With 5412 IPL runs, Virat Kohli holds the record for scoring the most runs in the IPL history. Having started his career with the RCB post a successful U-19 WC triumph for India in 2008, Kohli has had a flourishing IPL career so far.
In IPL 2020, Kohli will once again return to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a franchise that is yearning to win its maiden IPL title. Being one of the key members in the RCB IPL squad, Kohli will hope to deliver the goods for the franchise in 2020 and attempt to bring an end to their winless IPL streak. However, RCB's failure to lift an IPL trophy in the history of the league doesn't belittle Kohli's success as a player in the IPL.
In the past 12 editions of the IPL, Kohli has evolved from being a new kid on the blocks in 2008 to now becoming a star attraction in the IPL. His IPL career saw a major rise in the 2016 edition when the RCB-skipper registered a tally of 973 runs in the entire edition.
As the much-awaited IPL 2020 is set near, we will look at some of the records held by Virat Kohli in his IPL career:
Contents
- 1 1. Most runs in an IPL season- 973 runs in 2016
- 2 2. Most centuries in an IPL season – Four in 2016
- 3 3. Youngest Player to Captain an IPL franchise – 22 Years
- 4 4. Most IPL appearances for a single IPL franchise – 177 matches
- 5 5. Most Expensive player in IPL history- 17 crores
- 6 6. Highest IPL partnership with AB De Villiers – 229 runs
1. Most runs in an IPL season- 973 runs in 2016
IPL 2016 will always be remembered as Virat Kohli's IPL. He won the Orange cap for scoring most – 973 runs in the entire IPL edition. This still remains the record for highest run aggregate by a player in a single IPL season. In fact, Virat made 1614 T20 runs in 2016 across T20s which is the 2nd most for any player in the calendar year.
However, Kohli's monumental efforts in 2016 couldn't propel RCB to their maiden IPL title after the Banglore-based franchise failed to cross the final hurdle in the 2016 IPL final.
ALSO READ List of Orange Cap Winners in IPL History
2. Most centuries in an IPL season – Four in 2016
We all know about the conversion rate of Virat Kohli in both ODIs and Tests, which ranks him among some of the best in the business. But in IPL 2016, Kohli took it to another level where he hit as many as four IPL centuries. It was even more special feat for him given he had never crossed the 100-run mark in any of the earlier editions before 2016.
In 2016, Virat scored two tons against Gujarat Lions, a century apiece against RSPG and Kings XI Punjab. Kohli holds an elusive IPL record for scoring more than two centuries in a season. Shane Watson and Chris Gayle, with two centuries each, claim the second spot for scoring most centuries in an IPL edition.
3. Youngest Player to Captain an IPL franchise – 22 Years
Virat Kohli was handed over the captaincy for RCB in 2013 while he still continues the lead the franchise in 2020. However, it was in 2011 when Kohli replaced Daniel Vettori as a stand-in skipper to lead RCB in three games that season. In doing so, he became the youngest captain to lead an IPL franchise at the age of 22. It was his impressive skills as a leader that he eventually took the charge of the side in IPL 2013 as a full-time skipper.
ALSO READ Top 5 ODI knocks by Virat Kohli
4. Most IPL appearances for a single IPL franchise – 177 matches
Virat Kohli is the only player in the IPL history who has represented the same franchise for his entire stint in the last 12 years. While there are players who have donned the jersey for a single franchise throughout their IPL career, but Kohli has managed to do it for all the editions of the IPL. Beginning his IPL career in 2008, Virat continues to be associated with RCB even after continuous twelve years with the franchise. As a result, he holds the record for most matches played for an IPL franchise.
Since the inaugural IPL season, Virat has played a record 177 games for RCB, scoring 5412 runs in the process. He has led them on 110 occasions, winning in 49 matches while losing 55 as captain for RCB.
5. Most Expensive player in IPL history- 17 crores
Virat Kohli is one of the very few players who have never been auction at the IPL auction table. In 2008, RCB bought Kohli as an uncapped player and have continued to retain him ever since. Even in 2019 IPL mega-auction, RCB retained the services of their skipper. However, this time around, the franchise paid a whopping amount of INR 17 crores for retaining Kohli in their team.
As a result, Kohi became the most expensive player in IPL history with an IPL contract of INR 17 Crores for a season. Yuvraj Singh, who was bought by Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) for INR 16 Crores remains to be the second most expensive player in the history of IPL.
6. Highest IPL partnership with AB De Villiers – 229 runs
There are only a few better sights on a cricket ground than to watch Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers bat together. Playing for RCB, the dynamic duo has provided various moments of joy and pride for their fans to cherish for lifelong. Not once but twice, Kohli and de Villiers have shared a double hundred-run stand together in the IPL.
In IPL 2016, they got together to pile on 229 runs against Gujarat Lions in Bengaluru. This was the highest IPL partnership ever recorded in the history of the league. In the process, they shattered their own record stand of 215, which they made against Mumbai Indians a year earlier. Virat, with his 109 scored his 3rd ton of the season while AB scored a stunning 129 runs.