New Delhi: Virat Kohli Adding another milestone to his illustrious career, he overtook Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik to become the highest run-scorer in T20 cricket by an Asian batsman in the opening match of IPL 2026 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Opening the innings in pursuit of 202 runs, Kohli reached the milestone in style, crossing the country’s tally of 13,571 runs with a single in the eighth over. The Indian star achieved the feat in just his 415th T20 match, 557 matches in a two-decade career for the country.The latest milestone puts Kohli (13,612) sixth on the all-time list of T20 runs scored, led by Chris Gayle (14,562), followed by Kieron Pollard (14,482), Alex Hales (14,449), David Warner (14,063) and Jose Butler (13,845).
Most runs in T20 cricket
| the player | M | runs | H.S | Ave. | SR | 100s | The 50s |
| Chris Gayle | 463 | 14562 | 175* | 36.22 | 144.75 | 22 | 88 |
| Kieron Pollard | 735 | 14482 | 104 | 31.62 | 150.96 | 1 | 67 |
| Alex Hales | 528 | 14449 | 119* | 29.91 | 144.51 | 7 | 92 |
| David Warner | 433 | 14063 | 135* | 37.10 | 140.68 | 10 | 115 |
| Jose Butler | 493 | 13845 | 124 | 34.96 | 146.16 | 8 | 98 |
| Virat Kohli | 415 | 13612 | 122* | 42.14 | 134.85 | 9 | 106 |
| Shoaib Malik | 557 | 13571 | 95* | 35.99 | 127.24 | 0 | 83 |
Fluently achieved the landmark between knocks.Kohli’s record came in the midst of another composed innings. He remained unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls, guiding RCB to a dominant six-wicket win. His knock, studded with five fours and five sixes, underscored his enduring class at the top of the order.Speaking after the match, Kohli credited his recent rhythm and careful workload management. “Every time I come back to play, it’s 120 percent,” he said. I’m not coming back underprepared… the extra rest helps me mentally refresh.Reflecting on his long career, he added, “There was always the risk of burning out rather than being undercooked… these breaks help me stay fresh and excited.”Appreciate the pedicle, focus on team success.Kohli also praised Devdutt Padikal, who scored 61 off 26 balls. “Brilliant knock… it completely took the game away from the opposition,” Kohli said, adding that it encouraged the left-hander to continue the attack.Beyond the personal milestone, Kohli stressed his commitment to the team. “You don’t just want to stick to one place; you want to perform and contribute to the team’s cause,” he noted.With records constantly falling and his side building from strength to strength, Kohli’s latest success not only cements his legacy but also signals that he remains a dominant force in T20 cricket.
