Lucknow, May 28 — Virat Kohli has scripted a new chapter in T20 cricket by becoming the first-ever player to score 9,000 runs for a single franchise. The veteran batter reached this unprecedented milestone while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their final league match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season against Lucknow Super Giants.
Opening the innings for RCB, Kohli played a crucial knock of 54 runs off just 30 balls, striking 10 boundaries. His innings set the tone for a high-pressure chase as Bengaluru successfully hunted down a target of 228 runs. With this victory, the team secured second place on the points table and advanced to Qualifier 1, where they will face Punjab Kings.
Kohli’s run tally of 9,004 spans across IPL seasons and Champions League T20 appearances, all with RCB — the only franchise he has represented since the league’s inception in 2008. This level of performance and loyalty is unmatched in franchise cricket.
In terms of comparative figures, David Warner has scored 6,397 runs across multiple franchises, while Rohit Sharma has accumulated 6,060 runs for Mumbai Indians. Suresh Raina retired with 5,528 runs for Chennai Super Kings, and other notable players include MS Dhoni (5,104), AB de Villiers (4,849), and Kieron Pollard (3,412).
In addition to this milestone, Kohli also broke another record during the match — he now holds the highest number of half-centuries in IPL history with 63, surpassing David Warner’s tally. Remarkably, he has scored over 600 runs in five different IPL seasons: 2013, 2016, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Known for his commitment and consistency, Kohli’s association with RCB has become one of the most iconic in the tournament’s history. His leadership and batting prowess have played a central role in the team’s competitive edge throughout the years, even though an IPL title has eluded them so far.
RCB’s current season has been marked by a strong comeback, including seven consecutive victories away from home. Kohli’s performances have been instrumental in this turnaround, adding momentum as the team enters the crucial playoff stage.
As RCB gears up for the knockouts, Kohli’s record adds not only statistical weight to his career but also boosts the morale of a team aiming for their first championship title. His legacy as a T20 great continues to grow with every innings.
