If the Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2024 opener was being played on a stage instead of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, there would not have been many takers for the spotlight operator. Who would want to choose between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli?
Dhoni decided to hand over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad a day before the grand opener of the 17th season and is making a comeback to the cricket field after close to 11 months. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, is making his first appearance in a cricket match since the India vs Afghanistan T20I earlier this year.
Virat Kohli Completes 12000 Runs in T20 Cricket
He needed six runs in the CSK match to reach the milestone and he got there with a single off Ravindra Jadeja’s ball in the 7th over on Friday. He took 377 matches, becoming the second fastest to 12000 T20 runs after Gayle reached the feat in 353 matches. Kohli is sixth in the list of top run-getters in all T20s behind Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, and David Warner. Virat Kohli, however, is the only one who averages over 40.
Virat Kohli Is The Highest Run Getter In IPL
Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in IPL of all time. In 239 matches and 230 innings, the India talisman batter has scored 7284 runs at an average of 37.24, with a strike rate of 130.02. His best score is 113. He has scored seven centuries, most by a batter and 50 fifties in his IPL career. Kohli also became the second batter to score 1000 runs against the Chennai-based franchise in IPL. He took 32 matches to reach the feat.
Kohli Missed The Chance To Smash 100 50+ Scores
The 35-year-old, however, missed the chance to become the first Indian batter to smash 100 50+ scores in T20s and third overall. Last season, the legendary batter was the fourth-highest run-getter, piling up 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. His best score was 101*. The 35-year-old scored two centuries and six fifties but could not take his side to the playoffs.