Virat Kohli, the batter for Star India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), continues to defy expectations and criticism by reaching the 500-run milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the seventh time, a feat shared only with Australia’s David Warner in this elite category of batters.
Virat stands as the first Indian player to achieve this milestone in seven IPL seasons. In a recent match against GT, he displayed exceptional form, scoring an unbeaten 70 runs off 44 balls, including six fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 159.09.
Throughout the current IPL season, Virat has emerged as the top run-scorer, accumulating 500 runs in 10 innings at an average of 71.42 and a strike rate of 147.49, featuring a century and four half-centuries, with his highest score being 113 not out.
Reflecting on Virat’s other seasons where he surpassed the 500-run mark in the IPL, his remarkable journey with RCB unfolds:
- 2011: Virat’s breakthrough season saw him finish as the second-highest run-scorer with 557 runs in 16 matches, averaging 46.42 with a strike rate of 121.09, including four half-centuries.
- 2013: Despite RCB narrowly missing the playoffs, Virat secured the third-highest run tally with 634 runs in 16 matches, averaging 45.29 with a strike rate of 138.73, featuring six half-centuries.
- 2015: Maintaining consistency, Virat scored 505 runs in 16 matches, averaging 45.91 with a strike rate of 130.83, including three half-centuries.
- 2016: A standout season where Virat’s exceptional performance of 973 runs in 16 games at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03 propelled RCB to the finals. This included four centuries and seven fifties, earning him the ‘Orange Cap’.
- 2018: Despite RCB’s sixth-place finish, Virat delivered another impressive season, scoring 530 runs at an average of 48.18 with a strike rate of 139.11, including four half-centuries.
- 2023: After a lean season in 2022, Virat bounced back with 639 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82, featuring two centuries and six fifties.
Virat’s outstanding IPL career stats speak volumes, making him the highest run-scorer in IPL history with 7,763 runs in 247 matches and 239 innings, averaging 38.43 with a strike rate of 131.02, including eight centuries and 54 fifties.
Despite RCB’s current standing at the bottom with three wins, seven losses, and six points, and GT placed seventh with four wins, six losses, and eight points, Virat’s exceptional performance remains a highlight of the IPL season.
