An aggressive yet graceful right-hand top-order batsman, Virat Kohli is modern cricket’s greatest. He possesses so many records: the highest number of Man-of-the-Series awards in ODIs and T20Is. In ODIs, Kohli is the fastest to 8,000 runs, 9,000 runs, 10,000 runs, 11,000 runs, 12,000 runs, 13,000 runs, and 14,000 runs and holds the most hundreds chasing.
He led India to their 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories and has now captained India in all three formats, leading them to a historic Test series triumph in Australia in 2018-19. He scored the most runs in a single season of the IPL and twice earned the Orange Cap. Kohli, in contrast, as of April 2025, went ahead to manage fifty-plus scores in IPL history, which is a testament to an unending glimmer of brilliance.
Virat Kohli is a phenomenon rather than just a name. Kohli, renowned for his fervor, aggression, and unparalleled consistency, has revolutionized contemporary cricket. He is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers ever, having amassed over 25,000 international runs, numerous captaincy records, and innumerable game-winning knocks.
This article explores the life of this Delhi-born running sensation, following his ascent from the streets of West Delhi to the most famous cricket grounds in the world.
Biography of Virat Kohli
- Real Name: Virat Kohli
- Full Name: Virat Kohli
- Nickname: Cheeku
- Profession: Professional Cricketer, Entrepreneur
- Famous for: Consistent batting, aggressive leadership, fitness revolution in Indian cricket
- Best Performance: 183 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2012
- Salary: Estimated ₹7 crore (A+ BCCI central contract, excluding endorsements)
- Monthly Income: ₹5–10 crore (including endorsements)
- Website URL: https://viratkohli.foundation
- Instagram Handle: @virat.kohli
Physical Status of Virat Kohli
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)
- Weight: 70 kg
- Body Measurements: Chest 40″, Waist 32″, Biceps 14″
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Personal Life
- Date Of Birth: November 5, 1988
- Place Of Birth: Delhi, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Hometown: Delhi, India
- School: Vishal Bharti Public School & Saviour Convent
- College: Not known (focused on cricket early)
- Highest Education Qualification: 12th grade
- Religion: Hinduism
- Other Hobbies: Traveling, fitness, football, reading biographies
Family Statistics
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife: Anushka Sharma (Actress and Producer)
- Children: One daughter – Vamika Kohli
- Parents: Late Prem Kohli (father), Saroj Kohli (mother)
- Siblings: One elder brother (Vikas Kohli), one elder sister (Bhavna Kohli)
Early Life of Virat Kohli:
Virat Kohli, born in Delhi into a Punjabi family, has a natural affinity for cricket from a young age. At nine, Virat was enrolled in the West Delhi Cricket Academy after his father, Prem Kohli, encouraged him and saw his potential. He immediately distinguished himself in youth cricket circuits by displaying a unique blend of unwavering attention, a strong work ethic, and a desire for runs.
All age groups recognized him for his aggressive batting style and keen technique. His father’s passing in 2006 marked a sea change in his life. The next day, Kohli played a vital Ranji Trophy match and scored 90 runs for Delhi, demonstrating extraordinary mental toughness and determination despite the personal tragedy. This incident demonstrated his emotional fortitude and solidified his reputation as a cricket player who is devoted to the game and has a strong enthusiasm for it.
Education:
Before attending Saviour Convent School in Paschim Vihar, Delhi, Virat Kohli finished his early education at Vishal Bharti Public School. He was a passably decent student, but it soon became apparent that cricket was his passion. Academics eventually took a backseat as his cricketing obligations grew. Virat was renowned early on for his unrelenting discipline, focus, and commitment to the game.
A little boy who was usually the first to come to practice and the last to depart is remembered by his early coaches and mentors. Kohli’s habit of pleading for more batting time in the nets demonstrated his enthusiasm and drive to go better. His future achievement was made possible by his unwavering passion and ambition. His rise from a schoolboy cricket player to one of the world’s best batters is evidence of his dedication, work ethic, and love for the sport.
Virat Kohli: Cricket Journey
The most noteworthy part of Virat’s career was leading the Indian U-19 team to victory in the 2008 ICC U-19 World Cup. His career started at the junior level. His senior debut later that year was made possible by that triumph. His skill and combative mentality immediately stood out in India’s batting lineup.
Kohli solidified his position in Tests and T20s after being one of the most reliable chasers in ODI history. The Indian cricket culture was transformed by his versatility in all formats and his emphasis on fitness.
Journey in the IPL and Domestic
After being acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the first IPL auction in 2008, Virat Kohli has stayed devoted to the team. Kohli is one of the most recognizable batsmen in the IPL and the all-time top scorer for RCB. He achieved a record-breaking 973 runs, including four hundred, in the 2016 Indian Premier League, which remains his most memorable season.
Kohli developed his domestic cricket abilities for Delhi before becoming a household name in the IPL, regularly winning competitions like the Ranji Trophy. His strong technique, attitude, and desire for runs—qualities that would eventually characterize his international career—were developed during these formative years in first-class cricket.
International Career of Virat Kohli:
After making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008, Virat Kohli immediately became one of India’s best limited-overs batsmen, with more than 13,000 runs and more than 46 hundreds. Since making his Test debut in 2011, Kohli has been a reliable player worldwide, amassing over 29 hundred, including seven double hundreds.
He was awarded Player of the Tournament in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and was the first player to achieve 4,000 T20I runs. He made his debut in T20I in 2010. Kohli took over as the Test captain in 2014 and went on to captain India in all formats by 2017. India won its first Test series in Australia under his leadership and retained the ICC No. 1 Test ranking for a significant period.
Injuries and Comebacks
Virat Kohli’s career has been generally injury-free, which is evidence of his constant dedication to discipline and fitness. He has maintained his peak physical condition thanks mainly to his rigorous exercise regimen, well-balanced diet, and commitment to general health. However, Kohli has seen several difficulties throughout the years, just like any other top athlete. He has experienced stiffness in his neck and back, most notably during the 2018 England tour, when he also disclosed that he was having trouble with a slipped disc.
He has also experienced hamstring problems, especially in the latter half of lengthy cricket seasons. Despite these obstacles, Kohli’s proactive attitude to recuperation, rehabilitation, and preventive therapy has reduced his downtime. He has maintained his consistency and dependability as a top performer by making quick and successful comebacks because of his mental toughness and attention to physical health.
A new generation of Indian cricket players has been inspired by Kohli’s fitness-first mentality, which has also changed the sport’s athletic standards.
Personal life of Virat Kohli
Fans worldwide were enchanted by Virat Kohli’s December 2017 marriage to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a stunning, private wedding in Italy. Since the birth of their daughter Vamika in January 2021, the pair has carefully balanced their private and public lives. Beyond cricket, Kohli is hailed as a fitness icon who has motivated millions with his self-control and metamorphosis.
Through the Virat Kohli Foundation, he is dedicated to philanthropy, emphasizing animal welfare and impoverished children. His passion for animals is widely known, and he actively supports organizations essential to their welfare. With businesses like One8, a lifestyle partnership with Puma, and Wrogn, a fashion company geared towards young people, Kohli is a prosperous businessman off the pitch.
He is also interested in another sport, being a part-owner of the Indian Super League football team FC Goa. His character is properly complex enough to categorize him as a present-day role model.
Career Statistics of Virat Kohli
Test Debut:
Virat Kohli made his Test debut vs. West Indies on June 20, 2011. He has since developed into one of the best red-ball players of the contemporary period. He has played 113 Test matches as of April 2025, amassing 8,848 runs at an average of 49+, including over 30 fifties and 29 hundreds. He still has a stellar *254 as his most excellent Test score.
ODI Debut:
On August 18, 2008, Kohli made his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka. He has scored an incredible 13,848 runs at an average of 57+ in 292 ODIs, including 46 hundreds and more than 70 fifties. His highest ODI score to date is 183.
T20I Debut:
On June 12, 2010, Virat played his first Twenty20 International match against Zimbabwe. He has amassed 4,008 runs with an impressive average of 52+ in 117 games, including a century and over 37 fifties, with a peak score of *122.
IPL Debut:
Kohli joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2008 to start his IPL career. With a top score of 113, he has amassed 7,263+ runs at an average above 37 across 237 games, including 7 hundred and 50+ fifties.
Achievements:
- In 2017 and 2018, he was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year for outstanding performances across all formats.
- He demonstrated his supremacy in the 50-over format by winning the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2012, 2017, and 2018.
- Wisden named him the world’s best cricketer for three consecutive years (2016–2018).
- Quickest by any player in history to achieve ODI runs between 8,000-12,000: scored them faster than any other player.
- The only athlete to win all three ICC Awards in a single year became the first to win all three awards simultaneously in 2018.
- Twenty-six centuries in pursuit is the Indian record for most centuries in ODIs when chasing.
- In 2017, the Padma Shri Award was given to him by the Government of India for his contribution to sport.
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna is the supreme sports award that the government can bestow on a player for outstanding performance (2018).
- Under his leadership, India won a historic Test series in Australia in 2018–19.
- Fastest to 20,000 international runs (across all formats): Another noteworthy achievement throughout his illustrious career.
Here are Some of the Lesser-Known Facts about Virat Kohli:
- Dedication Over Grief: The day following his father’s passing, Kohli scored 90 runs in a Ranji match.
- As in childhood, his coach gave him that nickname in Delhi because of those chubby cheeks.
- Fitness Revolution Head: A fitness-savvy person introduced Yo-Yo testing in India.
- During this World Cup of 2015, the first glorious, over-successful Indian centurion over Pakistan is an amazing 107s.
- The Virat Kohli Foundation actively promotes the welfare of animals and impoverished children.
- Football enthusiast: co-owner of FC Goa, a team in the Indian Super League, and a massive supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Vegan Lifestyle: In 2018, I switched to a vegan diet to improve my performance and health.
- Love of Tattoos: Many tattoos, such as Lord Shiva and the Test cap number, have symbolic and spiritual connotations.
- Record Partnership: In the 2016 Indian Premier League, he and AB de Villiers shared one of the highest-ever stands of 229 runs.
- Emotional Leader: Well-known for supporting children under duress and showing their emotions.
Virat Kohli’s cricket career is a stirring tale of discipline, tenacity, and passion. Kohli’s legacy is based on his unwavering work ethic and unafraid ambition, which have helped him transform from a driven Delhi child to the most feared batsman of our time. His development further enhances his success off the pitch into a humanitarian, fitness star, and businessman. Kohli’s influence goes beyond cricket, leading India to historic victories or serving as a shining example of sportsmanship. His adventure continues, adding to his reputation one run, one century, and one roar at a time with each inning.
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