Few individuals in world cricket command the respect and admiration of Virat Kohli. Known for his consistency, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Kohli, a young man from Delhi, is one of cricket’s greatest ambassadors. Over the past few years, he has become the face of Indian cricket and is undoubtedly a perfect blend of skill, discipline, and leadership.
Virat was born into a middle-class Punjabi family located in Delhi. His father, Prem Kohli, worked as a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a homemaker. From a very young age, Kohli displayed an intense love for cricket. At the tender age of nine, his talent caught the attention of the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA). There coach Rajkumar Sharma began shaping him into the world-class player he would become.
Kohli first came to prominence when he captained India’s Under-19 team to victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. His aggression and batting maturity at such a young age signaled that India had found its next cricket superstar. Soon after, he was selected by RCB for the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), beginning an enduring partnership.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 210 | 13 | 9230 | 254* | 46.85 | 16608 | 55.57 | 30 | 31 | 1027 | 30 | 121 | 0 |
| ODIs | 305 | 293 | 46 | 14255 | 183 | 57.71 | 15285 | 93.26 | 51 | 75 | 1332 | 152 | 164 | 0 |
| T20Is | 125 | 117 | 31 | 4188 | 122* | 48.69 | 3056 | 137.04 | 1 | 38 | 369 | 124 | 54 | 0 |
| FC | 156 | 259 | 20 | 11485 | 254* | 48.05 | 20526 | 55.95 | 37 | 39 | 1341 | 45 | 152 | 0 |
| List A | 339 | 326 | 49 | 15697 | 183 | 56.66 | 16821 | 93.31 | 55 | 83 | 1496 | 176 | 182 | 0 |
| T20s | 414 | 397 | 74 | 13543 | 122* | 41.92 | 10056 | 134.67 | 9 | 105 | 1210 | 435 | 185 | 0 |
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 11 | 175 | 84 | 0 | – | – | 2.88 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| ODIs | 305 | 50 | 662 | 680 | 5 | 1/13 | 1/13 | 136.00 | 6.16 | 132.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 125 | 13 | 152 | 204 | 4 | 1/13 | 1/13 | 51.00 | 8.05 | 38.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 156 | 25 | 643 | 338 | 3 | 1/19 | 2/42 | 112.66 | 3.15 | 214.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 339 | 57 | 726 | 741 | 5 | 1/13 | 1/13 | 148.20 | 6.12 | 145.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 414 | 45 | 460 | 667 | 8 | 2/25 | 2/25 | 83.37 | 8.70 | 57.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kohli’s early international career was quite promising. However, his ability to win matches while chasing targets set him apart. By 2011, he was part of the World Cup-winning Indian team and contributed crucial innings throughout the tournament. His first ODI century came against Sri Lanka in 2009, and his career has been on a steady upward trajectory ever since.
When MS Dhoni resigned as India’s Test captain in 2014, Virat Kohli became the natural successor. Under his leadership, India became a force in Test cricket and won a historic series in Australia (2018-19). They have also maintained an unbeaten record on home soil over the past few years and remain ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings. He led India in 68 Test matches, winning 40 of them, making him India’s most successful Test captain. His leadership was characterized by aggression, a fitness culture, and a belief in fast bowling.
In more basic formats, Kohli led India to victory in several ICC knockout stages and bilateral series. Although he has not won any ICC trophies as captain, his record as a batsman is impressive.
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Virat Kohli has become synonymous with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Since 2008, he is the only player to represent the same franchise in every IPL season. Over the years, Kohli has set several IPL records:
Though he captained RCB for eight seasons (2013-2021), his dream of winning the IPL came true in 2025. That year, RCB finally lifted the trophy under Rajat Patidar’s leadership. It is a fairytale moment for Kohli, who had dedicated nearly two decades to the franchise.
In December 2017, Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and became one of India’s most famous power couples. They have a daughter, Vamika, and a son, who is due in 2023.
As of 2025, Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated at over ₹1100 crore (USD 130 million). His income stems from:
Kohli’s brand value remains unmatched, making him one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Virat Kohli’s journey from a young player from Delhi to one of cricket’s greatest legends is a story of determination, confidence, and an unmatched work ethic. His records may one day be broken, but his impact on world cricket is eternal. Whether it’s his passion on the field or his leadership, Kohli has redefined what it means to be a modern cricket legend.
Virat Kohli made his ODI debut on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. His Test debut followed on June 20, 2011, against the West Indies, while his T20I debut came on June 12, 2010, against Zimbabwe.
Kohli’s highest Test score is 254 against South Africa (2019, Pune), while his top ODI score is 183 against Pakistan (2012, Asia Cup). In T20Is, his best is 122 against Afghanistan (2022 Asia Cup).
As of 2025, Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated at ₹1100 crore. His earnings come from BCCI contracts, IPL salary (₹15 crore with RCB), endorsements, and business ventures such as One8 and Wrogn.
Virat Kohli is married to Anushka Sharma, a renowned Bollywood actress and producer. They tied the knot in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Italy. The couple has two children.
Virat Kohli won his first IPL title in 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, ending a 17-year wait. It was a historic moment for both Kohli and the RCB fanbase.
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