Will Virat end his 10-year IPL knockout stage fifty drought in final vs GT?
Ahmedabad, May 31
Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting icon Virat Kohli will have his task cut out, to improve on a modest Indian Premier League final record as his side looks to go back-to-back title wins against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Virat is one of the greatest cricketers limited-overs cricket has ever seen, but is yet to replicate the same excellence in the IPL finals.
In four IPL final appearances, Virat has made just 139 runs at an average of 34.75 and a strike rate of over 126, with just one fifty, a knock of 54 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2016 final, which also happens to be his last IPL playoff fifty.
In 18 IPL playoff matches appearances, Virat has scored just 439 runs at an average of 27.43 and a strike rate of 124.71, with two fifties and a best score of 70*.
In T20 finals, Virat has scored 344 runs in eight appearances at an average of 49.14 and a strike rate of over 125, with three fifties and a best score of 77.
This season, Virat has been the sixth-highest run-getter with 600 runs at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 164.38, including a century and four fifties and a best score of 105*.
Squads:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Jordan Cox, Philip Salt, Richard Gleeson, Swapnil Singh, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal
Gujarat Titans Squad: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Luke Wood, Connor Esterhuizen, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Ashok Sharma.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, stats don't lie. 10 years without a playoff fifty is concerning for someone of his caliber. Pressure gets to him in big games. But he's due for a big one - finals against GT could be redemption time! 🤞
As an RCB fan since day 1, I've seen this movie before. Virat scores runs in league stages but goes missing in playoffs. Hope this time it's different. The GT bowling attack is world-class though - Rashid, Rabada, Prasidh... tough ask. 🫡
Can't believe it's been 10 years since that 2016 fifty in the final! 😱 Virat is a legend but this drought is puzzling even for his biggest fans. Want to see that hunger and passion convert into a match-winning knock in the final. RCB needs you, King! 👑
Respectful criticism: Virat gets too hyped for finals. Needs to stay calm and play his natural game instead of trying to dominate from ball one. That GT spin attack (Washington Sundar, Rashid, Sai Kishore) will test his patience. One anchor innings please, not the hero ball! 😅
Actually excited for this final! Virat vs Shubman - generational talent battle. Also glad to see Devdutt Padikkal back in the squad. One thing's for sure, if Virat breaks this drought, Ahmedabad will witness fireworks! 🎆
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