Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener, showcased his brilliance by scoring his ninth IPL century against Kolkata Knight Riders in Raipur. In doing so, he also became the fastest player to reach 14,000 runs in T20 cricket. Prior to this match, Kohli had faced criticism for registering consecutive ducks, but he silenced his critics with a spectacular performance.
Kohli’s unbeaten knock of 105 off just 60 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries and three sixes, played a crucial role in RCB’s successful chase of 192 against KKR. This century was Kohli’s second against KKR and his first since 2024. Additionally, his impressive display propelled him back into the top five of the IPL 2026 Orange Cap standings, with 484 runs at an average of 53.77 in the tournament.
By surpassing the milestone of 14,000 runs, Kohli joined an elite group of batters that includes Alex Hales, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Jos Buttler, and Chris Gayle. This achievement further solidifies Kohli’s reputation as one of the greatest T20 players in the world.
The match against KKR on May 14, 2026, will be remembered as a defining moment in Kohli’s career, as he not only showcased his exceptional batting skills but also demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure and silence his critics.
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