Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting icon Virat Kohli scripted yet another historic milestone during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala.
The 37-year-old became the first player in IPL history to register four consecutive 600-run seasons after scoring a blazing 43 off just 25 balls against GT.
Kohli’s quickfire knock featured five boundaries and one six and came at a stunning strike rate of 172.00 as RCB produced a batting masterclass in the high-stakes playoff clash.
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Virat Kohli becomes first player to achieve historic IPL milestone
With his innings against GT, Virat Kohli crossed the 600-run mark in IPL 2026 and etched his name deeper into tournament history.
In 15 innings this season, Kohli has now scored 600 runs at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 164.38, which is also his best strike rate in a single IPL season.
The RCB superstar has already smashed one century and four fifties this year, with his highest score being an unbeaten 105.
What makes Kohli’s achievement even more remarkable is the transformation he has undergone over the last few seasons.
After enduring a difficult IPL 2022 campaign where he managed only 341 runs in 16 matches at an average of 22.73, Kohli completely reinvented himself in T20 cricket.
He bounced back strongly in IPL 2023 with 639 runs in 14 innings at an average of 53.25, including two centuries and six fifties.
In IPL 2024, Kohli dominated the tournament with 741 runs and won the Orange Cap while significantly improving his strike rate and six-hitting ability.
Last season, he once again played a massive role in RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph, scoring 657 runs in 15 innings with eight half-centuries.
Rajat Patidar powers RCB to a massive 254 against GT
Apart from Virat Kohli’s historic feat, RCB captain Rajat Patidar completely stole the show with a breathtaking innings in Qualifier 1.
Patidar smashed an unbeaten 92 off just 33 balls and dismantled the Gujarat Titans bowling attack all around the ground.
The RCB skipper’s innings ensured Bengaluru posted a gigantic total of 254 runs against GT in one of the biggest playoff totals in IPL history.
Several other RCB batters also chipped in with explosive cameos.Devdutt Padikkal scored 30 off 19 balls, while Krunal Pandya added a valuable 43 off 28 deliveries.
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Venkatesh Iyer hammered 19 off just seven balls, while wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma smashed 15 runs from only five deliveries.
GT had earlier won the toss and elected to bowl first, but RCB’s batting lineup completely dominated the contest from start to finish.
The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly qualify for the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.