Virat Kohli is the only player in IPL who has played for the same team(RCB) from the start of the IPL. The greatest batsman of this era is known for his record-breaking ability.
In the 2016 IPL season, he made sure that he came to the top of the batsmen list in IPL. There was no doubt in his match-winning ability until 2015, but 2016 took his IPL career to a peak. All the questions asked on his T20 ability until then got to an end. In fact, IPL helped him in improving his six-hitting skill. He explored his big-hitting shots in IPL matches, and his open-minded batting helped him do much better in International stages later.
Now, as he has made IPL his den, the few records Virat Kohli made in the tournament are going to be tough for any batsman to beat. Let’s dive right into those records.
Most runs in IPL
Virat Kohli was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008. He started to improve himself as a player. From 2010 till the last season, he didn’t fail to score less than 300 in a season.
At the end of the IPL 2015, Virat was at the fourth position with 3137 runs in 123 matches. He came next to Suresh Raina(3699), Rohit Sharma(3385), and Chris Gayle (3199). But 2016 gave 973 runs for Virat Kohli in a single season of IPL. By the end of the 2016 edition, Virat Kohli reached the top spot by scoring 4110 runs. Suresh Raina was just 12 runs short of Virat, scoring 4098 runs.
The war between Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli did not break continuity in 2017. This time, Raina scored 442 in 14 matches and took himself to 4540, whereas Virat had some injury issues and made only 308 runs in 10 matches and stood in the second position by having 4418 runs overall.
The season 2018 became more productive for Virat in batting, producing 530 runs in 14 matches and was 37 runs short of Raina a, who was at 4985 runs at the end of the season.
In 2019, King Kohli managed to pull off 464 runs, whereas Raina could manage only 383 runs. Thus, Virat reached back to his top spot. He went onto became the first cricketer ever to reach 6000 runs in IPL.
At the end of 2021 season, Virat has scored 6283 runs in 199 innings with an average of 37.39, including 42 half-centuries and five centuries.
Most runs in a season
Virat Kohli generated some unbelievable numbers in the 2016 edition. He scored 973 runs in 16 matches, averaging 81.08, including four centuries and seven half-centuries. No other batsmen have scored as many runs in a single season of the IPL. Chris Gayle scored 733 in the 2012 edition, the previous best.
Virat has become the flavor of the 2016 season as he was hitting more fours and sixes with ease. The Indian captain single-handedly guided his team to the season’s final with his unbelievable knocks. He even hit 38 sixes that season – the third best in a single season record list.
‘If you’re just trying to win games for your team, you end up doing special things,’ said Kohli on his Orange cap winning. Out of 16 matches, he managed to capitalize on 11 matches scoring above 50 runs. Even Virat will feel it more difficult to break his record of 973 runs in a season.
Most number of centuries in a season
Virat Mr. Run Machine Kohli made four centuries in the 2016 season. Imagine how hungry he would have been before the season.
The first one was against Gujarat Lions; he scored 100 runs off 63 balls with 11 boundaries and a six. This is just typical Virat innings. Being a lone ranger, he took his team to 180 runs. But unfortunately, GL chases it with ease. Thus Kohli showed the sparkle of what was to happen in the season’s future.
The next one was against Rising Pune Supergiants. This time Kohli was in his very own zone of chasing. He guided his team to win the match by scoring 108 runs in 58 balls.
The Chinnaswamy stadium was lit up by the centuries of Kohli and ABD. Kohli made more firecrackers against GL in this innings. His four sixes in an over of Shivil Kaushik set the tone for his third hundred of the season.
The fourth one was made in a 15 over match. Even that didn’t stop Virat from showcasing his class. Along with the seven stitches on his left hand, Kohli pulled off another century. Kohli made his highest score of 113 runs off 50 balls with 12 fours and eight massive sixes.
Highest partnerships by runs
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers possessed the record of highest partnership by runs of 215 against Mumbai Indians in the 2015 edition. In 2016 they broke their record by making 229 runs against Gujarat Lions. In this case, they both reached their century.
They thrashed 20 sixes and 15 fours between them and strung a spectacular partnership. Two centuries were scored in an innings for the first time in IPL.
Other highlighting features
- Virat got his name on for hitting most runs in an over in 2016. It is the over of Shivil Kaushik, where Virat managed to score 30 runs, which includes four sixes and a boundary.
- Virat Kohli is the most expensive player in the history of the IPL after being retained by RCB with Rs 17 crore, until 2021.
- Virat has been the highest run-scorer for his team RCB in four seasons in a row, i.e., 2016 to 2019.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli is the kind of player who loves to handle the pressure. He always felt hungry to score for his team. He is the kind of player who wins through his attitude. His match-winning ability, willpower, and self-confidence are the factors that set him apart from others. This one with pure technique and a great attitude will never be replaced.