Virat Kohli has added another landmark to his IPL legacy, becoming the first batter to reach 9,000 runs in the league. He achieved the milestone in a match against the Delhi Capitals, reaching the number during his innings and underlining once again how consistently he has delivered across seasons. The achievement places him at the very top of the IPL’s all-time run chart, while also placing him first among players for a single franchise in T20 cricket—an accomplishment that extends beyond domestic competitions worldwide. Even when the wider landscape of T20 leagues is considered, Kohli still leads the tally for the most runs amassed in league tournament cricket, a reflection of both his temperament and his long-term commitment to the format.
The IPL, which began in 2008, is widely viewed as the most established and prestigious T20 league on the planet. Kohli’s status within it has been strengthened by the rare durability of his career: he is one of only four cricketers to appear in every IPL season from 2008 through 2026. The others are Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, and Manish Pandey. Having that kind of uninterrupted presence over such a long span has helped Kohli cement his reputation as one of the most complete T20 batters the format has seen, and it has played a major role in his eventual rise to the top of the IPL run-scoring record.
Major T20 leagues around the world
With Kohli already at the pinnacle in the IPL, it is natural to look outward and see how other franchise tournaments stack up globally. Over the years, several major T20 leagues have taken shape, drawing elite players into high-pressure environments and creating their own set of record-holders. These include the Big Bash League in Australia (since 2011), the Bangladesh Premier League (since 2012), the Caribbean Premier League in the West Indies (since 2013), the Pakistan Super League (since 2016), Sri Lanka’s Lanka Premier League (since 2020), South Africa’s SA20 (since 2023), Major League Cricket in the USA (since 2023), and the ILT20 in the UAE (since 2024). Each tournament has grown its own identity, while repeatedly producing batsmen who define eras for their teams and leagues.
Below is a snapshot of the leading run-scorer for each of these T20 league tournaments, highlighting the players who have shaped their competitions across the years:
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IPL — Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), 9012 runs
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PSL — Babar Azam (Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi), 4337 runs
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BBL — Chris Lynn (Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat), 4133 runs
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BPL — Tamim Iqbal (Chittagong Kings, Chittagong Vikings, Comilla Victorians, Dhaka Platoon, Duronto Rajshahi, Fortune Barishal, Khulna Tigers, Minister Group Dhaka), 3835 runs
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CPL — Johnson Charles (Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Royals, Barbados Tridents, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Kings, St Lucia Stars, St Lucia Zouks), 3519 runs
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LPL — Avishka Fernando (Dambulla Aura, Jaffna Kings, Jaffna Stallions), 1544 runs
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SA20 — Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town), 1349 runs
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MLC — Tom Banton (Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates), 989 runs
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ILT20 — Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings), 888 runs
As Kohli continues to set the benchmark in the IPL, fans can keep track of the latest developments around the league, including live scores and match updates, along with the IPL schedule, points table, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
