Virat Kohli: Decoding his IPL campaigns with 500-plus runs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli on April 28 became the first batter to touch the 500-run mark in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). He accomplished the milestone en route to an unbeaten 70 against Gujarat Titans.. Kohli completed 500 runs for the seventh time in an IPL season, the joint-most for any batter. Let's decode his campaigns with 500-plus IPL runs.
Leading run-getter of IPL 2024
Kohli touched the 500-run mark with his 70th and final run against GT in Match 45. No other batter has completed 450 runs in the season at the moment. Having played 10 games this year, the RCB star averages a brilliant 71.42 as his strike rate reads 147.49. His tally of five 50-plus scores, including a hundred, is also the most for a batter.
Second-most runs in IPL 2011
The 2011 IPL was the maiden season that saw Kohli compile over 500 runs. He finished with 557 runs across 16 games at an average and strike rate of 46.41 and 121.08, respectively. Kohli slammed four fifties as RCB finished the tournament as runners-up. The RCB talisman's tally of runs was only second to his teammate Chris Gayle (608) that year.
Third-highest run-getter of IPL 2013
After a mediocre 2012 season, Kohli returned to his best in IPL 2013. He finished the season as the third-highest run-getter with 634 runs at 45.28 with his strike rate being 138.73. He slammed the joint-most fifties in the season (6) though RCB missed out on a playoff berth. Only Gayle (708) and CSK's Michael Hussey (733) compiled more runs that year.
Another fine season in 2015
Kohli also enjoyed an impressive campaign in RCB's run to playoffs in IPL 2015. He scored consistently and finished with 505 runs across 16 games at 45.9. His strike rate was a decent 130.82 as the tally included three fifties. Kohli was the fifth-highest run-getter that year. Only AB de Villiers (513) compiled more runs for RCB.
Dream run in IPL 2016
Kohli was a different beast in IPL 2016 as he finished with 973 runs in 16 games. The RCB batter averaged 81.08 and struck at 152.03. He hammered four tons, the joint-most in an IPL season, and seven half-centuries in addition to guiding the RCB to the final. No other batter has crossed the 900-run mark in an IPL season to date.
530 runs in IPL 2018
Though RCB missed out on a playoff berth in IPL 2018, Kohli made his bat talk and compiled 530 runs across 14 matches with his average and strike rate being 48.18 and 139.10, respectively. The then RCB captain, who hammered four fifties in the tournament, finished as the seventh-highest run-getter.
Two centuries in 2023
Kohli enjoyed a dream run in IPL 2023 as well. He has amassed 639 runs in 14 matches at 53.25. His strike rate read 139.82 as the tally included two tons and six fifties. Both his tons came in successive games though RCB could not qualify for the playoffs. Kohli was overall the fourth-highest run-getter last year.
