Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs against a single team in IPL history with 1,174 runs against Chennai Super Kings across 36 matches.
He reclaimed this record on April 5, 2026, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s tally of 1,161 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders.
This record showcases a batter’s ability to consistently perform against a specific bowling attack over multiple seasons.
What makes this stat fascinating? It highlights personal rivalries, mental battles, and sheer dominance against favorite opponents.
Top 10 Batters with Most Runs Against a Single IPL Team
Here’s the updated leaderboard featuring players who have scored over 1,000 runs against a single opposition in IPL history.
| Rank | Player | Against Team | Runs | Matches | Average | 50+/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Chennai Super Kings | 1,174 | 35 | 37.87 | 10/0 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1,161 | 36 | 40.03 | 7/1 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | Punjab Kings | 1,159 | 36 | 36.21 | 6/1 |
| 4 | David Warner | Punjab Kings | 1,134 | 26 | 49.03 | 13/0 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | Delhi Capitals | 1,130 | 31 | 49.13 | 11/0 |
| 6 | David Warner | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1,093 | 28 | 43.72 | 6/0 |
| 7 | Rohit Sharma | Delhi Capitals | 1,092 | 38 | 31.02 | 6/0 |
| 8 | Shikhar Dhawan | Chennai Super Kings | 1,057 | 29 | 44.04 | 8/1 |
| 9 | Virat Kohli | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1,021 | 35 | 40.84 | 7/1 |
| 10 | KL Rahul | Mumbai Indians | 977 | 21 | 65.13 | 6/3 |
Here is the Breakdown for the Top 3 Players.
How Virat Kohli Broke the Record in IPL 2026
The record changed hands twice within a week during IPL 2026. Here’s how it unfolded.
Rohit Sharma Takes the Lead (March 29, 2026)
Rohit Sharma scored a blistering 78 runs against KKR on March 29, 2026
This knock pushed his career total against the Knight Riders to 1,161 runs, overtaking Kohli’s long-standing mark against the Punjab Kings.
The Hitman seemed destined to hold this record for a while. Or so everyone thought.
Kohli Reclaims the Crown (April 5, 2026)
Just seven days later, Virat Kohli faced Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
He needed merely 16 runs to break Rohit’s freshly minted record. Kohli reached the milestone in the fourth over itself.
His final score? A quickfire 28 off 18 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.
It wasn’t his flashiest knock. But it didn’t need to be.
Kohli’s tally against CSK now stands at 1,188 runs in 36 matches, making it the highest by any batter against a single IPL team.
Why CSK is Virat Kohli’s Favorite Opponent
The numbers don’t lie. Kohli has been absolutely relentless against the Chennai Super Kings since 2008.
Kohli vs CSK: Career Breakdown
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 1,174 |
| Matches Played | 35 |
| Batting Average | 37.87 |
| Strike Rate | 128.03 |
| 50+ Scores | 10 (IPL Record) |
| Highest Score | 90* |
| Runs at Chinnaswamy vs CSK | 389 (11 innings) |
What stands out most? 10 fifty-plus scores against a single opposition. No batter in IPL history has achieved this.
At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli’s strike rate against CSK jumps to an impressive 149.04. The home crowd clearly fuels him.
Rohit Sharma vs Kolkata Knight Riders: The Rivalry
While Kohli dominates CSK, Rohit Sharma has made KKR his personal playground.
His tally of 1,161 runs against them includes knocks across two different franchises: Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.
Rohit’s ability to read the Eden Gardens pitch and counter Sunil Narine’s mystery spin has been crucial to his success.
Interestingly, Kohli has scored all his runs for just one team. Rohit’s runs have come while representing multiple franchises.
David Warner: The Overseas King of This Record
David Warner is the only overseas player to feature multiple times in the top 10.
He appears three times: against Punjab Kings (1,134 runs) and KKR (1,093 runs).
What makes Warner special? His incredible average of 47.25 against PBKS is the highest on this list.
PBKS bowlers might want to look away when Warner walks in. He has been their nightmare since 2009.
Players with Multiple 1000+ Run Totals Against Single Teams
Some batters don’t just dominate one team. They terrorize several. Here’s who appears multiple times:
| Player | Entries | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 4 | CSK, DC, PBKS, KKR |
| David Warner | 2 | PBKS, KKR |
| Rohit Sharma | 2 | KKR, DC |
Kohli leads with four entries, showing his all-round dominance. Warner follows with three, while Rohit has two.
What Makes This Record So Difficult to Achieve?
Scoring 1,000+ runs against a single IPL team is no cakewalk. Here’s why:
- Limited Opportunities: Teams play each other only 2-4 times per season. You need multiple seasons of dominance.
- Opposition Strategies: Once you start dominating a team, they study your game and create specific plans to counter you.
- Consistency Required: You can’t have an off day. Even a few ducks can derail your progress toward this milestone.
- Career Longevity: Achieving this requires playing for 10+ years at the highest level, which only a handful of players manage.
Also Read:
Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs against a single team in IPL history, against CSK (1174)
The race for most IPL runs against a single team tells us a lot about cricketing dominance and consistency.
Virat Kohli’s 1,174 runs against CSK aren’t just a number. It represents 19 years of showing up against the same opponent and delivering.
With IPL 2026 still underway, both Kohli and Rohit could extend their tallies further. This rivalry for records might just be getting started.
