Virat Kohli, a name synonymous with cricketing records, is often called the 'King of T20 batting.' However, the journey to the top wasn't an overnight success story. While Kohli dominated international cricket from the start, he had to endure a grueling 8-year wait to reach his first three-figure mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This is the story of that historic night in Rajkot that changed the T20 format forever.The Long Drought: 2008 to 2016Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Virat Kohli has been an integral part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite scoring thousands of runs and anchoring countless victories, a T20 century remained elusive for nearly a decade. While critics questioned his "power-hitting" ability compared to T20 specialists, Kohli remained committed to his classical cricketing style, proving that technique could triumph over brute force.April 24, 2016: The Night the Jinx BrokeThe historic moment finally arrived during the 2016 season against the Gujarat Lions in Rajkot. Leading from the front as the RCB captain, Kohli walked out with a clear intent.The Performance: Kohli played a masterclass of 63 deliveries, remaining unbeaten on 100 runs.The Finish: Entering the final over at 85*, Kohli faced the legendary Dwayne Bravo. He needed 14 runs off the last 3 balls for his ton.The Climax: A massive six followed by a wide, then a boundary put him on 96. On the very last ball of the innings, Kohli smashed a boundary to complete his maiden IPL century, sending the stadium into a frenzy.Bittersweet Milestone: A Century in a Losing CauseDespite Kohli’s heroic ton and a solid 51* from KL Rahul, RCB posted 180/2. However, the Gujarat Lions chased down the target with three balls to spare. While the match didn't end in a win, it signaled the beginning of the "Kohli Era" in T20s. That same season, he went on to score a record-shattering four centuries and 973 runs, a record that stands tall even in 2026.Beyond the Century: Defining a New T20 BlueprintKohli’s first century wasn't just about the runs; it was a statement. He demonstrated that T20 centuries could be built on "pure" cricketing shots cover drives, flicks, and lofted straight drives rather than just agricultural hoicks. Today, with 8 IPL centuries (the most by any player), Kohli has evolved into the ultimate blueprint for modern-day T20 openers.
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