New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) superstar Virat Kohli etched his name deeper into cricketing history by becoming the first batter ever to score 9000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The landmark moment came during RCB’s dominant clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, leaving fans and cricket pundits in awe.

Kohli, who has been the backbone of RCB since the inception of the IPL, required just 11 runs to reach the milestone. He achieved the feat with a single off Axar Patel, marking yet another historic chapter in his illustrious T20 career.

Kohli leads elite run-scorers list

With this achievement, Kohli has set a benchmark that may stand for years in the IPL. He now sits comfortably at the top of the tournament’s all-time run-scorers list, far ahead of his contemporaries. Rohit Sharma occupies the second spot with 7,183 runs, followed by Shikhar Dhawan with 6,769 runs. Australian stalwart David Warner has amassed 6,565 runs, while KL Rahul completes the top five with 5,579 runs.

Kohli’s consistency, longevity and unmatched hunger for runs have made him one of the greatest players in IPL history. His ability to anchor innings while maintaining an impressive strike rate has been crucial to RCB’s campaigns over the years.

RCB’s bowlers dismantle Delhi Capitals

The historic milestone was complemented by a clinical performance from RCB as they registered a commanding nine-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB’s pace attack wreaked havoc on the opposition.

Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a sensational spell, picking up three wickets for just 5 runs. He was brilliantly supported by Josh Hazlewood, who returned figures of 4 for 12. Their disciplined bowling ensured that Delhi Capitals never found any momentum in their innings.

Contributions also came from Rasikh Salam Dar and Suyash Sharma, who chipped in with one wicket each. The combined bowling effort saw Delhi Capitals being bundled out for just 75 runs, the lowest total recorded in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

Delhi Capitals collapse early

Delhi Capitals had a disastrous start, losing wickets in quick succession and slumping to 8 for 6 within the first four overs. The top-order collapse effectively sealed their fate early in the match.

Despite the early damage, Abishek Porel showed some resistance with a 30-run knock. David Miller contributed 19 runs, while Kyle Jamieson added 12 to lend some respectability to the total. However, the effort was far from enough to challenge a confident RCB side.

Comfortable chase seals big win

Chasing a modest target, RCB batters approached the innings with composure and intent. Devdutt Padikkal led the charge with a brisk 34, while Jacob Bethell contributed 20 runs. Kohli remained unbeaten on 23, calmly guiding his team to victory.

RCB completed the chase in just 6.3 overs, underlining their dominance in all departments. The emphatic win further strengthens their position in the tournament and boosts team morale.

Captain Patidar credits bowlers

Speaking after the match, RCB captain Rajat Patidar praised the bowlers for their match-winning performance.

“Absolutely. Even I am surprised the way the wicket played. All credit goes to the bowlers, Bhuvi and Hazlewood. They hit the right areas. The swing was normal but the good thing was we got early wickets and that kept us in the driving seat,” he said.

Patidar also highlighted the importance of consistency and teamwork in T20 cricket. “It is very important to follow your routines, we are taking it one game at a time. Different players are coming up and doing well. In T20 cricket, on flat pitches you need the bowling, because bowlers only can win you tournaments,” he added.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s historic milestone of 9000 IPL runs not only reinforces his legendary status but also sets a new gold standard in franchise cricket. Combined with RCB’s dominant performance, the match will be remembered as a defining moment in the IPL 2026 season. As the tournament progresses, Kohli’s form and leadership by example could prove pivotal in RCB’s quest for their maiden IPL title.