Virat Kohli becomes first player to complete 8000 runs in IPL in India during GT vs RCB clash

Batting juggernaut Virat Kohli stormed into the record books, becoming the first player in history to surpass 8,000 IPL runs in India. Heading into the match against Gujarat Titans (GT), Kohli needed just 12 runs to reach the milestone. He achieved the feat in spectacular fashion, hitting a boundary off Kagiso Rabada on the third ball of the second over.

Virat Kohli completes 8000 IPL runs in India

The encounter between Kohli and Rabada was a brief but high-octane affair. Kohli signaled his dominance early by dismantling the South African pacer with five consecutive boundaries in a single over. However, Rabada ultimately had the final word, dismissing the superstar in the fourth over. Kohli’s aggressive cameo ended with 28 runs off 13 deliveries, a knock punctuated by five fours and a six.

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This latest performance has pushed Kohli’s total IPL tally in India to 8,016 runs, further widening the gap between him and his closest contemporaries. In the rankings for most runs scored within the country, he is followed by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Rohit has accumulated 6,274 runs across 237 matches for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians, while the recently retired Dhawan concluded his storied career with 5,819 runs across 187 matches played in India.

Virat Kohli, a man of milestone

Beyond his record-breaking feats on home soil, Virat Kohli’s IPL legacy spans multiple continents. Having recently become the first player to cross the 9,000-run threshold in the league’s history on April 27, his career total includes significant contributions from overseas editions of the tournament. Over the years, he has represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 16 matches in South Africa and 28 matches in the United Arab Emirates.

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His statistical footprint in these regions highlights his adaptability across different conditions. During the 2009 season in South Africa, he recorded 246 runs in 13 innings for the franchise. Later, across the various phases of the tournament held in the UAE, he proved even more prolific, amassing 778 runs over 28 innings.

Kohli ended up scoring a quickfire 13-ball 28 as RCB were bowled out for mere 155.