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Virat Kohli Makes IPL History, First to Score 4000 Runs in Chases

Virat Kohli created history by becoming the first batter to score over 4000 runs in chases during the Indian Premier League. He achieved this milestone during RCB's opening match of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kohli played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 69 runs to help his team chase down a target of 202 in just 15.4 overs, the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history. Sunrisers Hyderabad had posted 201/9 thanks largely to a brilliant 80 from Ishan Kishan.

Key Points: Virat Kohli First to 4000 IPL Chase Runs, RCB Wins Opener

  • Kohli first to 4000 IPL chase runs
  • Also 6th highest T20 run-getter
  • RCB chases 202 in 15.4 overs
  • Ishan Kishan scores 80 for SRH
  • Kohli's unbeaten 69 guides RCB win
2 min read

Virat Kohli becomes first batter to cross 4000 IPL runs in chases

Virat Kohli becomes first batter with 4000 IPL runs in chases, leads RCB to victory over SRH in a record chase during IPL 2026 opener.

"etched his name into the record books - Indian stalwart Virat Kohli"

Bengaluru, March 29

Indian stalwart Virat Kohli etched his name into the record books by becoming the first batter in the history of the Indian Premier League to cross 4000 runs in run chases.

The right-handed batter achieved this historic feat during the IPL 2026 opener between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Additonally, Kohli also surpassed former Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik to become the sixth-highest run-getter in T20 cricket. Malik has made 13571 runs in T20 557 matches and 515 innings. The former cricketer had an average of 35.99, including 83 half-centuries in the shortest format.

Coming to the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad staged a strong recovery from an early collapse to post a competitive 201/9 against the defending champions in the IPL 2026 opener.

After losing three quick wickets of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Nitish Reddy in the power play, a brilliant knock from Ishan Kishan and key contributions down the order powered Hyderabad past the 200-run mark.

Ishan Kishan, who is the stand-in skipper for Hyderabad, hammered 80 runs off 38 deliveries, including eight fours and five sixes. Ankiet Verma played a blistering knock of 18-ball 43, including three fours and four maximums.

For the defending champions, Jacob Duffy (3/22) and Romario Shepherd (3/54) scalped three wickets apiece. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/31), Abhinandan Singh (1/38), and Suyash Sharma (1/28) bagged one wicket apiece.

In response, Kohli played a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 69 off 38 deliveries, including five fours and as many sixes.

Apart from him, Impact Player Devdutt Padikkal hammered 61 off 26 balls, with seven fours and four sixes.

Skipper Rajat Patidar played a blistering knock of 12-ball 31, with three sixes and two fours as Bengaluru won the high-scoring contest by four wickets.

The defending champions also chase down the fastest 200-plus runs in the history of IPL. Bengaluru chase down the 202-run target in 15.4 overs.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
What an incredible start to IPL 2026! The match itself was a thriller. Ishan Kishan's 80 was brilliant, but Kohli and Padikkal just took it to another level. Chasing 202 in under 16 overs is insane. The standard of cricket keeps getting better.
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Priya S
While Kohli's achievement is fantastic, let's not forget the team effort. Padikkal as Impact Player was a masterstroke, and Patidar's cameo was crucial. RCB's bowling looked a bit expensive though, they'll need to tighten up against stronger batting lineups.
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Rohit P
Feeling so proud as an Indian cricket fan! To see one of our own breaking these global T20 records, surpassing legends like Shoaib Malik... it's special. He's a run-machine. Hope he carries this form for the whole season and finally gets that elusive IPL trophy for RCB!
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Michael C
The stat about fastest 200-plus chase is mind-blowing. 15.4 overs! That's pure carnage. SRH bowlers had no answers. This shows how the game is evolving - even 200 is not safe anymore. Exciting times for T20 cricket.
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Kavya N
As a die-hard RCB fan, this was the perfect start! 💖 But a small note - the article says IPL 2026? Is that a typo? Should be 2024, right? Anyway, King Kohli is back in blue and gold, and that's all that matters! #PlayBold

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