Virat Kohli scripts all-time T20 record, leaves Babar Azam and Chris Gayle behind
Virat Kohli has etched his name in T20 cricket history, now holding the record for the most 50-plus partnerships. This latest milestone was achieved during the IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he and Venkatesh Iyer forged another significant opening stand. Kohli's remarkable consistency continues to set new benchmarks in the sport.
NEW DELHI: With already a mountain of records to his name, Virat Kohli added yet another milestone to his glittering career during the IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday. Kohli became the batter involved in the most 50-plus partnerships in men’s T20 cricket history. The RCB superstar achieved the feat after stitching together another fifty-plus opening stand with Venkatesh Iyer against SRH.
The partnership once again gave RCB a flying start before Venkatesh fell for a blazing 44 off just 19 balls, dismissed by Eshan Malinga. With this stand, Kohli took his tally to 211 fifty-plus partnerships in men’s T20s — the highest ever. He went past England batter Alex Hales, who sits second with 210 such stands.
Former David Warner opener occupies third place with 200, followed by Babar Azam with 196 and T20 legend Chris Gayle with 191. Batters involved in most 50-plus stands in Men’s T20s 211* — Virat Kohli 210 — Alex Hales 200 — David Warner 196 — Babar Azam 191 — Chris Gayle Earlier in the evening, Sunrisers Hyderabad piled up a mammoth 255/4 against RCB, riding on explosive knocks from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen in front of a packed Hyderabad crowd. Kishan (79) top-scored for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
SRH were also well served by half-centuries from Abhishek (56) and Klaasen (51). Kishan and Klaasen put on 113 runs for the third wicket in what turned out to be a successful outing for the SRH batters. For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar was pick among the bowlers taking 2/52.