The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become synonymous with Virat Kohli, who is known as the ‘King of IPL.’ His ability with the bat, his love for the game, and his loyalty to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have made him the very essence of the IPL. Since then, Kohli has been at the heart of one of the most enthralling cricket tournaments in the world. In this article, we delve deep into Virat Kohli and why we see him as the King of IPL, his career stats and records, along with some of his most memorable performances.
Who is the King of IPL?
Virat Kohli’s name is well ensconced in the IPL history books, not only because of his unbelievable statistics but also because of his unparalleled consistency and the impact he’s had on the league. He was the face of the IPL because of his excellent cricketing skills and leadership qualities. Here are some reasons why Virat Kohli traded his title of ‘king‘ for ‘builder‘ [in 2018].
- Highest run scorer in the IPL: With more than 8,000 runs in the IPL, Kohli is the highest run scorer in the league’s history. His stats are outstanding and he’s been so consistent there has been no one yet.
- Virat is very passionate about cricket and it shows in every match he plays. It is contagious on the field and generations of cricketers have been inspired by his energy.
- Rivals with the Royal Challengers Bangalore: Kohli is a diehard for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Even though he hasn’t won a title with the franchise yet, he has been with the franchise since its start and has shown incredible loyalty.
Virat Kohli’s IPL Career Stats
Virat Kohli’s IPL career has been a story of consistency, dedication, and match-winning performances. He has truly built up an incredible record over the years, making him the undisputed King of IPL. Let’s break down some key statistics that highlight his supremacy in the tournament.
| Stat | Details |
| Matches Played | 257 |
| Total Runs | 8190 |
| Average | 38.81 |
| Strike Rate | 132.24 |
| Highest Score | 113* |
| Centuries Scored | 8 |
| Fifties Scored | 57 |
These stats speak for themselves of a player who has been the backbone of his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, in every single IPL season. He has been just consistent in his scoring runs and is adaptable enough to adapt to different match situations.
- He is the top run scorer of IPL with 8,190 runs in 257 matches. Every time he plays a match this record season, consistency is evident with Kohli.
- He also has a great Strike Rate of 132.24, as this helps him to accumulate runs at a fast pace, which is needed in T20 cricket.
- 8 centuries & 57 fifties, which has Kohli maintain his remarkable consistency and prove that he can come good in the number of times when it’s most needed!
Virat Kohli—Records So Far in IPL
Virat Kohli has some beautiful IPL records that indicate his greatness. Not only has he scored the most runs, but there are other achievements that make his career an event to remember. We will take a look at some of the major records of Kohli in the IPL.
| Record | Details |
| Most Runs in IPL History | 8,190 |
| Most Centuries in IPL | 8 |
| Most Matches for a Single Franchise | 257 |
| First Player to Hit 1000 Boundaries in IPL | Yes |
He holds some of the most remarkable records — First player to hit over 1,000 boundaries in the IPL, and he was the only man to play in more than 250 matches for the same franchise — Royal Challengers Bangalore. But his records are a testimony of how long he’s been in the league and how consistent he has been.
Top Performances in IPL
Cricket fans throughout the world have been enthralled to see some of the great IPL performances from Virat Kohli’s IPL career. His most famous knocks have been under the pump, as he has hit them in any situation. Here are some of his best IPL knocks that have ensured writing Kohli’s name in the legacy of IPL.
| Year | Opponent | Runs | Balls Faced | Details |
| 2016 | Kings XI Punjab | 113 | 50 | One of Kohli’s finest knocks in IPL history, he scored a blistering 113 off just 50 balls. |
| 2016 | Rajasthan Royals | 113* | 72 | Another century for Kohli, showcasing his ability to anchor innings and accelerate at the right time. |
| 2016 | Gujarat Lions | 109 | 55 | An innings full of aggressive stroke play that helped RCB chase down a big target. |
| 2016 | Rising Pune Super Giants | 108* | 58 | Another scintillating knock during a dominant 2016 season. |
| 2023 | Gujarat Titans | 101* | 61 | Kohli scored a match-winning century to help RCB secure a crucial win. |
But these are just a few of Kohli’s habits of taking a match into his or his team’s hands and leading it to victory. His performances in 2016, in which he made four centuries, are the most dominating individual season in IPL history.
Virat Kohli & RCB—A Legendary Partnership
Obviously, the most iconic of all for us is Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB has had a fantastic grassroots football history since 2008, and he has been synonymous with the team’s success and identity and has been with the RCB since its very beginning. Kohli’s loyalty to RCB and the fact that it hasn’t won an IPL title so far have made him a loved man among the team’s fans.
Even though RCB is yet to win an IPL trophy, Kohli’s attachment to the team has stayed the same. That passion is shown in the leadership of his not winning the IPL. It’s not just about what the Indian Test captain achieves on the field, but the impact he has made inside as well; he has an emotional connection with fans and is the face of RCB.
Best IPL Seasons of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has been consistent throughout all IPL seasons, and some seasons stood apart from the rest. Arguably the best season of the player in IPL history, he scored 973 runs that included four centuries in the 2016 season. Here is a glance at Kohli’s best seasons:
| Year | Runs Scored | Centuries | Average | Strike Rate |
| 2016 | 973 | 4 | 81.08 | 152.03 |
| 2023 | 600+ | 2 | 50.00 | 140+ |
| 2024 | 700+ | 1 | 44.00 | 135.00 |
In fact, his performance in the 2016 IPL season is considered the best performance by Kohli in his IPL career, while his recent consistency in 2023 and 2024 shows Kohli’s presence at the top of his game. Like he was approaching his 30s, Kohli still performs brilliantly for the King of IPL.
Virat Kohli’s Performance in IPL 2025
Virat Kohli’s career has another chapter to write in the IPL 2025 season. Kohli, in fact, is still having a career in the latter stages. Already, in five matches this year, the 186 runs accumulated by him don’t include two half centuries and he has continued to be a key player for RCB.
| Stats | Details |
| Matches Played | 5 |
| Runs Scored | 186 |
| Average | 46.5 |
| Strike Rate | 145.3 |
| Highest Score | 67 |
| Centuries | 2 |
Other Contenders for King of IPL
There can be other contenders for the title like Rohit Sharma as he did phenomenal batting performance and lead mumbai to win 5 IPL titles. Along with them MS Dhoni is also contender for the same and he made Chennai Super Kings Vitorious 5 times. All of them could also be nominated of King of IPL Title.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli’s journey in the Indian Premier League is a tale of an unending quest for excellence, passion for the game, and unmatched addition to the tournament. He has been the indisputable King of IPL because of his records and iconic performances and his loyalty to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Year after year, Kohli continually produces at the highest level and displays that greatness isn’t something you just get, but one that you strive for.
Virat Kohli continues to be a force to be reckoned with as the IPL 2025 series comes to a close. His legacy is safe, but he continues to build it with every match, essentially making all subsequent innings and years absolutely unchallenged by any match or legacy of his own.
FAQs
1. What’s so special about Virat Kohli? Why is he called the King of IPL?
He’s called the King of IPL, as Virat Kohli has scored the most runs in IPL history and has been loyal to Royal Challengers Bangalore and has been the most consistent run-getter scorer in the tournament.
2. What are Kohli’s IPL career stats?
Virat Kohli has played 257 matches with 8190 runs to his name at an average score of 38.81 and a strike rate of 132.24. With the help of 8 centuries and 57 fifties, he became the leading run scorer in IPL history.
3. What were Virat Kohli’s most productive IPL seasons?
In 2016, Kohli scored 973 runs, setting a record by bagging 4 centuries in the IPL.
4. How many runs has Virat Kohli scored this season in IPL 2025?
IPL 2025: Till Now, Kohli has appeared in 5 matches, scoring 186 runs at a strike rate of 145.3 and an average of 46.5, including 2 centuries.
5. What IPL records does Virat Kohli hold?
He also has several IPL records to his name, like most runs (8190), most centuries (8), most matches played for a team (257), all for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
