Which Cricketer Scored Four Hundreds in IPL 2016?

Scoring a century in any format of cricket is a remarkable achievement for a batter. Achieving a three-figure score in T20 cricket is particularly challenging, making it a significant milestone in a player's career.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some impressive batting performances over the years. In the last 16 editions, a total of 87 centuries have been scored in the tournament. Former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum holds the distinction of being the first player to score an IPL century, accomplishing this feat in the inaugural game of IPL 2008. McCullum's remarkable innings saw him score an unbeaten 158 runs off just 73 balls, featuring 10 fours and an incredible 13 sixes while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru. This innings set the tone for the exciting T20 cricket that IPL has become known for.

Virat Kohli's name is synonymous with IPL records. He not only holds the record for the most centuries in IPL history but was also the first batsman to score most centuries in a single season. During IPL 2016, Kohli displayed incredible form by smashing four centuries and accumulating a total of 973 runs in just 16 innings. His average for that season was an impressive 81.08, and he maintained a strike rate of 152.03. Notably, Kohli's 973 runs from that season still stand as the highest run tally in a single IPL season. It can be noted that in IPL 2022, Jos Buttler equalled Kohli's record of most centuries in a single season. 

100* vs Gujarat Lions, Rajkot

This century was special because it was Kohli's maiden century in the tournament. However, it came in a losing cause.

 The match between RCB and Gujarat Lions was played in Rajkot on April 24. Opening the batting, Kohli remained unbeaten on 100 with the help of 11 boundaries and one maximum. His remarkable innings, along with a half-century by KL Rahul, propelled RCB to a total of 180 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs. Unfortunately, they were unable to defend this total, as the Gujarat Lions, now a defunct side, successfully chased down the target with three balls to spare.

108* vs Rising Pune Supergiant, Bengaluru

Kohli's second century of the season came against the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in the 38th match played in Bengaluru. RPS, led by MS Dhoni, scored 191 batting first, which RCB chased down with three balls to spare. The chief architect of this win was Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 108 off 58, laced with eight boundaries and seven maximums. 

109 vs Gujarat Lions, Bengaluru

Kohli scored his third IPL century in the 44th match against Gujarat Lions in Bengaluru. He scored 109 off just 55 balls with the help of five fours and eight sixes.

Kohli and Ab de Villiers put on an impressive partnership of 229 runs for the second wicket – to this day, this partnership stands as the biggest partnership in the history of IPL. De Villiers played a stunning innings, finishing unbeaten on 129 off just 52 deliveries. The partnership propelled RCB to a first-innings total of 248 and they went on to win the match by 144 runs. 

113 vs Punjab Kings, Bengaluru

Kohli's fourth century of the season came against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the 50th match in Bengaluru. Batting first, RCB posted 211 for 3 on the back of a first-wicket partnership of 147 runs between openers Chris Gayle and Kohli. Gayle scored 73 off just 32, while Kohli finished on 113 off 50 at a strike rate of 226. He hit 12 fours and eight maximums during his knock. RCB won the match by 82 runs via the DLS method, and Kohli took home the Player of the Match award.

RCB's journey in IPL 2016

The Royal Challengers have not won the IPL but finished runner-up on three occasions between 2009 and 2016. 

In 2016, they lost the final to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru. Batting first, the David Warner-led Hyderabad team scored 208 for 7, which RCB could not chase down despite a good effort by Gayle (76 off 38) and Kohli (54 off 35). The side suffered a narrow eight-run loss. 

Kohli, as mentioned above, was RCB's standout performer with the bat. With the ball, Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 21 wickets in 13 games. 

Virat Kohli's centuries in international cricket

Kohli has scored the second-most centuries in international cricket (79 centuries in 571 innings) after Sachin Tendulkar (100 centuries in 782 innings). As of 7 November 2023, 49 of Kohli's centuries have come in ODIs, 29 in Tests and one in T20Is. 

Kohli endured three years without a century until September 2022, when he achieved his first T20I hundred against Afghanistan. His impressive innings of 122* held the record for the highest score by an Indian in T20Is, which was later surpassed by Shubman Gill (126*). In March 2023, Kohli put an end to his 1,204-day Test century drought by scoring his 28th Test century against Australia during the first innings of the fourth Test of the series.