Virat Kohli added another historic chapter to his glittering career, becoming the first player to breach the 9000-run mark in the Indian Premier League.
The milestone came during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 27.
Kohli needed just 11 runs to get there and reached the landmark with a calm single off Axar Patel in the final over of the powerplay. The feat widens his lead at the top of the all-time run charts, with Rohit Sharma still a distant second.
Across 275 IPL matches, Kohli now has 9012 runs at an average of 40.05 and a strike rate of 133.80, including eight centuries and 66 fifties—numbers that underline his unmatched longevity and consistency.
A chase without trouble
The contest was effectively sealed when Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar tore through Delhi’s batting, bowling them out for just 75 in 16.3 overs.
Kohli then ensured there were no surprises in the chase. Starting cautiously, he assessed conditions before easing into rhythm. A stylish straight boundary off Dushmantha Chameera got him going, and he rotated strike efficiently against bowlers like Kyle Jamieson.
With the target well under control, Kohli finished in trademark fashion against T Natarajan, launching two consecutive sixes—one over mid-wicket and another straight down the ground—to wrap up the chase with 81 balls remaining.
Kohli’s purple patch continues
Kohli’s form in IPL 2026 has been outstanding. He currently has 351 runs from eight matches at an average of 58.50, including three half-centuries, with a top score of 81.
The latest milestone not only reinforces his dominance in the IPL but also highlights his ability to keep evolving while maintaining elite performance levels season after season.
Comments are closed.