Virat Kohli (born 5 November 1988) is one of the most popular and successful cricketers of the modern era. He is a right-handed batsman and has also bowled medium pace occasionally. Kohli has made a strong impact in all formats of the game—Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20s. He is a former captain of the Indian cricket team and continues to play an important role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his consistency, fitness, and leadership, Kohli’s story is full of achievements, hard work, and inspiration. This article gives a full overview of his life, career, and latest records.
Early Life and Background
Virat Kohli was born in Delhi to a Punjabi middle-class family. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a homemaker. He has two elder siblings—Vikas and Bhawna. From a very young age, Kohli showed interest in sports. At the age of three, he would pick up a bat and try to play shots while watching cricket on TV. When he turned nine, his parents enrolled him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy. His coach, Rajkumar Sharma, quickly saw that Virat had natural talent. Though he was once rejected from Delhi’s Under-14 team, he kept working hard and was soon picked for the Under-15 side, where his journey in cricket truly began.
Youth Career
Delhi U‑Teams
Kohli made his debut for Delhi Under-15 in 2002 against Himachal Pradesh. He quickly made a name for himself by scoring two centuries and 390 runs in the 2003–04 season. His strong performance helped him move up to the Under-17 team, where he scored a huge 251 not out in the Vijay Merchant Trophy.
India U‑19
Kohli’s good form earned him a spot in the India U-19 team for a tour of England in 2006. There, he scored an average of 105 in the ODI series and 49 in the Tests. He also performed well in Pakistan, New Zealand, and Malaysia. His ability to play both spin and pace made him stand out. His coach, Lalchand Rajput, praised him for being mature beyond his age and ready for bigger challenges.
International Career
ODI Debut and Early Years (2008–2009)
Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 18 August 2008. Although he only scored 12 runs in his first match, he soon proved his worth. Within a few weeks, he scored his first ODI fifty. In early 2009, he performed well for India A in Australia and was seen as one of the next big stars of Indian cricket.
Test Debut and Rise (2011–2025)
Kohli made his Test debut on 20 June 2011 against West Indies. He scored his first Test century in Adelaide in 2012. From then onwards, he became one of India’s most trusted batsmen. As of May 2025, he has played 123 Test matches and scored 9,230 runs with an average of 46.85. He has 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in the format, with a top score of 254*. On 12 May 2025, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, ending a 14-year career filled with great performances.
One of his most impressive records is scoring 7 Test centuries in Australia, the most by an Indian batsman. He also has 2,232 Test runs in Australia, which is the highest for any Indian player.
T20I Career (2010–2024)
Kohli made his T20I debut on 12 June 2010 against Zimbabwe. He quickly became known for his cool mind during run chases and for finishing games. By June 2024, he had played 125 T20Is, scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, with 1 century and 38 fifties. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he scored 76 off 59 balls and helped India win the title. After that, he announced his retirement from T20 Internationals.
ODI Career (2008–Present)
Kohli has been a key player in ODIs for over 15 years. As of July 2025, he has played 302 ODIs, scored 14,181 runs at an average of 57.88, with 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His strike rate is around 93.34. During the 2025 Champions Trophy, he scored 218 runs in five matches, including a century against Pakistan. That century was his 51st in ODIs, and he became the fastest player to reach 14,000 runs in the format, doing it in just 287 innings. He also broke the record for most catches by an Indian in ODIs. He was included in the ICC Team of the Tournament.
Franchise Career and IPL Success
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2008–Present)
Kohli has been a one-team man in IPL, playing for RCB since the very first season in 2008. From 2013 to 2021, he was the captain of the team. In total, he has played 267 matches in the IPL, scored 8,661 runs with an average of 39.55. He has 8 centuries and 63 fifties to his name, with a highest score of 113 and a strike rate of 132.9.
IPL 2025: A Dream Come True
The year 2025 was very special for Kohli and RCB. He scored 657 runs in 15 matches and was the third-highest run scorer of the season. On 3 June 2025, Kohli finally led RCB to their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in a close final. In that match, he scored 43 off 35 balls and crossed 771 career fours—the highest in IPL history. His emotional celebration and speech after the win showed how much this moment meant to him and the team.
Possible County Career
After retiring from Test cricket, there were reports that the English county team Middlesex was interested in signing him. If the BCCI allows it, Kohli could soon be seen playing red-ball cricket in England.
Retirement and What’s Next
Stepping Away from Test and T20I Formats
Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025 and from T20Is in June 2024. His decision created a buzz across the cricketing world. Many praised his timing and legacy. Now, he plans to focus on ODI cricket and franchise leagues like the IPL.
Still Going Strong in ODIs and Leagues
Fans can still watch Kohli in action in ODIs and the IPL. There are also talks about him joining a county team, which could add another chapter to his career.
Career Stats
Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Best | Strike Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 123 | 210 | 9,230 | 46.85 | 30 | 31 | 254* | 55.58 |
ODI | 302 | 290 | 14,181 | 57.88 | 51 | 74 | 183 | 93.35 |
T20I | 125 | 117 | 4,188 | 48.69 | 1 | 38 | 122* | 137.05 |
IPL | 267 | 259 | 8,661 | 39.55 | 8 | 63 | 113 | 132.9 |
All T20 | 414 | – | 13,050 | – | – | – | – | – |
Achievements and Awards
- Second-most international centuries (82), behind Sachin Tendulkar
- Most ODI centuries (51)
- Fastest to 14,000 ODI runs (287 innings)
- First player to cross 9,000 T20 runs for a single franchise
- IPL record holder for most matches before winning a title and most fours (771)
- Scored 7 Test centuries in Australia
- ICC Player of the Year (2017, 2018)
- ICC ODI Player of the Decade (2011–2020)
- ICC Spirit of Cricket Award (2019)
- Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2017), Khel Ratna (2018)
Playing Style and Public Image
Kohli is known for his aggressive and confident playing style. He often reminds fans of Sachin Tendulkar with his timing and technique. Fitness has always been important to Kohli, and he helped bring a fitness culture into Indian cricket. His focus on health and training has made him a role model.
Off the field, Kohli is a big brand. He endorses top companies like Puma, MRF, and One8. He also co-founded clothing brand WROGN and has invested in restaurants and startups. His popularity goes beyond cricket, making him one of the biggest sports stars in the world.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017. The couple has two children—daughter Vamika (born in January 2021) and son Akaay (born in February 2024). Kohli follows a vegetarian diet and often talks about the importance of mental and physical well-being.
He also runs the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports underprivileged children. The foundation works with several NGOs and organizes charity events to support young talent in sports.
Legacy and Impact
Kohli’s career is not just about numbers. He changed how Indian players think about discipline, fitness, and chasing big targets. His commitment to the game, energy on the field, and love for challenges have inspired millions. Even though he has stepped away from Tests and T20Is, his influence continues through ODIs, the IPL, and his off-field efforts.
Virat Kohli’s journey is a story of hard work, determination, and success. From a kid in Delhi to the face of Indian cricket, he has inspired a whole generation. His records are amazing, but his real strength is how he keeps growing and improving. As he continues to play ODIs and franchise cricket, and explores new paths like county cricket and business, his story is far from over. Fans will keep cheering for him, and cricket will keep learning from him.