Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP and AP Photos]The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular and richest cricket leagues in the world. Over the past 18 years, it has grown massively and has given fans countless memorable moments. Not only has it helped young players rise to fame, but it has also turned many cricketers into legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina.At present, the IPL 2026 season shows how much the league has evolved. On one side, there are many new and exciting young players, and on the other side, there are experienced players who are still performing at the highest level.Experienced players still dominating in IPL In recent years, several young players have made a strong impact in the IPL. Cricketers like Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sai Sudharsan are consistently delivering good performances.However, despite the rise of young talent, senior players continue to shine. Their experience and consistency help them stay ahead, and they still play crucial roles in important matches.BCCI official’s statement on Virat KohliAmid this blend of youth and experience, BCCI vice President Rajeev Shukla named the best player in the game but seemingly overlooked legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who are still active in the league. He openly described Virat Kohli as the best player in the game in a post shared on social media. He wrote:"Virat Kohli with another brilliant 81 against Gujarat Titans. In an era of exciting young talent, he continues to set the benchmark. Still the best in the game."Rajeev Shukla @ShuklaRajiv Virat Kohli with another brilliant 81 against Gujarat Titans. In an era of exciting young talent, he continues to set the benchmark. Still the best in the game. @IPL @BCCI @imVkohli Apr 25, 2026, 12:08 AM Also Read: Virat Kohli's Reputation Damaged By England LegendVirat Kohli’s outstanding form in IPL 2026Even though Virat Kohli retired from T20I in 2024, he continues to dominate in the IPL. In the ongoing season, he is in excellent form and is leading the Orange Cap race with 328 runs in just 7 innings. His strike rate of 163 further highlights his aggressive yet controlled batting.Additionally, on Thursday, in the match against Gujarat Titans, Kohli played a brilliant knock of 81 runs off 44 balls. His innings included 8 fours and 4 sixes, which helped RCB stay strong in a tough chase of 206 runs.Although he got an early lifeline when Washington Sundar dropped his catch, Kohli made the most of it. He built an important 115-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, which put his team in a strong position.Virat Kohli shattering multiple recordsApart from his match performances, Kohli is also achieving major milestones. He recently became the first player in the world to score 10,000 T20 runs in a single country.Furthermore, he has joined the elite list of players with 300 sixes in the IPL. He is also very close to another big record, as he has already scored 8,989 runs and needs only 11 more runs to reach 9,000 IPL runs.In addition, Kohli has scored 66 half-centuries and 8 centuries in the IPL. He also holds the record for the most 50-plus scores in the tournament, which shows his consistency over the years.Also Read: Pakistan Star Switches To England Team; Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Blamed For Shocking Move
