Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma produced a standout moment in IPL history on Sunday by drawing level with MS Dhoni’s record for the most appearances in the tournament. Both players were named in the starting XIs for the IPL 2026 fixture between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, and their presence in the match took each of them to 278 IPL games, matching the Chennai Super Kings icon’s landmark total.
How Kohli and Rohit matched Dhoni’s appearance mark
- Kohli and Rohit were both included in the playing XI for the IPL 2026 game between RCB and MI.
- With their participation, each reached 278 matches in IPL history, equalling MS Dhoni’s long-standing record.
- Dhoni’s absence from IPL 2026—he has not played a single game so far—has created the opening for Kohli and Rohit to catch up.
- There is a strong possibility that both could go past Dhoni later in the season if the wicket-keeper batter continues to miss games.
The picture has been shaped by how often each star has taken the field this season. Kohli has turned out in all 11 of RCB’s matches in IPL 2026. Rohit, in contrast, has appeared in only six outings after suffering a hamstring injury mid-season.
That split in availability is also why both batters ended up on the same total number of IPL games in their careers, enabling them to equal Dhoni’s appearances record together.
Career journeys and IPL franchises
Kohli’s IPL path has been entirely tied to a single franchise: he has played his whole IPL career with RCB. Rohit’s route has been different. He spent his first three years in the tournament with the now-defunct Deccan Chargers.
Dhoni, meanwhile, added another chapter during the CSK ban years. He played for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017, seasons when Chennai Super Kings were not part of the competition.
Run-scoring and title credentials
Beyond appearances, the three legends also sit near the top of the IPL run-scoring charts. Kohli holds the record as the tournament’s highest run-getter. Rohit is positioned as the clear second-highest scorer. Dhoni, who typically bats in the lower middle order, is seventh on the all-time list.
When it comes to trophies, Rohit has six IPL titles to his name—one with Deccan Chargers and five as the leader of Mumbai Indians. Dhoni’s record includes five IPL championships as captain of CSK.
Kohli’s title story has also continued to evolve: after breaking an 18-year wait for silverware, he won his first trophy in IPL 2025.
