'He’s the greatest IPL batter, will soon reach 10,000 runs': Virat Kohli leaves ex-Mumbai Indians star awestruck

Former Mumbai Indians and New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has made a bold prediction regarding RCB's veteran batter Virat Kohli. McClenaghan praised the former RCB captain and hailed his consistency.

Kohli is one of only two players to play at least one match in all 19 IPL seasons. During RCB's 9-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on Monday, Kohli made an unbeaten 23 and became the first player to reach 9,000 runs in the IPL.

The hunger brings out the best in him every year- Mitchell McClenaghan on Virat Kohli

McClenaghan talked about Virat Kohli's impressive ability to be able to adapt with the ever-changing needs of the T20 game.

"Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Scoring 9,000 IPL runs against the world's best bowlers is no easy task. It's about hunger, discipline, and adapting every year, and that's what brings the best out of him," McClenaghan said on JioHotstar.

McClenaghan highlighted the fact that Kohli has batted at various positions in his career and how he was able to come through the ranks, even if it was at the franchise where he was since the beginning. McClenaghan eventually made his prediction about Virat Kohli finishing his IPL career with over 10,000 runs.

"He didn't start his career as an opener. He batted in the lower middle order, fought for his place, then moved to number three. Later, he opened with Chris Gayle. That changed his game completely. He will soon reach 10,000 runs, without a doubt."

"Kohli is the greatest batter the IPL has ever seen, not just for the runs, but for how he has evolved and dominated across different eras," McClenaghan concluded. Near the end of the 2024 season, Kohli had become the first batter to make 8,000 IPL runs.

Virat Kohli in IPL

So far, Kohli has enjoyed a great deal of success in this year's tournament. With 351 runs, he is fourth on the Orange Cap list. His runs have come at a very non-Kohliesque strike rate of 163 and a healthy average of 58.5.

Kohli also won one Player of the Match award for his 81 against the Gujarat Titans on April 24. He has held the Orange Cap twice this season already and is a serious contender for it.

Over his IPL career, Kohli has been extremely consistent in accumulating runs. He has the most runs, most fifties, most centuries, and most fours in IPL history. He also holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season.

RCB in IPL 2026

RCB have been one of the teams to beat in this year's tournament. With 6 wins in 8 matches, RCB are second on the points table, and the healthy win against Delhi Capitals gave them the best NRR in the league.

RCB will face the Gujarat Titans once again in their next match. It will be held in Ahmedabad on April 30. RCB have already defeated the Titans once in IPL 2026.

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