New Delhi: Virat Kohli added another milestone to his glittering career, surpassing Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik to become the Asian batsman with the most runs in T20 cricket during the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.Go beyond boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Opening the innings on a 202-run chase, Kohli reached a style milestone, surpassing Malik’s tally of 13,571 runs by one run in the eighth over. The Indian star achieved the feat in just his 415th T20 match, compared to Malik’s 557 matches during his two-decade career.
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The latest feat puts Kohli (13,612) sixth on the all-time T20 run-scorers list, led by Chris Gayle (14,562), followed by Kieron Pollard (14,482), Alex Hills (14,449), David Warner (14,063) and Jos Buttler (13,845).
Most runs in T20 cricket
| player | M | Runs | HS | Ave. | SAR | 100 seconds | 1950s |
| Chris Gayle | 463 | 14562 | 175* | 36.22 | 144.75 | 22 | 88 |
| Kieron Pollard | 735 | 14482 | 104 | 31.62 | 150.96 | 1 | 67 |
| Alex Hales | 528 | 14449 | 119* | 29.91 | 144.51 | 7 | 92 |
| David Warner | 433 | 14063 | 135* | 37.10 | 140.68 | 10 | 115 |
| Jos Butler | 493 | 13845 | 124 | 34.96 | 146.16 | 8 | 98 |
| Virat Kohli | 415 | 13612 | 122* | 42.14 | 134.85 | 9 | 106 |
| Shoaib Malik | 557 | 13571 | 95* | 35.99 | 127.24 | 0 | 83 |
A milestone was achieved amidst fluent methodsKohli’s record came in the midst of other auteur innings. An unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, taking RCB to a dominant six-wicket win. His knock, which included five fours and five sixes, underlined his perennial class at the top of the order.Speaking after the match, Kohli praised his final pace and careful management of the workload. He said: “When I return to playing, I am 120% healthy. I will not return without preparation… The additional rest helps me renew my mental energy.”
Reflecting on his long career, he added: “There was always a risk of getting burned out rather than not cooking well… These breaks help me stay fresh and motivated.”
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Praise for Padikkal, focus on team successKohli also heaped praise on Devdutt Padikkal, who blasted 61 off 26 balls in the chase. “A fantastic shot… it took the game completely away from the opponent,” Kohli said, revealing that he encouraged the left-hander to continue attacking.Beyond personal achievements, Kohli reiterated his commitment to the team. “You don’t just want to keep a place, you want to continue to perform and contribute to the team’s cause,” he noted.With records still falling and a strong figure on his side, Kohli’s latest achievement not only cements his legacy but also indicates that he remains a dominant force in T20 cricket.