Virat Kohli achieved a significant milestone on Monday, becoming the first player to score 9,000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He reached the landmark during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, finishing the game with back-to-back sixes. His next target is the elusive 10,000-run mark, a feat that remains distant for even the current top five run-scorers in the tournament.
Despite being 37 years old, which has sparked discussions about his longevity, former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan expressed confidence that Kohli will achieve the 10,000-run milestone without any doubt. McClenaghan praised Kohli's remarkable consistency after RCB's emphatic nine-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 clash.
RCB's Dominant Performance
RCB's dominant win was set up by a fiery new-ball spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who dismantled Delhi's batting line-up and bowled them out for just 75, the lowest total of the season. The chase was completed with ease, highlighting RCB's all-round supremacy.
McClenaghan's Praise for Kohli
Reflecting on Kohli's sustained excellence in the tournament, McClenaghan highlighted the discipline and adaptability that have defined the veteran batter's journey over the years. Speaking on JioHotstar, he said, "Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Scoring 9,000 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. He has been in the IPL since 2008, and the best part is that 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 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."
McClenaghan added, "Instead of reinventing, he has been doing the same stuff consistently, over and over again, and he is just getting better at it. The time off from international cricket is now helping him structure his time better throughout the year. He's getting enough time to work on fitness and stay fresh. He has enough experience and knows how to deal with pressure situations. It is just about being able to do what you have been doing. That means hitting those areas with the ball which trouble batters the most, and having control over swing, which we are seeing right now. That is why his impact has always been great with the new ball."
Upcoming Matches for RCB
- 30 April: vs Gujarat Titans, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM IST
- 07 May: vs Lucknow Super Giants, Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, 7:30 PM IST
- 10 May: vs Mumbai Indians, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur, 7:30 PM IST
- 13 May: vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur, 7:30 PM IST
- 17 May: vs Punjab Kings, HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, 3:30 PM IST
- 22 May: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, 7:30 PM IST
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