Virat Kohli’s ninth IPL hundred, struck in Raipur on Wednesday night, has nudged the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter to third on the season’s Orange Cap ladder. The 35-year-old peeled off 113* from 64 balls, guiding RCB past Kolkata Knight Riders’ 193 with four deliveries to spare. His tally now sits at 484 runs from 12 innings, scoring at 165.75. Only B Sai Sudharsan (501) and Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen (508) are in front.
“It’s been about sticking to my options, not chasing every ball,” Kohli said afterwards. “The younger lads keep reminding me to enjoy it, and that’s helped.” RCB batting coach Neil McKenzie was blunter: “When Virat gets into the nineties you start packing the laptop – you know what’s coming.”
Just behind Kohli, SRH opener Abhishek Sharma (481) continues to surprise. KL Rahul, moved to Delhi Capitals this season, is on 477, while Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has 467.
Purple Cap shuffle
The bowlers’ chart changed hands earlier in the evening. Sunrisers seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar collected 1 for 34 against KKR, taking him to 22 wickets and nudging ahead of Punjab Kings quick Kagiso Rabada (21). “I’m landing the wobble seam a bit better this year,” Bhuvneshwar admitted. “On flat pitches you need every little trick.”
Chennai all-rounder Anshul Kamboj sits third with 19, followed by a log-jam on 16: Lucknow’s Prince Yadav, Titans leg-spinner Rashid Khan, Knight Riders pacer Kartik Tyagi and SRH left-armer Eshan Malinga.
Key numbers at a glance
• Tournament MVP standings still led by Klaasen, courtesy of batting plus 20 dismissals behind the stumps.
• Best strike-rates: Tristan Stubbs (214.28) heads the list, though he has only faced 168 balls.
• Most catches: GT’s Rahul Tewatia (13) continues to find safe hands in the deep.
• Most 50+ scores: Kohli’s five put him level with Gill and Sudharsan.
Quick context, then the bigger picture
RCB’s win keeps them on the fringes of the top four – “We probably need three from three,” captain Faf du Plessis conceded – while KKR remain comfortably placed in second despite the defeat. For Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar’s form is a timely boost with playoffs looming; Rabada, though, has two games in hand and usually finishes strong.
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan offered a measured view on the host broadcaster: “Purple Caps are nice, but you’d rather take four tidy overs in a knockout. Both Bhuvi and KG know that.” The reminder is useful. Individual charts are fun, but trophies still hinge on how those numbers translate when the pressure ratchets up.
Next fixtures
• RCB travel to Ahmedabad on Friday.
• KKR host Punjab the following evening.
Plenty of movement still to come – and, if the last fortnight is any guide, one more big innings or a four-for could shuffle both tables all over again.
