Faf du Plessis, the former South African captain and one of cricket’s most stylish batsmen, has made history by overtaking India’s Virat Kohli in a major T20 record. He reached this milestone during the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament in the United States, shining even at 40 years old. His achievement reflects his skill, strong fitness, and steady performances in T20 leagues around the world, gaining admiration from both fans and experts.
The Record Broken
Faf du Plessis now holds the record for scoring the highest number of runs as a T20 captain in cricket history. Before this, the record was held by Virat Kohli, who had scored 6,564 runs while leading teams in T20 matches.
According to reports, Faf crossed Kohli’s tally after scoring runs for Texas Super Kings in the MLC 2025 season. He now has 6,575 runs as a T20 captain, putting him 11 runs ahead of Kohli.
Why This is a Big Deal
- Leadership under pressure: Captaining a team is already tough, but scoring so many runs while leading shows Faf’s strong mental strength and consistency.
- Long career and good form: Faf has played T20 cricket all over the world, in leagues like the IPL, CPL, PSL, and now MLC. Maintaining such form for years is impressive.
- Beating a legend: Virat Kohli is one of the best T20 batsmen ever. For Faf to surpass him shows how exceptional his performances have been as a leader.
Stats Of Both The Players in T20s as Captains
| Player | Innings as Captain | Runs | Average | 100s |
| Faf du Plessis | 202 | 6,575 | 36.71 | 8 |
| Virat Kohli | 188 | 6,564 | 47.57 | 5 |
- Even though Kohli has a higher batting average, Faf has played more innings and now leads in total runs.
Also read: Top 5 Fastest Double Centuries in Test Cricket History; Check the complete list
More Milestones for Faf
Faf has also set another record:
He now holds the record for the most T20 centuries as a captain with 8 hundreds, surpassing the previous record held by Michael Klinger and Babar Azam, who both had 7.
Faf Still Going Strong
At 40 years old, Faf du Plessis continues to play top-level T20 cricket. His performances in the MLC show that he still has plenty of runs left in him. His achievement not only highlights his individual brilliance but also shows how T20 cricket has grown around the world, giving players more opportunities to shine in different leagues.
Kohli’s Legacy
While Faf has broken this record, it doesn’t take away from Kohli’s incredible T20 career. Kohli still has one of the highest averages. He continues to be one of the biggest names in the sport.
In short: Faf du Plessis has made history by scoring the most runs as a captain in T20 cricket, overtaking Virat Kohli’s record. It’s a sign of his lasting talent and leadership in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.
Conclusion
Faf du Plessis’s latest milestone is a proud moment in his cricket journey. Surpassing a legend like Virat Kohli in a major T20 record proves his class, leadership, and dedication to the game. At a time when many players slow down, Faf continues to raise the bar. As T20 cricket keeps growing worldwide, records like this remind us of the importance of both skill and experience.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
