Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 season will see Royal Challengers Bangalore face off against Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala on May 26. The focus will undoubtedly be on Virat Kohli, as RCB hopes he can deliver a match-winning performance as he has done many times before.
Kohli has had a successful season with the bat, surpassing 500 runs for the ninth time. However, his performance in the Playoffs has been below par compared to his usual standards. In 15 Playoff innings, he has only managed to score 363 runs with a modest average of 25.92 and a strike rate of 119.80.
Last year, in the Playoffs where RCB participated in Qualifier 1 and the Final, Kohli scored a slow 12 off 12 balls in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings and a 43 off 35 balls in the final against the same team.
Despite his lackluster Playoff record, Kohli remains a key player for RCB, and the team will be banking on him to come good in the crucial Qualifier 1 match against Gujarat Titans. With his experience and skill, Kohli has the potential to turn the tide in RCB’s favor and lead them to the summit clash of the IPL 2026 season.
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