IPL 2026 | 'If anyone can challenge Virat Kohli, it's ... ': Ex-India star calls RCB stalwart's IPL record 'stepping stone'
Virat Kohli became the first batter to cross 9,000 IPL runs, further cementing his legacy of consistency and dominance. Irfan Pathan said the milestone is “just a stepping stone” for Kohli. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kohli played an unbeaten, match-winning knock.
With eight centuries, strong form, and Orange Cap contention, he remains central to RCB’s success this season and their strong playoff push.
NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s talisman continues to redefine longevity and excellence in the IPL, and this latest milestone only adds to his towering legacy. Virat Kohli, already the league’s most prolific run-scorer, became the first batter to breach the 9,000-run mark, a feat that underlines both his consistency and hunger across seasons. "If anyone can challenge Virat Kohli, it's none other than Virat Kohli himself.
That's why in the IPL, this 9000-run Mount Everest is just a stepping stone for him, not the destination," Irfan Pathan wrote on X. — IrfanPathan (@IrfanPathan) The landmark moment arrived in familiar territory, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, adding a layer of sentiment to an already historic night. Kohli played a composed yet authoritative hand in the chase, finishing unbeaten and sealing the win in style with consecutive sixes.
It was another reminder that while records follow him, his primary focus remains winning games. With over 9,000 runs now to his name, built on a strong average and sustained strike rate, Kohli’s IPL journey is less about isolated peaks and more about relentless accumulation. Eight centuries and dozens of half-centuries speak to his adaptability across match situations and evolving formats of T20 batting.