ground seems to bring the best out of him, and with the stakes at their highest, many believe Kohli is primed for one more iconic knock.
Beyond the numbers and milestones, this final holds personal significance for Kohli. Despite his immense IPL legacy — as the tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer and a global cricket icon — one glaring gap remains in his glittering resume: an IPL title. Having reached finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016 only to fall short, Kohli now has a golden chance to break the jinx and lift the trophy that has long eluded both him and RCB.
As the cricketing world tunes in for the showdown against Punjab Kings, all eyes will be on Kohli. Can the King deliver under pressure once again? Will this be the year he finally hoists the IPL trophy, completing a story of loyalty, passion, and unrelenting pursuit?
One thing is certain: Virat Kohli has already left his mark on IPL 2025. Whether or not RCB clinch the title, his extraordinary form has reminded everyone why he remains one of cricket’s greatest modern-day legends.
