The Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar Virat Kohli achieved a major career milestone on Monday against the Delhi Capitals, becoming the first batter in IPL history to reach 9000 runs.
Former Mumbai Indians pacer and current IPL commentator Mitchell McClenaghan hailed Kohli for this remarkable achievement, calling him the greatest batter in IPL history while acknowledging his consistency and ability to evolve with time.
McClenaghan on Kohli's masterclass
Speaking on Star Sports, the Kiwi pacer praised Kohli’s longevity and his ability to maintain the same hunger and discipline year after year.
"Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Scoring 9000 IPL runs against the world's best bowlers is no easy task. It's about hunger, discipline, and adapting every year, and that's what brings the best out of him," said McClenaghan.
McClenaghan further highlighted Kohli’s evolution as a batter, explaining how his transition to opening the innings alongside Chris Gayle proved to be a turning point in his career.
"He didn't start his career as an opener. He batted in the lower middle order, fought for his place, then moved to number three. Later, he opened with Chris Gayle. That changed his game completely."
He also predicted that the former RCB captain will soon reach the 10,000-run milestone and praised his ability to dominate across different eras.
"He will soon reach 10,000 runs, without a doubt. Kohli is the greatest batter the IPL has ever seen, not just for the runs, but for how he has evolved and dominated across different eras," he concluded.
Virat Kohli's another Indian Premier League record
The 37-year-old Indian icon has now amassed 9012 runs in 275 matches at an average of 40.05, with a strike rate of 133.80. In 267 innings, he has scored eight centuries and 55 half-centuries in the league so far.
In addition to this, Kohli also holds the record for the most fours in IPL history, with 808 boundaries to his name. Kohli’s relentless consistency and hunger for runs continue to redefine greatness in the IPL, and with milestones still within reach, his legacy only seems to be growing stronger with each passing game.