Virat Kohli Shines in IPL 2026 Opener with Record-Breaking Performance

In the IPL 2026 opener, Virat Kohli showcased his exceptional talent, leading RCB to a six-wicket victory while breaking multiple records. He became the first player to score 4000 runs in IPL run chases and surpassed Rohit Sharma's record for most runs at a single venue. Kohli's unbeaten 69 runs included a remarkable partnership with Devdutt Paddikal, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Explore the details of his historic performance and the records he shattered during the match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 00:02 IST

Kohli's Stellar Start to IPL 2026

Virat Kohli kicked off the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season in spectacular fashion, mirroring his impressive form from the previous year. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) commenced their title defense with a commanding six-wicket win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28, achieving the target with 27 balls remaining. Kohli emerged as the leading scorer for RCB, contributing an unbeaten 69 runs, which included five boundaries and five sixes, as they successfully chased down a daunting total of 202 runs. This match marked the beginning of Kohli's record-extending 19th consecutive season with RCB, where he opened the batting and formed a significant 101-run partnership with Devdutt Paddikal, who scored 61 runs off just 25 balls. Kohli concluded the innings with an impressive display, hitting four consecutive boundaries off Harshal Patel's bowling.

Kohli Achieves Historic Milestones

During his innings, Kohli reached a remarkable milestone by becoming the first player in IPL history to accumulate 4000 runs in run chases. This achievement sets him apart, as no other player has even surpassed 3500 runs in this category. Below are the top players in IPL history for runs scored while chasing:

Most Runs in IPL History While Chasing

Player	Runs	Innings Played
Virat Kohli	4027	132
David Warner	3285	97
Rohit Sharma	3238	133
Shikhar Dhawan	2843	94
Robin Uthappa	2832	119

Additionally, Kohli surpassed his Indian teammate Rohit Sharma's record for the most runs scored at a single venue in IPL history during the second innings. He is the only player to have amassed over 1000 runs at the same ground while chasing. Here are the leading players for runs scored while chasing at one ground:

Most Runs While Chasing At One Ground In IPL History

Player	Runs	Ground
Virat Kohli	1288	Bengaluru
Rohit Sharma	1265	Mumbai (Wankhede)
Ab de Villiers	774	Bengaluru
Suryakumar Yadav	772	Mumbai (Wankhede)
David Warner	715	Hyderabad

This match also marked Kohli's 10th score of 50 or more runs while chasing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, making him the first player to achieve this milestone in Bengaluru. Only Rohit Sharma has matched this feat at Wankhede Stadium. Kohli continues to hold the records for the most runs, centuries, and fifty-plus scores in IPL history at a single venue.