Former Mumbai Indians and New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has made a big prediction about RCB’s experienced batsman Virat Kohli. McClenaghan praised the former RCB captain and lauded his consistency.
Kohli is one of only two players to play at least one match in all 19 IPL seasons. During RCB’s 9-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on Monday, Kohli scored an unbeaten 23 and became the first player to reach 9,000 runs in the IPL.
Hunger brings out the best in him every year – Michelle McClenaghan on Virat Kohli
McClenaghan talked about Virat Kohli’s impressive ability to be able to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the T20 game.
“Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Getting 9,000 IPL runs against the best bowlers in the world is no easy task. It’s about hunger, discipline and adapting every year and that’s what brings out the best in him,” McClenaghan said on GeoHotstar.
McClenaghan highlighted the fact that Kohli has batted at different positions in his career and how he was able to come up the ranks, even if it was in the same franchise where he was from the beginning. McClenaghan ultimately predicted Virat Kohli to finish his IPL career with over 10,000 runs.
“He didn’t start his career as an opening batsman. He batted in the lower middle order, fought for his place, then moved to number three. Later, he opened with Chris Gayle. That changed his game completely. He will reach 10,000 runs soon, no doubt.”
McClenaghan concluded, “Kohli is the greatest batsman the IPL has ever seen, not just for the runs but how he has evolved and dominated in different eras.” Towards the end of the 2024 season, Kohli became the first batsman to score 8,000 IPL runs.
Virat Kohli in IPL
Kohli has had a lot of success so far in this year’s tournament. With 351 runs, he is fourth in the Orange Cap list. His runs have come at a very non-Kohliesque strike rate of 163 and a healthy average of 58.5.
Kohli also won the Player of the Match award for his innings of 81 runs against Gujarat Titans on 24 April. He has already won the Orange Cap twice this season and is a serious contender for it.
Throughout his IPL career, Kohli has been extremely consistent in scoring runs. He has the most runs, most fifties, most centuries and most fours in IPL history. He also holds the record for scoring most runs in an IPL season.
rcb in ipl 2026
RCB has been one of the teams to beat in this year’s tournament. With 6 wins from 8 matches, RCB are second on the points table, and the healthy win against Delhi Capitals gave them the best NRR in the league.
RCB will once again face Gujarat Titans in their next match. It will be organized on 30th April in Ahmedabad. RCB has already defeated the Titans once in IPL 2026.
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