Virat Kohli (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
Virat Kohli completed his 9,000th run in the Indian Premier League on Monday during the match against Delhi Capitals, ending the match with six consecutive knocks. His next target is to achieve a special milestone of 10,000 runs in the Indian Premier League, a goal that is still far away for other current players, even those in the top five.
Although Kohli is already 37 years old, raising some questions about his longevity, former New Zealand spinner Mitchell McClenaghan believes he can achieve the feat without a doubt.Mitchell McClenaghan praised Virat Kohli’s impressive consistency after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 match.RCB’s dominant win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday was sealed by a new fireball spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who dismantled Delhi’s batting line-up and dismissed them for just 75, the lowest total of the season.
The chase was completed easily, highlighting RCB’s overall superiority.Reflecting on Kohli’s continued excellence in the tournament, McClenaghan highlighted the discipline and adaptability that has defined the veteran batsman’s journey over the years, speaking on JioHotstar.“Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Score 9,000 runs in the Indian Premier League against the best bowlers in the world is no easy task. It’s about hunger, discipline and adapting every year, and that’s what brings out the best in him.”
He has been in the Indian Premier League since 2008, and the best part is that he did not start his career as an opener. He batted in the lower middle order, fought for his place, and then moved to third. He later opened with Chris Gayle.
That completely changed his game. It will soon reach 10,000 points, without a doubt. “Kohli is the greatest batsman the Indian Premier League has ever seen, not just for his runs, but also for how he has evolved and dominated through different eras,” McClenaghan told JioStar.
Here are the top 5 run scorers in the Indian Premier League:
| Rank | player | Team(s) | Total number of runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 9,012 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers | 7,183 |
| 3 | Shekhar Dhawan | PBKS, DC, SRH, MI, Deccan Chargers | 6,769 |
| 4 | David Warner | Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6,565 |
| 5 | Kuala Lumpur Rahul | Delhi Capitals, LSG, PBKS, RCB, SRH | 5,580 |
“Instead of reinventing, he’s been constantly doing the same things, over and over again, and he’s getting better at that. Taking time off from international cricket now helps him organize his time better throughout the year. He’s getting enough time to work on fitness and staying fresh. He’s got enough experience and knows how to handle pressure situations. It’s just about being able to do what you’ve been doing.”
This means hitting those areas with the ball that hit the ball the most, and controlling the swing, which is what we are seeing now. That’s why his impact has always been great with the new ball.”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) upcoming matches:
| date | opponent | place | Time(IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 30 | Gujarat Titans | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 pm |
| 07 May | Lucknow Super Giants | Ikana Stadium, Lucknow | 7:30 pm |
| May 10 | Mumbai Indians | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur | 7:30 pm |
| May 13 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur | 7:30 pm |
| May 17 | Kings of Punjab | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala | 3:30 pm |
| May 22 | sunrise hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:30 pm |