Aoba Tanaka 
Virat Kohli, the legendary cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team, kicked off the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a monumental achievement, surpassing 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. The historic moment occurred during the inaugural match of the season between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Before the match on Friday, Kohli’s tally of T20 runs stood tantalizingly close at 11,994 runs, requiring just six more to reach the illustrious milestone. Despite facing a challenging start and losing partners early in the innings, Kohli remained steadfast in his pursuit.
After a quick cameo by RCB’s skipper and opening batsman, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli found himself in a position where he needed to anchor the innings. Facing only eight deliveries in the first seven overs, Kohli patiently waited for his opportunity to make history.
Finally, in the ninth over bowled by CSK’s Sri Lankan skipper, Maheesh Theekshana, Kohli seized the moment and completed his 12,000th T20 run with a well-timed couple. This remarkable feat came in Kohli’s 377th T20 match and 360th innings, showcasing his consistency and prowess in the shortest format of the game.
Notably, Kohli’s achievement adds another feather to his illustrious cap, which already includes eight centuries and 91 fifties in T20 cricket. Among his T20 runs, Kohli has contributed significantly to the Indian team’s success, scoring 4,037 runs in T20 internationals, along with valuable contributions for his state team Delhi, Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Currently, Kohli stands as the sixth-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket, with former West Indies opener Chris Gayle leading the list. However, Kohli’s milestone further solidifies his status as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game.
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