Virat Kohli’s Struggles Continue in IPL 2026
Virat Kohli, one of the most iconic cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), faced yet another challenging day on May 10 during the RCB vs MI match. The veteran batter was dismissed for his second consecutive duck, marking a difficult phase in his career. Kohli only faced one ball in the game, which came off the bowling of Deepak Chahar. He attempted to hit the pitched-up delivery but sent it straight to Raj Bawa, who made no mistake in taking the catch in the mid-on region. The moment left Kohli visibly dejected and frustrated as he returned to the dressing room.
The Mumbai Indians players celebrated wildly, given Kohli’s impressive history in the tournament. However, this particular dismissal highlighted the challenges he has been facing recently. Chasing a target of 167 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, the defending champions were pushed into a difficult position after losing two wickets for just 24 runs. Devdutt Padikkal managed to score 12 runs before falling to Chahar, becoming the latter’s second wicket of the day.
This was not the first time Kohli had struggled in the tournament. In the previous game against the Lucknow Super Giants, he was clean bowled by Prince Yadav on the second ball of the second over. The ball nipped back, and the 37-year-old failed to cover the line, resulting in another duck. This has significantly impacted his performance in the ongoing edition of the league.
Kohli, who was once leading the batting charts in IPL 2026, has now dropped down to the 10th spot. So far, he has scored 379 runs in 11 innings, with an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of 163.36. His tally includes three fifties, but his recent failures have affected the overall performance of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The team has lost three out of their last five matches, causing them to drop to the fourth spot in the points table. With 12 points from 12 games, RCB will need to win all their remaining four fixtures to have a chance at qualifying for the playoffs.
Despite these struggles, Kohli remains one of the most significant figures in IPL history. He is the first batter to cross the 9000-run mark in the tournament. Over the course of 278 games, he has amassed an incredible 9040 runs, with an average of 39.64 and a strike rate of 133.90. His achievements include 8 centuries and 66 half-centuries, making him a true legend of the competition.
Key Statistics
- Total Runs in IPL: 9040
- Matches Played: 278
- Average: 39.64
- Strike Rate: 133.90
- Centuries: 8
- Half-Centuries: 66
Recent Performance in IPL 2026
- Total Runs: 379
- Innings Played: 11
- Average: 42.11
- Strike Rate: 163.36
- Fifties: 3
Impact on RCB
- Matches Lost in Last 5 Games: 3
- Current Position in Table: 4th
- Points Accumulated: 12 from 12 games
- Fixtures Remaining: 4
While Kohli continues to face challenges in the current season, his legacy in the IPL remains unparalleled. Fans and analysts alike are hoping for a resurgence in his form, as his presence on the field is always a key factor in any match.
