Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli is set to return to the cricket field for the first time since January 2024 during the opening match of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22. His comeback carries the potential to rewrite the history books, propelling him to the summit of an unprecedented record.
Kohli’s last appearance was in the 3rd T20I match between India and Afghanistan in Bengaluru. Subsequently, he was absent from the recently concluded five-match Test series against England. During the match against Chennai on Friday, Kohli has the opportunity to achieve a significant milestone by scoring six runs, thereby becoming the first Indian cricketer to amass 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. Currently, the former Indian captain has accumulated 11,994 runs from 376 T20 matches.
Additionally, the 35-year-old has the chance to become the first Indian batsman to register 100 scores of 50 or more in T20 cricket, a feat achieved by only two players globally, namely Chris Gayle (110) and David Warner (109). Furthermore, Kohli has the opportunity to become the second batsman to score 1000 runs against the Chennai-based franchise in the IPL. With 985 runs in 31 matches, he requires just 15 runs to accomplish this remarkable milestone.
Kohli also holds the distinction of being the highest run-scorer in IPL history. Across 237 matches and 229 innings, the Indian stalwart has amassed 7263 runs at an average of 37.24, boasting a strike rate of 130.02. He has recorded seven centuries and 50 half-centuries in his IPL career, the most by any batsman.
In the previous season, Kohli emerged as the fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. Despite scoring two centuries and six half-centuries, he was unable to guide his team to the playoffs. The 17th season of the IPL commences on Friday, with defending champions Chennai set to face Bangalore in the Southern derby at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
