'King' Kohli to 'Baby AB': Hits and misses of IPL 2022

Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all that remain standing from the 10 teams who embarked on a marathon season of 70 matches two months ago. Ahead of Tuesday's first playoff match when Gujarat Titans face Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata, AFP Sport highlights five players who grabbed the headlines this season in the world's most valuable cricket tournament: Virat KohliThe superstar's batting slump has been a constant talking point during the season as Kohli suffered three uncharacteristic 'golden ducks' -- out on the first ball of his innings. But 'King' Kohli bounced back just in time for his team's final league game with a match-winning 73 off 54 balls that helped the team make the top four.

Kohli, 33, has endured a torrid 12 months that saw him replaced as Indian captain, give up the Bangalore armband and fail to score a century in more than 100 matches in all formats. Now he and Bangalore stand just three wins from a maiden IPL title and play Lucknow in an eliminator on Wednesday. "I'm actually in the happiest phase of my life.

I am not finding any self-worth or value in what I do in the field. I'm way past that phase. This is a phase of evolution for me," Kohli said.

Jos ButtlerThe England batsman has bossed this IPL with three centuries to help Rajasthan finish second in the table, awaiting table-toppers Gujarat in the first qualifier on Tuesday. Buttler has been a smiling assassin, stroking 629 runs in 14 matches -- the most of any player -- while smashing 37 sixes at a strike-rate of 146.96. Buttler has received praise from his rivals with Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer hailing the skill of the Englishman after he scored 103 against his team last