IPL 2026 | 'If anyone can challenge Virat Kohli, it's ... ': Ex-India star calls RCB stalwart's IPL record 'stepping stone'

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s talisman continues to redefine longevity and excellence in the IPL, and this latest milestone only adds to his towering legacy.

Virat Kohli, already the league’s most prolific run-scorer, became the first batter to breach the 9,000-run mark, a feat that underlines both his consistency and hunger across seasons.

"If anyone can challenge Virat Kohli, it's none other than Virat Kohli himself. That's why in the IPL, this 9000-run Mount Everest is just a stepping stone for him, not the destination," Irfan Pathan wrote on X.

The landmark moment arrived in familiar territory, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, adding a layer of sentiment to an already historic night.

Kohli played a composed yet authoritative hand in the chase, finishing unbeaten and sealing the win in style with consecutive sixes. It was another reminder that while records follow him, his primary focus remains winning games.

With over 9,000 runs now to his name, built on a strong average and sustained strike rate, Kohli’s IPL journey is less about isolated peaks and more about relentless accumulation.

Eight centuries and dozens of half-centuries speak to his adaptability across match situations and evolving formats of T20 batting.

This season, he remains firmly in contention for the Orange Cap, combining fluency with control. His ability to accelerate without compromising stability has been central to RCB’s strong campaign so far.

The team’s dominant win over Delhi Capitals reflected a complete performance. Clinical bowling dismantled the opposition early, setting up a straightforward chase that the batting unit completed with aggressive intent. Contributions from the top order ensured there were no hiccups.

With six wins in eight matches, RCB look like serious contenders. And at the heart of their charge is Kohli, still evolving, still driven, and, as Pathan suggested, perhaps still chasing standards only he can set.