Virat Kohli is on the brink of finally capturing the elusive Indian Premier League (IPL) title as the playoffs kick off this week.

Nine years after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a heartbreaking final defeat as captain, the legendary batter is eager to rewrite his IPL legacy.

RCB will take on top-seeded Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Thursday, after clinching second place with a stunning chase of 228 runs to beat Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. The winner of Thursday’s clash will book a direct ticket to the final in Ahmedabad on 3 June.

Even in defeat, Bengaluru will still have a shot at the title. The loser of Thursday’s qualifier gets another chance against the winner of Friday’s eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.

At 36, Kohli has stepped away from Test and T20 international cricket, following a triumphant run with India in the 2023 World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy. But the IPL trophy—still missing from his cabinet—remains his burning ambition.

“I had two heartbreaks in 2016,” Kohli told India’s media. “First the World T20, then the IPL final.”

Affectionately dubbed “King Kohli,” he is the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer and the only player to remain with a single franchise—RCB—for all 18 seasons since the league began in 2008. Kohli has experienced final defeats in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but fans hope that the number on his jersey—18—will bring luck in RCB’s 18th season.

He has been in vintage form this year, scoring 602 runs at an average of 60.20, including eight half-centuries. His 54-run knock on Tuesday laid the foundation for RCB’s playoff berth.

Hazelwood returns, international absences loom

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the RCB squad and is expected to play Thursday after returning from a shoulder issue. He had previously departed when the IPL paused on 9 May due to regional tensions.

Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will miss left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who has joined South Africa’s camp ahead of their World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s on 11 June.

“We’re missing players like everyone else,” said Punjab coach Ricky Ponting. “But we believe we have the depth to step up despite Marco being a big loss.”

Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions now captained by Hardik Pandya, are the most depleted squad, missing England’s Will Jacks and South African duo Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch ahead of their eliminator clash.

Gujarat Titans, champions in their 2022 debut season, boast a fearsome batting order even without Jos Buttler. Captain Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan are the top two on this season’s batting charts, with 679 and 649 runs respectively.

Gill will take charge of India for the first time when they embark on a five-Test tour of England, starting at Headingley, Leeds, on 20 June.