RCB vs DC: Virat Kohli LEVELS KL Rahul's massive record after his 92-run knock against Punjab Kings

Updated - 10 May 2024, 02:26 PM

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul (Image Credits: Twitter)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli equaled Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul's massive batting record during the 58th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Virat Kohli surpassed 600 runs four times in a season in the history of the marquee tournament.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a convincing 60-run victory against the Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday, May 9. Virat Kohli scored 92 runs off 47 deliveries, including seven boundaries and six sixes, as RCB posted a total of 241-7.

The former RCB skipper fell short of his ninth IPL century as he was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in the 18th over. During his knock, the right-handed batter completed the 600-run mark in the ongoing season. It marked Virat Kohli's fourth 600+ run season in the history of India's T20 tournament.

Virat Kohli Equals KL Rahul's Record

Virat Kohli equaled KL Rahul's record of four 600+ run seasons in the IPL. Rahul achieved this feat by amassing a total of 659 runs in 2018, 670 in 2020, 626 in 2021, and 616 in 2022. Kohli scored 634 runs in 2013, 973 in 2016, 639 in 2023, and has amassed 634 runs in the IPL 2024 season.

Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle and star Australian batter David Warner scored 600+ runs in three IPL seasons. Meanwhile, South African cricketer Faf du Plessis achieved the feat of crossing the 600-run mark in two IPL seasons.

Most 600+ run seasons in IPL

Player Seasons
Virat Kohli 4
KL Rahul 4
Chris Gayle 3
David Warner 3
Faf du Plessis 2

Important To Keep My Strike Rate Up - Virat Kohli

In the mid-match show, Virat Kohli responded with sarcasm regarding his strike rate. The 35-year-old batter stated that he wanted to maintain a high strike rate throughout his innings to sustain momentum for the team.

"It was important to keep my strike rate up right through the innings (laughs). So, I was just focused on taking the momentum forward for the team," Kohli said.

"There was a bit of tricky phase when Rajat got, we're three down and then the bit of rain and hail came in, so we had a bit off stop-up momentum. We had to rebuild for about 8-10 balls and then once the base was set, Cameron [Green] got a few boundaries, I thought, yeah, I've to go again," he added.

The Delhi-born cricketer is the leading run scorer in the ongoing marquee tournament. The former RCB skipper has scored 634 runs in 12 matches at an average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51, including a century and five 50s. He has scored 93 runs more than second-placed Ruturaj Gaikwad

Virat Kohli will be next seen in action when the Faf du Plessis-led team faces the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 12. The Bengaluru team is currently in contention for the playoffs race, but chances are low.

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