Virat Kohli for RCB [Source: @sujeetsuman1991/x.com]
As the Indian Premier League's 2025 season heats up, cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. Beyond the typical rivalry narratives lies an intriguing statistical anomaly that has persisted throughout IPL history.
The Kohli-CSK Paradox
Despite being one of cricket's most prolific run-scorers, Virat Kohli's encounters with the Chennai franchise have yielded a peculiar pattern. While he consistently accumulates impressive runs against CSK, these performances have remarkably often come in losing causes. This statistical curiosity adds an extra layer of drama to an already charged encounter.
The numbers tell an intriguing story. Kohli holds the dubious distinction of scoring the most runs against any opponent in losing causes, with 667 runs against CSK at a strike rate of 123.29 across 21 innings. This pattern raises fascinating questions about team dynamics and match contexts when these cricketing powerhouses collide.
The Upcoming Showdown: CSK vs RCB
The upcoming encounter at MA Chidambaram Stadium promises to test whether this pattern will continue. RCB's revamped batting lineup, featuring new overseas acquisitions, may finally provide the support Kohli needs to translate his personal success into team victories.
Chennai's tactical approach will be scrutinised as they face an RCB team determined to break the psychological barrier. The match presents a perfect opportunity for Kohli to rewrite this particular narrative that has followed him throughout his IPL career.
Kohli Occupies The Top Two Places For Most Runs In Losing Cause Against A Team In IPL
Player | Runs in Losing Cause | Strike Rate | Team | Opponent | Number of Innings |
Virat Kohli | 667 | 123.29 | RCB | CSK | 21 |
Virat Kohli | 573 | 127.61 | RCB | KKR | 19 |
Sanju Samson | 535 | 146.57 | RR | SRH | 13 |
Dinesh Karthik | 486 | 138.46 | Various | CSK | 20 |
Rohit Sharma | 482 | 136.54 | MI | DC | 17 |
The Ultimate Question Around Kohli
As these two IPL giants prepare to face off once again, the question remains: Will Kohli break the pattern and convert his runs into a victory against CSK, or will Chennai continue their psychological edge over RCB's talisman? Cricket fans across India are eagerly awaiting the answer as these statistical storylines add another dimension to one of IPL's most captivating rivalries.