Virat Kohli, a name synonymous with modern-day cricket, has been an integral part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception. Often hailed as one of the most accomplished batsmen in the game, Kohli’s journey with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began in 2008, and he remains the only player to have represented a single franchise throughout all seasons. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, Kohli continues to be a pivotal figure, both with his performance on the field and his immense popularity off it. This article delves into his statistics in the current season, his enduring popularity, and the latest news surrounding him as of April 13, 2025.
Virat Kohli’s Performance in IPL 2025
Virat Kohli started the IPL 2025 season in impressive form, showcasing his class and consistency. Before the match against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, April 13, Kohli had played five matches, scoring 186 runs in five innings at an average of 46.5 and a strike rate of 145.3. His highest score in the season so far was 67, and he had already registered two half-centuries.
His outings in the IPL 2025 season up to this point include:
- vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 59 not out in 36 balls, including five fours and one six.
- vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK): 31 runs off 30 deliveries with two fours and one six.
- vs Gujarat Titans (GT): 7 runs off six balls, including one four.
- vs Mumbai Indians (MI): 67 off 42 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes. In this match, Kohli also crossed the milestone of 13,000 runs in T20 cricket.
- vs Delhi Capitals (DC): 22 runs in 14 balls, including one four and two sixes.
These statistics highlight Kohli’s steady contribution to the RCB batting lineup, often providing solid starts and anchoring the innings. His ability to adapt his game to different situations is evident in his varied scores and strike rates across these matches.
Enduring Popularity and Massive Fan Following
Beyond his on-field exploits, Virat Kohli’s popularity among cricket fans remains unparalleled. A recent report highlighted that Kohli has surpassed MS Dhoni to become the most popular player in IPL 2025, based on surveys conducted by Kadence International and Crisp Insights. One of these studies indicated that an overwhelming 95% of respondents had a preference for a particular player, with Virat Kohli leading this metric.
The eDART IPL Brand Impact study also showed that Kohli has overtaken Dhoni in fan rankings. His connection with the fans is a massive boost to RCB’s profile, and despite the team not having won an IPL trophy yet, they boast one of the largest fanbases in the country, largely due to Kohli’s charismatic pull. In fact, a report by Rediffusion stated that 51% of RCB fans attributed their team allegiance to Kohli’s presence.
Kohli’s popularity extends to social media as well. He holds the title of the most followed Asian individual on Instagram, boasting a staggering 271 million followers. Looking at the global sports scene, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have a larger Instagram fanbase than Kohli.
During the IPL 2024 season, Virat Kohli topped the charts in terms of mentions by social media influencers, according to a Qoruz report. An Interactive Avenues report on IPL 2024 social media mentions also highlighted Kohli as the most popular player, garnering the highest number of mentions. These trends from the previous season indicate that Kohli likely continues to generate significant online conversation and search interest in IPL 2025.
Latest News and Updates (as of April 13, 2025)
Ahead of the IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 13, a heartwarming moment was captured during a practice session. Virat Kohli was seen greeting his former coach Rahul Dravid with a playful, respectful gesture, folding his hands and even going down on one knee. Dravid, who is currently recovering from a leg fracture, was visibly delighted by Kohli’s warm gesture, highlighting the deep bond they share.
In terms of the match itself, RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Kohli was part of the RCB playing XI for this crucial encounter.
Earlier in April, Kohli made headlines for a different reason. He decided to “deep clean” his Instagram timeline, removing all his promotional posts, paid partnerships, and advertisements from his main feed and moving them to the reels section instead. This move, considering his massive following, was seen as a way to draw more attention to his personal ventures.
Pre-Season Expectations
Before the start of IPL 2025, Virat Kohli was widely regarded as one of the key batsmen to watch out for. An Economic Times article provided a pre-season analysis of 10 batsmen to watch, and Kohli topped the list. As the highest run-scorer in IPL history, and having won the Orange Cap in the previous season, expectations were high for Kohli to once again lead RCB’s batting charge. The analysis also noted his improved strike rate in the previous season, making him an even more dangerous batsman.
Overall IPL Career
Virat Kohli’s IPL career statistics speak volumes about his impact on the league. As of April 13, 2025, he has played 257 matches, batting in 249 innings and scoring a remarkable 8,190 runs. His highest score in the IPL is 113 not out, and he boasts an impressive average of 38.82 and a strike rate of 132.25. Kohli has also hit 8 centuries and 57 half-centuries in his IPL career. He holds the record for being the highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL.
Some of his notable achievements in the IPL include:
- Being the highest run-scorer in the IPL with over 8,000 runs.
- Scoring the most centuries in a single IPL season, with four centuries in 2016.
- Consistently performing at a high level, having crossed the 500-run mark in six different seasons.
- Holding the record for the most runs scored by a player in a single IPL season, with 973 runs in 2016.
International Career (Brief Overview)
While this article primarily focuses on Kohli’s IPL journey, it’s important to acknowledge his stellar international career, which further cements his status as a cricketing legend. In Test cricket, he has played 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs with 30 centuries. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he has featured in 302 matches, amassing 14,181 runs and scoring 51 centuries. In T20 Internationals (T20Is), he has played 125 matches, scoring 4,188 runs with one century. He holds numerous records in international cricket and is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli continues to be a dominant force in the IPL 2025 season, both with his consistent batting performances and his unwavering popularity among fans. His ability to score runs, coupled with his massive fan following and significant media attention, makes him one of the most talked-about players in the league. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Kohli as he aims to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden IPL title while continuing to break records and entertain millions of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His enduring legacy in the IPL remains a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the game.
