The intensity of the IPL playoffs is set to electrify cricket fans, with the first Qualifier match kicking off on May 29th between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. As teams battle for a spot in the final, the spotlight inevitably turns to individual performances, especially those under high-pressure scenarios. While many dream of playoff glory, the historical data reveals a fascinating dynamic among the league’s top batsmen. This year, all eyes will be on how current captains like Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill fare in this crucial stage, and whether Virat Kohli can finally break his playoff jinx.

Historically, the undisputed king of IPL playoffs has been Suresh Raina, who amassed a staggering 714 runs across 24 matches with an impressive strike rate of 155.21. Following him closely is the legendary MS Dhoni, the highest-scoring captain in playoff history, with 523 runs from 23 matches at a strike rate of 132. Shubman Gill, despite playing only 10 innings, has quickly ascended to third place with 474 runs at a strike rate exceeding 145, showcasing his remarkable consistency in crucial games. However, a surprising revelation from the statistics is Virat Kohli’s struggle in playoff matches. With a mere 341 runs from 15 innings at a strike rate of just 121.78 and an average below 30, his playoff record stands in stark contrast to his usual prolific scoring. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, boasts a respectable 214 runs from 9 matches with an impressive average of 42.80, remaining unbeaten four times, indicating his composure under pressure. As the playoffs commence, the stage is set for new heroes to emerge and existing records to be challenged.