Virat Kohli is the only player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to feature for one franchise since the start of the tournament. This unparalleled Franchise Loyalty makes him the ultimate One-Team Player.

The right-handed batter, who is the All-time Leading Scorer of the IPL with the help of 8661 runs... at a Career Average of 39.54 and a Strike Rate Metric of 132.85, scoring 63 half-centuries and eight centuries... kept playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from the Inaugural IPL Season (2008).

Kohli’s breakout season in the IPL for the RCB side came in 2011 when he drilled 557 runs in 16 innings at an average of 46.41 and a strike rate of 121.08 with four fifties, showcasing his early batting consistency.

However, his best edition overall in the league came in 2016 when he collected an unprecedented tally of 973 runs in 16 innings at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, thanks to seven fifties and four centuries, securing the IPL Orange Cap and setting one of the greatest IPL Single Season Records.

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“There are great people and then there are people who are the heartbeat of a nation! Virat Kohli hasn’t just represented India. He is the face of cricket. He didn’t just wear the jersey; he gave it a meaning, a purpose.” The video was released by the franchise on Kohli.

Watch Now: RCB Honors Virat Kohli's 37th Birthday with Special Video

Kohli kept trying with the bat to win the IPL for the Bengaluru side, and he finally secured their Maiden IPL Title in 2025. He achieved this RCB Championship Victory by smashing an impressive run tally of 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71 with eight fifties at the best score of 73*.

Apart from 2022, his remarkable IPL Consistency is highlighted by crossing the 400-run mark in every IPL season since 2018, demonstrating his sustained high-level T20 Batting Form.

He’s the reason why cricket feels personal! He’s not just a great cricketer, he’s a phenomenon. ❤️ 🫡

🎥 A little tribute to Virat Kohli, who conquered it all and became the undisputed king of cricket. 👑🙇🏼‍♂️#HappyBirthdayViratKohli #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/wpEe0A3Ntp

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) November 5, 2025

“When we finally won the IPL and Virat’s tears flowed, it wasn’t just his emotion. Didn’t it feel like it was ours too? Because we weren’t just watching a cricketer. We were watching someone who carried belief longer than most people carry dreams.” The video from RCB was posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Apart from the IPL success, Kohli is the second leading run-getter in ODI cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar. He has smashed 14255 runs in 293 innings at an average of 57.71 and a strike rate of 93.26 with 75 fifties and 51 centuries at the best score of 183 runs.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which player is the only one to play for a single IPL franchise since the tournament's start?

Virat Kohli is the only player in IPL history to feature for one franchise, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), since the inaugural season in 2008.

In which year did Virat Kohli lead RCB to their first-ever IPL title?

Virat Kohli secured Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden IPL title in 2025, scoring an impressive 657 runs in the season.

What is Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season?

Kohli holds the IPL record for the most runs in a single season, accumulating an unprecedented tally of 973 runs in the 2016 edition.

What is Virat Kohli's all-time leading run total in the IPL?

Virat Kohli is the All-time Leading Scorer of the IPL with a total of 8661 runs as of the end of the 2025 season.