The IPL 2026 season has started with big stories already. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are chasing history, while the tournament opens with drama and milestones.
MS Dhoni will miss the first two weeks because of a calf injury. The 44-year-old is training on the sidelines, giving Sanju Samson the chance to lead CSK’s batting and wicketkeeping in his place. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, is in great form. On opening night, he scored an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls with five fours and five sixes. He helped RCB beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets.
Five major milestones are coming this season. The stage is set for big moments and record-breaking achievements.
Virat Kohli and His Unprecedented Batting Milestones
Virat Kohli has 8,661 runs in 267 matches heading into 2026. This makes him the all-time leading run-scorer. He is also the first batter to score over 4,000 runs in successful run-chases. At 37, Kohli is at peak fitness and opens alongside Phil Salt. His home record at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is incredible. He has made 3,202 runs in 94 games.
In the 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli scored an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls. It included five fours and five sixes. His innings guided RCB to a six-wicket win. It showed why he remains the team’s most vital player.
Reaching the 9000 Run Mountain in IPL History
When Virat Kohli walked out in IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the crowd was already loud. His unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, with five fours and five sixes, helped RCB win easily with 26 balls left. But this innings was not just about the win. It pushed him closer to a huge record – 9,000 IPL runs.
Before the season, Kohli had 8,661 runs. After this match, he reached 8,730, now just 270 runs away from history. In 268 matches, he has 8 centuries, 64 fifties, and an average close to 40.
Kohli has always led from the front. He was the first to reach 6,000, 7,000, and 8,000 runs, and now 9,000 is next. His 2016 season with 973 runs is still the best ever. In this match, he built a strong stand with Devdutt Padikkal. He finished fast, hitting 19 runs in his last five balls.
| Season | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | 100s |
| 2021 | 15 | 405 | 119.46 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 341 | 115.99 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 639 | 139.82 | 2 |
| 2024 | 15 | 741 | 154.70 | 1 |
| 2025 | 15 | 657 | 144.71 | 1 |
Extending the Lead for Most Tournament Centuries
Virat Kohli’s record of 8 IPL centuries is not just a stat, it shows how consistent he has been over the years. He is still ahead of everyone, with Jos Buttler next at seven. What makes it bigger is that four of Kohli’s hundreds came in the 2016 season alone.
But he is not stopping. Even now, he is looking to add more. His batting style has changed a lot. Earlier, he used to start slow and build his innings. Now, he attacks from the first over. His powerplay shot rate has gone up from 31.5% in 2020 to 66.3% in 2025. This change has made him more dangerous.
Batting as an opener with Phil Salt also helps. He gets more balls and more time to build big scores. His unbeaten 69 in the first match of 2026 showed his form is still strong.
MS Dhoni Defying Age Behind the Stumps
At 44, MS Dhoni is still playing in the IPL. But before IPL 2026, he picked up a calf injury and missed the first two weeks. This forced CSK to make quick changes, with Sanju Samson taking over wicketkeeping.
Even when he is not playing, his presence is still felt in the team. CSK struggled early, showing how much they depend on his finishing. In recent seasons, Dhoni has batted lower in the order and played short but fast innings.
The team now plans to manage his fitness carefully. He may not play every match, but they want him ready for key games later in the season.
Setting the Highest Dismissal Count in IPL History
MS Dhoni, at 44, is still the best wicketkeeper in IPL history. In 278 matches, he has 205 dismissals – 158 catches and 47 stumpings. He is the first and only player to cross 200 dismissals, and no one else is even close.
The next best is Dinesh Karthik with 174, but he has retired and is still 31 behind. Wriddhiman Saha finished with 113, while Rishabh Pant, the closest active player, has 101. Pant would need many strong seasons just to get near Dhoni’s number.
Dhoni’s stumpings are also a record. His quick hands still stand out. In 2025, he stumped Phil Salt in 0.16 seconds and Suryakumar Yadav in 0.12 seconds. The gap is so big that it looks almost impossible for anyone to break it in the future.
Becoming the Oldest Indian Player to Feature in IPL
At 44, MS Dhoni has made history by becoming the oldest Indian player to play in the IPL. He went past Pravin Tambe, who earlier held this record at 44 years and 219 days. Dhoni is now also the second-oldest player in IPL history, only behind Brad Hogg, who played at 45 years and 92 days.
Other senior players like Imran Tahir and Chris Gayle also played into their 40s, but Dhoni is still going. What makes this special is that he is not just playing for namesake. He is still active as a wicketkeeper and leader for CSK.
A calf injury ruled him out for the first two weeks of IPL 2026. But his role in the team remains important. He guides young players in decision-making on the field.
Many believe this could be his final season. That makes every match important, as he looks to finish his career on a high note. And also help CSK fight for another title.
The Ultimate Appearance Milestone for Both Icons
IPL 2026 is not just about runs and records. It is also about long careers. Only four players have played every season from 2008 to 2026 in the IPL. completing 19 straight years. These names are MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Manish Pandey.
Each of them has had a different journey. Dhoni became the face of CSK. Kohli has stayed with RCB for all 19 seasons. Rohit Sharma built his legacy with Mumbai Indians after starting with Deccan Chargers. Manish Pandey played for many teams over the years.
What stands out most is loyalty. Kohli is the only player to stay with one team for his entire IPL career. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja are also strongly linked with CSK.
Extending the Most Matches Played by a Franchise Legend
In IPL 2026, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are not just playing matches. But they are adding to records built over many years.
Kohli’s story is about loyalty. He has played only for RCB since 2008. He now has around 269 matches for one franchise, the most by any player. Along with that, he has scored over 8,700 runs for the team, making him their key player every season.
Dhoni’s journey is different but just as strong. He holds the record for most IPL matches overall (278 games). Most of these came for CSK, though he also played for Rising Pune Supergiant when CSK was not in the league. For CSK alone, he has played around 248 matches.
Even their salaries show their roles. Kohli is still a top player with ₹21 crore, while Dhoni plays for ₹4 crore. Both are now close to the end of their careers. But their records and impact will stay for a long time.
SWOT Analysis of Kohli and Dhoni in the 2026 Season
| Factor | Virat Kohli (RCB) | MS Dhoni (CSK) |
| Strengths | Kohli is still very fit even at 37. His coach said he is in top condition and mentally fresh. He showed this by scoring 69 not out from 38 balls in the first match. He plays with players like Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David. He is also the highest run-scorer in IPL history and is close to 9,000 runs. | Dhoni has the best wicketkeeping record in IPL history, with more than 200 dismissals. This is a very big achievement. The coach has said his influence is still very strong. He is also known as one of the best finishers in IPL history and can handle pressure at the end of matches. |
| Weaknesses | RCB are defending champions now, so there is more pressure on Kohli and the team. Opponents will prepare better against them. The bowling attack also looks weak if Josh Hazlewood is not available. This can put extra pressure on Kohli and the batters to score big runs in every match. | Dhoni is 44 and is dealing with injuries. He is already out for the first few matches due to a calf strain. The team has struggled without him, which shows they depend on him a lot. He also bats very low now, so he gets very few balls to make an impact. |
| Opportunities | Kohli is very close to reaching 9,000 IPL runs, which will be a big record. He can also help RCB win back-to-back titles, which only a few teams have done before. He already has the most IPL centuries, and he can increase that number further this season. | This could be Dhoni’s last IPL season. He has a chance to finish his career by winning another title. He can also guide younger players like Sanju Samson and help build the future team. He can play freely without pressure this season. |
| Threats | If key bowlers like Josh Hazlewood or Yash Dayal are not fit, RCB may struggle. This can force Kohli to take more pressure in batting. Opponents are also studying his game closely. And especially in the powerplay. | If the injury gets worse, Dhoni may miss more matches or even the whole season. CSK is also relying on young players. And if they fail, the team may struggle. The modern game is changing fast. The role of a finisher is becoming less important. |
Final Words
IPL 2026 is not just about wins and points. It feels like a season where history is being written in real time.
Virat Kohli is very close to becoming the first player to reach 9,000 IPL runs. He already has 8,730 and needs just 270 more. His story is about staying consistent for 19 seasons and still scoring runs. MS Dhoni has already crossed 200 dismissals as a wicketkeeper. His 205 dismissals show his long career and sharp skills, even at 44. Even when injured, his presence still matters to CSK.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is just one wicket away from 200, which no fast bowler has done before. Sanju Samson is also close to 5,000 runs as a wicketkeeper. Rohit Sharma needs only 11 runs to reach 6,000 for Mumbai Indians.
These moments are bigger than trophies. Seasons will end, but these records will stay. This season is not just about who wins. But about players making their place in IPL history.
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