Virat Kohli has set yet another milestone, becoming the first batter in IPL history to score 500 runs in eight different seasons. In doing so, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star has surpassed David Warner, who had previously reached the landmark in seven seasons.
“As the first batsman in IPL history to achieve this feat, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batter has now gone past David Warner.”
In many ways, IPL consistency is synonymous with the name Virat Kohli. Once again, the RCB legend is proving just why he’s regarded as one of the all-time greats of the tournament. His exceptional run this season saw him cross the 500-run mark yet again, adding another remarkable chapter to his IPL legacy.
On Saturday, against Chennai Super Kings, Kohli scored a blistering 62 off 33 balls. That innings took his season tally to 505 runs, currently making him the Orange Cap holder for most runs this season.
The race for the highest run-scorer will continue until the end of the season, but Kohli has already secured his place in the record books. “He became the first batsman to score 500 or more runs in eight different IPL seasons, going past David Warner.”
Warner had managed to cross 500 runs in seven IPL seasons, and with his career seemingly nearing its end, Kohli now has a clear path to extend this record further in upcoming editions.
Lokesh Rahul is another contender who might chase this record in the future. So far, he has scored 500+ runs in six seasons and is in good form this year as well, already amassing 371 runs in nine innings.
Among others, the now-retired Shikhar Dhawan hit the 500-run mark in five different seasons.
Kohli’s early IPL days weren’t as prolific. He scored just 165 runs in 2008 and 246 in 2009. In 2010, he breached the 300-run mark for the first time (307 runs), and since then, he has never dipped below that mark in any season.
He first reached 500 runs in 2011 with 557 runs. In 2013, he touched the 600-run milestone for the first time.
What he did in 2016 still remains the gold standard in IPL history. That season, Kohli smashed 973 runs, a record that stands to this day, powered by four centuries and seven fifties.
Even in the later stages of his career, Kohli continues to deliver. He scored 741 runs last season, and judging by his current form, surpassing that isn’t out of the question. This year, in 11 innings, he already has seven fifties—each contributing to a win for his team. That’s a joint IPL record for most fifties in winning matches in a single season.
He now shares that record with David Warner, Shubman Gill, and even his own 2016 campaign.
Saturday’s match against Chennai saw Kohli etch his name into a few more record books. “He became the first batsman to hit 300 sixes for a single team (304).” He also now holds the record for most sixes at a single venue in T20s—154 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“He has also scored the most runs by a player against a single team in IPL history now sitting at 1,146 runs against Chennai Super Kings.”
All in all, IPL this season and arguably the tournament’s history feels like a celebration of Virat Kohli.
