Virat Kohli Highest Score in IPL: A Batting Record, Stats

Virat Kohli, the name stands for consistency, the passion to win, and unimaginable hunger for runs. He has become synonymous with run-scoring in the Indian Premier League (IPL). From captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to leaving behind the run charts, Kohli’s career in the IPL is nothing short of legendary. 

Among all the many performances, there is one knock – his highest score in IPL, of 113. It is not just the number that matters, but a representation of his performance throughout the 2016 season. So, let us take a closer look at this iconic performance, its context, and where it stands in the ranks of IPL history.

Kohli’s Highest IPL Score- 113* vs Punjab Kings in IPL 2016

Virat Kohli played one of the most destructive innings of his career on May 18, 2016, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Opening the batting for RCB against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), Kohli bludgeoned the bowling attack to score an exhilarating 113 runs off just 50 balls and remain not out. The innings consisted of: 

• 12 fours 
• 8 sixes 
• A strike rate of 226.00 

This made the innings even more astonishing when you consider that Kohli was batting with nine stitches in his left hand from an injury in the previous match. Yet, he walked in to bat and produced a captain’s innings for the ages . 

The Virat Kohli’s Match Context

This match was more than just a high run-scoring match  it was make-or-break time most win for RCB to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kohli’s 113*, carried RCB to tremendous score of 211/3 in fifteen overs (the match was rain shortened) and obliterated the Punjab bowling attack and won RCB the match easily. 

It was also the match where Kohli scored his fourth century of the season – creating the record in IPL for the most centuries in a single edition of the IPL, which still stands to this day.

Virat Kohli Highest Score in IPL – A Quick View

The give table showing the Virat Kohli’s top 5 highest individual scores in IPL history:

Rank	Score	Opponent	Balls Faced	Fours	Sixes	Strike Rate	Venue	Year
1	113*	Punjab Kings	50	12	8	226.00	Bengaluru	2016
2	108*	Rising Pune Supergiant	58	8	7	186.20	Bengaluru	2016
3	100*	Gujarat Lions	63	11	1	158.73	Rajkot	2016
4	100	Kolkata Knight Riders	58	9	4	172.41	Eden Gardens	2019
5	99	Delhi Capitals	58	10	4	170.68	Bengaluru	2013

The table above outlines the four highest IPL scores scored by Virat. Four of his five highest IPL scores were also scored either in 2016 or after, showing the peak form he reached that year.

In 2016 IPL Season: Kohli’s Dominance

The 2016 IPL is remembered as Virat Kohli’s personal playground. He scored:

• 973 runs in 16 matches
• 4 centuries
• 7 fifties
• Average of 81.08
• Strike rate of 152.03

To this day, no other batsman has ever reached the 900-run milestone in an entire season. Kohli’s run-fest included innings of 113*, 109, 108*, and 100* – all while he were pressure situations for RCB. The entire season confirmed that he could handle any T20 batting scenario, made him the orange cap winner as well the unequivocal MVP of IPL 2016.

Read Also: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians Timeline: IPL 2013 to 2015

Kohli’s Evolution as a T20 Batter

There were critics who questioned Kohli’s ability to adapt his game to T20 cricket, especially in the IPL. He has answered those critics by making runs. From his early days in the middle of the order, to moving to open and set the innings with intent, Kohli has changed in remarkable fashion. There are a few key characteristics of Kohli’s T20 batting.

• Ability to effortlessly rotate strike
• Fitness and running between the wickets
• Excellent placement
• When to accelerate the innings
• Big-hitting when necessary

The 113* innings vs Punjab was evidence that Kohli was not only a classical batsman, but he could hit boundaries and clear the boundary even in the shortest format.

Comparing with Other Great IPL Knocks

Virat 113* may not be the fastest century in IPL history, but it is one of the best in terms of impact, consistency and context. Here’s how it compares to other IPL centuries:  

Player	Score	Match Context	Format	Strike Rate	Impact
Chris Gayle	175*	League match, batting first	Full 20 overs	265+	Destructive, but not pressured
AB de Villiers	133*	Dominant partnership	Full 20 overs	225+	High-scoring match
Virat Kohli	113*	Must-win game, 15 overs only	Shortened game	226	Pressure, injury, captain’s knock

How Many Centuries Does Virat Kohli Have in IPL?

As of the 2025 season, Virat Kohli has scored 8 centuries in the IPL, which is the most by any player in IPL history. The IPL teams he has scored centuries against include:

• Punjab Kings
• Gujarat Lions
• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Rajasthan Royals

This record puts him above other century-makers in IPL like Chris Gayle (6), Jos Buttler (5), and KL Rahul (4).

Virat Kohli’s Legacy About 113* Knock

Virat Kohli’s 113* runs is more than just a number. It symbolizes for:

• Resilience (playing with a gash)
• Responsibility (leading his team in a must-win game)
• Consistency (part of a season where he broke record after record)
• Class under pressure

It’s a knock that will be replayed in highlight reels for decades to come – an example of how one man can change the whole trajectory of a season.

Read Also: T20 World Cup Winners List Year Wise

Conclusion

Virat Kohli highest score in the IPL, an unbeaten 113 against Punjab Kings in 2016. It is lodged in the memory of every cricket fan. It wasn’t just about runs. It was about leading from the front and carrying the group while also setting standards that others can only wish to aspire to. 

The IPL has thrown up many great innings, but this knock remains iconic, not just for its brutality but for the determination, passion, and heart that Kohli infused into it. As Kohli continues with his IPL career, this 113* will be seen as a peak moment in a glorious career. 

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