Ahmedabad: Batting legend Virat Kohli continues to redefine records in the Indian Premier League, becoming the first player to score over 8,000 runs in IPL matches played in India. The milestone came during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
Kohli entered the game needing just 12 runs to reach the landmark, having accumulated 7,988 runs in 231 innings. He wasted no time, smashing a quickfire 28 off just 13 balls, including a blistering 21-run over against Kagiso Rabada.
Most IPL Runs in India (By Innings)
- Virat Kohli – 8,016 (232 innings)*
- Rohit Sharma – 6,274 (237 innings)
- Shikhar Dhawan – 5,819 (187 innings)
- David Warner – 5,689 (164 innings)
- Suresh Raina – 4,958 (181 innings)
Explosive Start, Sudden Collapse
Returning to the venue where RCB lifted the IPL title last season, Kohli set the tone early with an aggressive approach. His highlight was a sensational over against Rabada, where he struck five consecutive boundaries.
However, Shubman Gill’s decision to persist with Rabada paid off. The South African pacer bounced back immediately, dismissing Kohli and triggering a dramatic batting collapse.
RCB, who were cruising at 71/2 in seven overs, suffered a shocking middle-order meltdown, slipping to 96/6 within a span of just a few overs. Key batters including Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya failed to capitalise on the strong start.
Bowling Efforts Restrict RCB
Left-arm pacer Arshad Khan starred with the ball, picking up 3/22 to wrap up the tail. Meanwhile, spin wizard Rashid Khan delivered a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal for a well-made 40 with a sharp delivery that led to a chop-on.
RCB were eventually bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs — their first all-out innings of IPL 2026 — a total that looked below par after their explosive start.
A Record Amid Disappointment
While the match didn’t go RCB’s way, Kohli’s historic milestone once again underlined his unmatched consistency and longevity in the IPL. Even in a short cameo, the veteran showcased his ability to dominate top-quality bowling and rewrite record books.