Virat Kohli once again reminded the cricketing world why he remains one of the greatest players in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). During Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s dominant clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the former India captain created a landmark moment by becoming the first batter ever to complete 9000 runs in IPL history. On a ground that has witnessed many of his early cricketing memories, Kohli produced yet another unforgettable moment, turning a routine league game into a historic occasion.
Virat Kohli reaches the unmatched milestone in IPL
Playing his 275th IPL match, Kohli needed just a few runs to enter the exclusive territory, and he got there in style during the sixth over of RCB’s chase. Facing Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel, Kohli calmly pushed the final ball of the over to long-off for a single, bringing up the remarkable milestone.
With that run, he became the first player in IPL history to cross the 9000-run mark, setting a benchmark that may take years for others to challenge. Kohli remained unbeaten on 23 off 15 balls and helped RCB complete a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals.
The moment was made even more special because it happened in Delhi, the city where Kohli’s cricketing journey began. From local grounds in the capital to becoming the face of the IPL, it was a fitting setting for such a historic achievement.
IPL’s greatest run machine
Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Kohli has been the one constant force in the tournament. While many stars have come and gone, he has continued to dominate season after season with unmatched consistency.
His journey to 9000 runs reflects not just talent but incredible discipline, fitness, and hunger for success. Kohli has scored eight IPL centuries and more than sixty fifty-plus scores, proving his ability to perform across different eras and conditions.
The current list of highest run-scorers in IPL history now stands as:
- 9000 runs – Virat Kohli*
- 7183 runs – Rohit Sharma*
- 6769 runs – Shikhar Dhawan
Notably, only Rohit Sharma has crossed the 7000-run mark apart from Kohli, highlighting just how far ahead the RCB batter stands from the rest.
Excellent season in IPL 2026
Kohli’s record-breaking season is not just about one milestone. He has been one of the standout performers of IPL 2026 and remains a strong contender in the Orange Cap race. As of April 28, he has scored 351 runs in 8 matches at an impressive average of 58.50 and a strike rate of 162.50. His aggressive yet controlled batting has been one of RCB’s biggest strengths this season.
His best innings came against Gujarat Titans on April 24, where he smashed a commanding 81 off just 44 deliveries. Kohli also leads the tournament in fours, with 37 boundaries so far. At 37, he continues to play with the energy of a youngster and the calmness of a veteran. The 9000-run milestone is not just a number—it is a symbol of sustained greatness, and Kohli is far from finished yet.
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