Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the best player in the IPL's history, but some iconic records remain out of his reach
Against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
on the evening of May 13, Virat Kohli scored 105 runs in 60 balls to give his side, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the required victory, keeping their position tight for the playoffs. Having gone out for ducks in the previous two matches, Kohli silenced critics with another of his classic run chases. Time and again, Kohli has proved why he is the best batter in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, despite so many records in his favour, some exclusives remain out of his reach.
Highest individual score
Virat Kohli has now crossed 400+ runs in the IPL for the 12th time, the most by any batter in IPL history.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) May 13, 2026
The next best? Just 9 times each by Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, David Warner, and Rohit Sharma.
That’s insane consistency. The man just keeps showing up season after… pic.twitter.com/jEe1S1E1gQ
In IPL’s history, this record belongs to Chris Gayle, who scored 175 runs against Pune Warriors in 2013. In Kohli’s IPL career, his highest individual score remains 113 runs, which he scored twice in 2024 and 2016. When it comes to the highest individual score by an Indian batter, KL Rahul holds the record with 152 runs. Rahul’s 152 runs may still be reachable for Kohli, but 175 runs? We believe Kohli will never break this record.
Most sixes
Another record that belongs to Chris Gayle, the former West Indies hitter, leads the table with 357 sixes in the tournament’s history. Kohli is merely 49 sixes away, but in our book of thoughts, this feat is another record that may remain out of Kohli’s reach. After all, in 2026 so far, Kohli has hit only six maximums. Even if he ends up hitting 10 or even 15 sixes, he will need another 3-4 IPL seasons to break the record. Turning 38 this November, Kohli may not stick around for that long.
Fastest IPL century
Chris Gayle's record of fastest Hundred in IPL history is safe now.
- With this madness of Head, Universe Boss records still remains at the Top. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BNrKiY3Hgl— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 20, 2024
Even at his prime, i.e., the 2016 season, when Virat scored 973 runs, his strike rate was 152.03, and his highest individual score that season was 113. Therefore, Chris Gayle’s record of the fastest IPL century, which is 100 runs in 30 balls, may be beyond Kohli’s reach. Even the record for fastest IPL 50 may never be in Kohli’s name.
Most Orange Caps
Virat Kohli enters again in Orange Cap Leaderboard.🤯 pic.twitter.com/B47HV3zHTc
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 13, 2026
Virat Kohli has two Orange Caps to his name, but David Warner leads the way with three caps. Kohli needs two more to break Warner’s record, but given how youngsters are racking up runs, Kohli may not win two more. His last Orange Cap was in 2024, but given his age and the league’s competition, it seems unlikely that he will win two more.
MVP Award
Last but not least, Kohli has only one MVP award in his IPL career, whereas Sunil Narine leads the way with three. To surpass Narine’s record, Kohli will have to recreate the theatrics of 2016 in three more seasons, which seems impossible. After all, hitting 900 runs or above in three more seasons will need more than a miracle from Kohli’s willow.
