Virat Kohli vs Suryakumar Yadav in IPL – stats & impact

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has served as a platform where young talent blooms and experienced players continue to evolve in their style of approaching the game. Several cricketers over the years have made their mark in international cricket after proving themselves in the IPL. At the same time the seasoned players have adapted to the evolving T20 format and developed their skills along with emerging stars. The most popular debate is the comparison between legendary cricketers and contemporary superstars. On that note, let us take a look at two modern-day giants of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. 

Virat Kohli

The Indian legend Virat Kohli is a name that needs no introduction. The stalwart in international cricket has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain has smashed more than 8447 runs in the tournament and became the highest run-getter in the overall IPL history.

RCB has not won any IPL title so far, but the top-order batter’s contribution to the team has been immensely valuable. The former T20I cricketer is known as the ‘Chase Master’, and his ability to anchor innings and finish games has been proven in all formats. Although the former Indian captain has faced criticism for his strike rate in T20s, he has significantly improved that aspect of his game as well in the recent seasons. In IPL 2025, the Delhi-born cricketer has continued his fine form by scoring 443 runs in 10 innings at an average of 63.28 and placing him third in the Orange Cap race.

Suryakumar Yadav

The Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav is often referred to as a ‘360-degree batter’, and has redefined T20 batting with his ability to find gaps all around the field.The right-handed batter joined Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2018, and immediately made an impact by scoring 512 runs in his debut season with the franchise at a strike rate of 133.33. The 34-year-old is effective in setting up big totals while batting first and often hitting on bowlers right from the start of his innings. His strike rate in the overall IPL is 148.07 after playing 146 innings. 

In IPL 2025, the Mumbai-born cricketer has been in sensational form by scoring 475 runs in 11 innings at an average of 68.75 and is firmly in the race of bagging the Orange Cap this season. The aggressive approach and adaptability that the batter displays on the field make him a key player in the T20 format.

Both Kohli and Suryakumar bring different strengths to the table. The legend stands out with the consistency and the chasing ability. Meanwhile, the MI top-order batter has countless stroke play and explosive batting especially in setting high targets. Both the players are the legends of the format.