The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the champions of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They defeated the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final with Virat Kohli playing a sensational knock in yet another run chase for the side. Rajat Patidar’s side created history as they won the trophies in two consecutive seasons, joining hands with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Virat Kohli was excellent throughout the season, as he was the leading run-getter for the franchise and played in a totally different style in the recently concluded edition of the IPL. He played more aggressively while opening the batting and silenced his critics who used to slam him for his strike rate in the shorter format of the game.
Virat Kohli is key for RCB’s success
Virat Kohli, in this season, finished off with 675 runs in 16 matches with a phenomenal average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.85, smashing five half-centuries and one century, which came in a run chase against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This season, Virat broke several records, becoming the first batter to score 9,000 IPL runs.
Except for that, Virat Kohli has also been the leading run scorer of all time in the IPL, scoring 9,336 runs. He also has the most centuries (9) in the history of the competition, and he became the first batter in IPL history to score 600-plus runs in four consecutive seasons.
Kohli’s IPL 2026 records
The former captain surpassed his own record by taking his tally against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to 1,215 runs, the highest by any player against a single IPL team. Kohli also holds the record for scoring the most runs in a single season (973) back in 2016.
Praising Virat Kohli’s hunger and determination, RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat has called him unique and also stated that Virat sets an example for the whole team with high intensity on and off the field and that he works as a flag bearer for the side.
I think everybody knows what Virat is capable of- Mo Bobat on Virat Kohli
“Virat, in very different ways, is also incredibly unique. I think everybody knows what Virat is capable of and what he means to this franchise. He’s scored, I think, 670-odd runs this season at a strike rate of about 165. Not many players are doing that or better in the league. I think it’s fair to say that in the latter half of his career, he’s still adapting, growing, improving, and setting the standard,” Bobat said in a video shared by RCB.
Bobat further added, “But in particular, there are two things that Andy and I really appreciate about him. Number one, Andy and I never really have to spend too much energy providing intensity to the group. Virat provides that intensity often. He doesn’t really do second or third gear, so that’s great.”
“The other thing about Virat is that he’s a standard-bearer. Players don’t practise sloppily because he doesn’t practise sloppily. Players get in the gym and do their prep work because they see him doing the same. They contribute in meetings because he’s switched on in meetings. Whatever it is, if he’s the standard-bearer and he is this icon, the others have to follow.”
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Author: Author CricketAddictor
