IPL: How has Virat Kohli evolved from a chase master into a tone setter with improved first-innings strike rate since 2024?
When he began his international career, Virat Kohli earned the reputation of being the chase master. He possesses an exceptional ability to anchor, pace, and finish run chases, backed by his sharp game awareness. Kohli knows exactly when to accelerate and when to absorb pressure, which sets him apart from many others.
The same qualities have been evident in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, over the last couple of seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli has further evolved his game, becoming equally effective at setting the tone while batting first.
Virat Kohli’s revolution in aggressive first innings of IPL since 2024
Overall, Kohli has managed 4703 runs in 135 IPL innings at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 131.70 while batting first. He has celebrated 36 fifties and six centuries at the best score of 113. Meanwhile, in chases, the right-handed batter has an average of 40.8 for his 3958 IPL runs at a strike rate of 134.30, thanks to two centuries and 27 fifties.
In the first innings, Kohli’s strike rate goes up to 138.70 in victories for his 2335 runs in 62 innings. During the first 16 seasons of the tournament till 2023, the Delhi-born managed 3930 runs for a strike rate of 128.80 in the first innings. But in the last couple of IPLs, he has generated a strike rate of 148.40 with 36 sixes in just 17 innings.
| 2008-2023 | 2024-2025 | |
| Inns | 118 | 17 |
| Runs | 3930 | 773 |
| Avg | 36.70 | 51.50 |
| SR | 128.80 | 148.40 |
| 4s/6s | 328/129 | 62/36 |
| Dot% | 32.60 | 29.0 |
Fig 1: Virat Kohli’s 1st innings IPL performance breakup
Read More: IPL: Which teams have best maximised batting resources since Impact Player rule adoption in 2023?
Kohli’s IPL performance in first innings
The veteran had a first-innings strike rate of only 115.40 inside the powerplay till IPL 2023. But in the last couple of seasons, he has batted at a powerful strike rate of 147.60 in the same qualification.
Subsequently, in the middle overs (7-15), Kohli’s strike rate of 120.30 in the first 16 seasons of the IPL has gone up to 141.30 in the last two editions. On the other hand, in the death phase (16-20), he has maintained the same level of aggression, striking at 190+.
In the first 15 overs of the first innings, the former captain nailed only 129 sixes and 328 boundaries in 118 innings. However, in the last two seasons, he has cracked 62 fours and 36 sixes, which reflects his change of mindset.
| Powerplay (1-6) | Middle Overs (7-15) | Death Overs (16-20) | |
| Inns | 95 | 84 | 47 |
| Runs | 1281 | 1817 | 832 |
| Outs | 32 | 38 | 37 |
| SR | 115.40 | 120.30 | 193.50 |
| 4s/6s | 159/24 | 115/52 | 54/53 |
| Dot% | 43.90 | 27.70 | 20.90 |
Fig 2: Virat Kohli’s phase wise 1st innings IPL performance in 2008-2023
| Powerplay (1-6) | Middle Overs (7-15) | Death Overs (16-20) | |
| Inns | 17 | 13 | 04 |
| Runs | 338 | 349 | 86 |
| Avg | 84.50 | 38.80 | 43 |
| SR | 147.60 | 141.30 | 191.10 |
| 4s/6s | 33/15 | 21/16 | 08/05 |
| Dot% | 34.90 | 23.90 | 26.70 |
Fig 3: Virat Kohli’s phase-wise 1st innings IPL performance in 2024-2025
Read More: Which team has the best batting firepower after IPL 2026 Auction?
Upgraded Virat Kohli finds new ways to show aggression
Kohli has taken his game against pace to a different level in the first innings of the last two IPL seasons. His strike rate of 133.90 against the fast bowlers in 2008-2023 has increased to 157.70. In the same way, it has gone up from 123.60 to 133.70 against the spinners.
| Pacers | Spinners | |
| Inns | 116 | 177 |
| Runs | 2462 | 2722 |
| Outs | 76 | 52 |
| SR | 133.90 | 123.60 |
| 4s/6s | 237/83 | 174/99 |
| Dots | 35.50 | 30.10 |
Fig 4: Kohli’s pace vs spin comparison in IPL 1st innings of 2008-2023
| Pacers | Spinners | |
| Inns | 17 | 25 |
| Runs | 470 | 552 |
| Outs | 11 | 08 |
| SR | 157.70 | 133.70 |
| 4s/6s | 44/22 | 35/23 |
| Dots | 29.50 | 27.10 |
Fig 5: Kohli’s pace vs spin comparison in IPL 1st innings of 2024-2025
Kohli’s right vs left-arm pace comparison
The 37-year-old had a strike rate of 135.40 against the right-arm pacers in the first innings of the IPL till 2023. But since 2024, it has gone up to 157.80. In the same manner, his strike rate of 128 against left-arm pace has flown north to 157.60 in the last two editions.
| Right-arm pace | Left-arm pace | |
| Inns | 109 | 60 |
| Runs | 1987 | 475 |
| Outs | 56 | 20 |
| SR | 135.40 | 128.0 |
| 4s/6s | 196/63 | 41/20 |
| Dots | 34.50 | 39.60 |
Fig 6: Kohli’s right vs left-arm pace comparison in IPL 1st innings of 2008-2023
| Right-arm pace | Left-arm pace | |
| Inns | 15 | 15 |
| Runs | 284 | 186 |
| Outs | 05 | 118 |
| SR | 157.80 | 157.60 |
| 4s/6s | 29/11 | 15/11 |
| Dots | 27.20 | 33.10 |
Fig 7: Kohli’s right vs left-arm pace comparison in IPL 1st innings of 2024-2025
Read More: Top 5 Orange Cap contenders in IPL 2026
Kohli brings new approach against right-arm spin
Against the right-arm spinners, Kohli’s strike rate of 127.30 in the first 16 seasons of the IPL during the first innings has gone up to 138.20 since 2024. There is also an improvement from a strike rate of 117.90 to 128.90 against the left-arm spin in the same order.
| Right-arm spin | Left-arm spin | |
| Inns | 152 | 104 |
| Runs | 1713 | 1009 |
| Outs | 37 | 15 |
| SR | 127.30 | 117.90 |
| 4s/6s | 110/68 | 64/31 |
| Dots | 29.70 | 30.70 |
Fig 8: Kohli’s right vs left-arm spin in IPL 1st innings of 2008-2023
| Right-arm spin | Left-arm spin | |
| Inns | 21 | 18 |
| Runs | 293 | 259 |
| Outs | 03 | 05 |
| SR | 138.20 | 128.90 |
| 4s/6s | 14/13 | 21/10 |
| Dots | 22.2 | 32.30 |
Fig 9: Kohli’s right vs left-arm spin in IPL 1st innings of 2024-2025
Kohli’s new approach vs leg-spin
Kohli has been watchful against off-spinners with a strike rate of 119.70 since 2024 in the first innings of IPL. But he has brought wildness with a strike rate of 147.50 against leg spinners in the same qualification, including only three dismissals in 16 innings.
| Right-arm off spin | Right-arm leg spin | |
| Inns | 86 | 98 |
| Runs | 647 | 1066 |
| Outs | 15 | 22 |
| SR | 115.50 | 135.60 |
| 4s/6s | 46/20 | 64/48 |
| Dots | 32.50 | 27.70 |
Fig 10: Kohli’s off vs leg spin comparison in IPL 1stt first innings of IPL 2008-2023
| Right-arm off spin | Right-arm leg spin | |
| Inns | 10 | 16 |
| Runs | 85 | 208 |
| Outs | 00 | 03 |
| SR | 119.70 | 147.50 |
| 4s/6s | 04/02 | 10/11 |
| Dots | 22.50 | 22.0 |
Fig 11: Kohli’s off vs leg spin comparison in IPL 1st first innings of IPL 2024-25
Read More: IPL 2025, Final, RCB vs PBKS: Bengaluru break the IPL code in 18th attempt, emerge as champions
Kohli’s improvement vs left-arm spin
The veteran’s strike rate of 114.10 against left-arm spin in the first 16 seasons of the IPL in the first innings has gone up to 125.80 since 2024. In the same way, it has remained over 140 against the left-arm wrist spinners throughout the IPL.
| Left-arm spin | Left-arm leg spin | |
| Inns | 97 | 12 |
| Runs | 865 | 144 |
| Outs | 14 | 01 |
| SR | 114.10 | 146.90 |
| 4s/6s | 54/25 | 10/06 |
| Dots | 31.80 | 22.40 |
Fig 12: Kohli’s left-arm off vs leg spin in IPL 1st innings during IPL 2008-2023
| Left-arm spin | Left-arm leg spin | |
| Inns | 18 | 04 |
| Runs | 200 | 59 |
| Outs | 03 | 02 |
| SR | 125.80 | 140.50 |
| 4s/6s | 14/09 | 07/01 |
| Dots | 33.30 | 28.6 |
Fig 12: Kohli’s left-arm off vs leg spin in IPL 1st innings during IPL 2024-25
Kohli’s mindset has changed since the ‘impact player rule’ came into the picture. The extra batter has offered him the cushion to go freely against the bowlers without any pressure, even in the first innings. The former RCB captain has also added a few new shots to his book. In the past, he didn’t use to go for regular sixes, but in the last two seasons, he has shown no fear in crossing the boundary rope.
RCB will hope to see the same version of him in the upcoming IPL 2026. They play the curtain raiser against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Read More: What this title win means for Virat Kohli; Final missing piece in his cabinet?
