Virat Kohli smashes his eighth century in IPL: Key stats
Virat Kohli has brought up his eighth century in the Indian Premier League. The 35-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman struck an unbeaten 113 against the Rajasthan Royals in match number 19 of the IPL 2024 season. Kohli, who has been in top form this season, added a record-breaking 125-run opening stand alongside Faf du Plessis (44). Kohli got to his ton from 67 balls.
A solid effort from Kohli's blade
The RCB managed 53/0 in the powerplay with Kohli scoring 32 from 25 balls. After two tight overs, du Plessis attacked before Kohli dispatched Yuzvendra Chahal for a six in the 10th over. He smashed another maximum to get to a fifty from 40 balls. Kohli hit Avesh Khan for 14 runs in the 16th over. He reached his ton in the 19th over.
7,500 runs for Kohli in IPL
During the course of his knock, Kohli became the first batter in IPL history with 7,500 runs. Kohli hit 113* from 72 balls (SR: 156.94). He smashed 12 fours and four sixes. Kohli owns 7,579 runs at 38.27 (SR: 130.62). Kohli has 52 half-centuries and a record eight tons in the cash-rich league. He owns 246 sixes and 672 fours.
Kohli scripts these partnership records
Kohli and du Plessis brought up their fifth 100-plus partnership for the opening wicket in IPL history. This was also the pair's sixth 100-plus stand for any wicket in the IPL. As per Cricbuzz, Kohli has been involved in 28 hundred-plus partnerships in the IPL (any wicket). He is two above David Warner (26 such stands).
Another massive record for Kohli and du Plessis
Kohli and du Plessis own 1,432 partnership runs for the first wicket in the IPL. The duo surpassed Warner and Jonny Bairstow (1,401). Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, with 2,220 runs for SRH, hold the top spot. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa (1,478 runs for KKR) remain second. Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw (1,461 for DC) are third above Kohli/du Plessis.
Kohli becomes highest scorer versus RR in the IPL
As per ESPNcricinfo, Kohli is now the highest run-scorer against the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Kohli surpassed 700 runs versus RR (731 at 30.45), becoming the first to do so. He overtook Dhawan, who owns 679 runs versus the Royals. Kohli smashed his maiden century against RR in the IPL. He also owns four fifties.
Third-highest centurion in T20 cricket
Kohli hit his ninth century in the T20 format overall. He is now only behind Chris Gayle (22 centuries) and Babar Azam (11 centuries). Kohli surpassed the likes of Warner, Aaron Finch and M Klinger (8 centuries each). Kohli has raced to 12,310 runs in the T20s at 41.87. In addition to nine tons, he owns 93 fifties. He has played 381 matches.
Kohli has been in top form this season
Kohli is the IPL 2024 season's top scorer. In five matches, the RCB supremo owns 316 runs at 105.33. His strike rate is 146.29. Kohli has clocked one ton and two fifties. Kohli owns the highest number of fours (29). Kohli hit 21 versus CSK in the opener. He registered scores worth 77 and 83* versus PBKS and KKR before slamming 22 versus LSG.
RCB manage 183/3 versus RR
RCB managed 183/3 in 20 overs after being sent to bat. Du Plessis managed a 33-ball 44 upfront. Kohli did the heavy lifting. Glenn Maxwell (1) failed once again. For RR, Chahal was solid and claimed 2/34 from his four overs.
Decoding key stats from Kohli's innings versus RR
Kohli scored 67 runs against pacers from 39 balls at a strike rate worth 171.79. He smashed 11 fours and a six. Kohli was pretty slow against the spinners, scoring 46 from 33) balls. He hit one four and three sixes. As per Cricbuzz, Kohli has hit the joint-slowest century (67 balls) in IPL history. Manish Pandey hit a 67-ball ton in 2009.
