IPL 2022: In numbers – Virat Kohli’s IPL journey from record breaking 2016 season to now | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli – a batsman who over the years became synonymous with batting greatness. A prolific run machine at his peak, tagged the best chaser in the modern day game.
But as it happens with every great player, the purple patches are often followed by lean spells. Virat has set the benchmark so high over the years, thanks to how prolific he has been with the bat, a lean patch, especially if it’s a prolonged one, doesn’t sit ight with cricket fans.
Across the seasons, the IPL is one platform where Virat has really shone with the bat. He continues to be the highest run-getter overall in IPL history, with 6402 runs in 215 matches, at an average of 36.58 and an overall strike rate of almost 130.

(Photo: PTI/BCCI/IPL)
The IPL season that no cricket and especially RCB fan can ever forget, as far as Virat’s form is concerned, is 2016. The former India captain was on fire that year and scored a record four centuries. Virat’s great form that season also propelled RCB into the playoffs that season. They eventually lost to SRH in the final by a narrow 8 run margin.
That season, Virat scored a staggering 973 runs in 16 matches. Those numbers still help him hold the record for the most number of runs scored in a single season of the IPL. The most runs scored in one single season after that is 848, by David Warner, for SRH, also in 2016.
Before the 2016 season, Virat’s best IPL season was the 2013 season, when he scored 634 runs, at an average of 45.28 in 16 matches, with a highest score of 99.
Post that record breaking 2016 season Virat’s form with the bat in RCB colours has fluctuated quite a bit.

(Photo: PTI/BCCI/IPL)
Let’s take a look at what Virat Kohli the batsman has been like from 2016 till now in the IPL.
2016 – Becomes first batsman to score 4 centuries in a single IPL season – a record that still stands. Registers a highest score of 113 and has an overall average of 81.08, across 16 matches. Remains not out four times. Hits as many as 38 sixes. RCB reach the final, lose to SRH by 8 runs.
2017 – Misses the first four matches of the season due to a shoulder injury which he picked up in the third Test vs Australia in Ranchi. Plays a total of 10 games. Sharp dip in batting form compared to the previous season, though he smashes four fifties. Finishes with 308 runs, at an average of 30.80. Is dismissed every time he bats. RCB don’t make the playoffs.

(Photo Source: Twitter)
2018 – Has a much better season. Scores 530 runs in 14 league stage matches, at an average of 48.18. Remains not out three times and has a highest score of 92*. Scores four fifties again. RCB don’t make the playoffs.
2019 – The only other season where he has scored a century, apart from 2016. Finishes with a highest score of 100 and a total of 464 runs in 14 games, at an average of 33.14. Number of fifties scored goes down to two. RCB don’t make the playoffs.
2020 – Similar outing as 2018. Scores 466 runs in 15 matches, with a highest score of 90* and an average of 42.36. Hits three fifties. Remains unbeaten four times. RCB enter playoffs, lose to SRH in the Eliminator by 6 wickets

(Photo: AFP/BCCI/IPL)
2021 – Finishes the season with 405 runs in 15 games, a highest score of 72*. Average slips to 28.92. Hits three fifties. RCB make the playoffs, lose to KKR in the Eliminator by 4 wickets
2022 – So far this season, in the 8 matches he has played, Virat has managed to score 119 runs, with a highest score of 48. He is averaging 17 and has hit just two sixes so far. For the first time ever he has fallen for two golden ducks in one season (dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera vs LSG and by Marco Jansen vs SRH)

A quick look at a phase-wise break-up of Virat’s IPL journey so far:

Virat has now gone 13 innings in the IPL without a fifty. The last time he scored a half century in the IPL was last season (2021), on September 26, vs Mumbai Indians in Dubai, where he scored 51.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. Its an adage used for some of the best cricketers across generations. It’s the same for Virat. No one can question his class, the question is when will he find form again? RCB overall is doing well this season so far, with 5 wins in their first eight matches, till April 25, 2022.