Kohli's 75-run blitz on Monday kept the Challengers' play-off hopes alive after they crushed the Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets.
The Indian batsman overtakes the powerful Gayle, who scored 733 runs in 15 matches in 2012, while Australia's Mike Hussey tallied the same figure in 17 games in 2013.
Kohli, who batted with an injured finger, stitched together a 115-run unbeaten stand with AB de Villiers (59).
Their partnership comes just two days after they recorded the highest partnership (229) in Twenty20 cricket history during the Challengers' match against the Gujarat Lions.
Their partnership comes just two days after they recorded the highest partnership (229) in Twenty20 cricket history during the Challengers' match against the Gujarat Lions.
