The cricketing world witnessed yet another historic feat as Virat Kohli’s aggressive innings, albeit short, against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Match No 36 of the IPL 2024 edition, not only captured the headlines but also saw the superstar batsman etch his name in the annals of T20 cricket history. Kohli, who entered the game with a whopping 248 sixes under his belt in the IPL, conquered the 250-six milestone and joined the league of extraordinary hitters as only the fourth player to do so.
Chris Gayle leads the charge with an unmatched 357 sixes, followed by Rohit Sharma with 275, and AB de Villiers with 251. But Kohli’s exploits didn’t stop at the IPL. In the wider world of T20 cricket, his prowess for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been incomparable. As he soared past the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle, Kohli’s tally for RCB, now standing at 264 maximums in 260 matches, set a new world record for the most sixes hit by a player for a single team in T20 cricket — a testament to his consistency and longevity in the format.
While Kohli reached this monumental count, other seasoned campaigners trail behind, with MS Dhoni holding 243 sixes for the Chennai Super Kings, Kieron Pollard with 258 for the Mumbai Indians, and both Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers amassing 240 sixes for the Mumbai Indians and RCB respectively.
Virat Kohli’s record-breaking journey has been nothing short of phenomenal. His boundary-clearing hits have come across 245 matches, illustrating his role as a mainstay in his franchise’s batting lineup. His achievements stand alongside those of the most revered hitters in the game, with Gayle achieving his unparalleled tally in 142 matches, Sharma in 250, and de Villiers in a mere 184.
Noteworthy moments from the match saw Kohli’s visible frustration when adjudged out off a controversial high full toss. His heated reaction was evident for all to watch as the usually collected batter contested the umpire’s decision and vented his vexation by striking a dustbin. However, despite his vehement protests and the drama that ensued, replays and rules affirmed his dismissal.
His fury aside, the match against KKR was a gripping affair that culminated in a nail-biting finish. RCB fought valiantly, but ultimately, they succumbed to defeat by a narrow margin of just one run on the final ball. The spectacle was a reminder of the thrills and spills of the IPL and further proof of Kohli’s undying commitment to his team’s cause.
As cricket fans around the world bear witness to Virat Kohli’s sensational journey, his name is continually etched deeper in the record books. His latest achievement not only highlights his individual brilliance but also cements his role as a vanguard of the modern power-hitter in cricket’s most explosive format. The sight of Kohli dispatching the ball into the stands has become a familiar one, and with the RCB star still active in the game, the cricketing fraternity can expect more fireworks and perhaps even more records to tumble in the games to come.
