Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, is one of the greatest cricketers of all time and a former captain of the Indian cricket team. Known for his aggressive style of play, extraordinary consistency, and fitness, Kohli has broken numerous records in international cricket and remains a global icon in the sport.
Early Life and Family Background:
Childhood and Education:
From a young age, Kohli showed an immense interest in cricket. His family enrolled him at the West Delhi Cricket Academy when he was 9 years old, where he received formal training under coach Rajkumar Sharma.
Kohli’s father passed away in 2006, when Virat was just 18. Despite the personal tragedy, he played an important Ranji Trophy match for Delhi the next day, showing early signs of his passion and dedication to the sport.
Early Domestic Career:
Under-19 Success:
Kohli first came to the limelight when he led the India U-19 team to victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2008, held in Malaysia.
His performance during the tournament earned him a lot of attention, and he was soon fast-tracked into the senior national team.
Domestic Cricket:
Kohli made his debut in domestic cricket for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in 2006. His performances in domestic cricket helped him establish himself as a future star for India.
International Career:
ODI Debut and Early Years (2008-2011):
Initially, he played as a backup opener but soon made his mark with consistent performances.
One of his early highlights came in 2009, when he scored his maiden ODI century (107) against Sri Lanka, solidifying his place in the team.
By 2011, Kohli had become a regular in the Indian ODI team and was part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. He scored a crucial 35 runs in the final against Sri Lanka.
Test Debut and Rise (2011-2014):
Kohli made his Test debut in June 2011, against the West Indies. After a few initial struggles, he cemented his place in the Test team with a century against Australia in Adelaide in 2012, showcasing his adaptability in all formats.
Over the next few years, Kohli consistently performed across formats, often leading India’s batting lineup with his ability to chase down big totals and score hundreds under pressure.
In 2012, he also rose to prominence as a captain, leading India in several ODI series when MS Dhoni was rested.
Captaincy and Golden Years (2014-2021):
Test Captaincy: Virat Kohli took over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 during the India-Australia series and eventually became the full-time captain in all three formats by 2017.
Under his leadership, India became the No. 1 ranked Test team in the world, maintaining the spot for several years.
Kohli’s aggressive captaincy style brought a new energy to the team, particularly in overseas Test matches. India won their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-2019 under his leadership.
He is one of the most successful Indian Test captains, with numerous victories both at home and abroad.
ODI and T20I Success:
Kohli is regarded as one of the best ODI batsmen in cricket history. His ability to chase targets is legendary, earning him the nickname “Chase Master.”
He became the fastest batsman to reach 10,000 ODI runs, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Kohli has numerous records in T20 internationals and has consistently been one of the top run-scorers in the format. He played a key role in India’s victories and runs in several ICC tournaments, though an ICC trophy as captain eluded him.
Stepping Down as Captain:
In 2021, after the T20 World Cup, Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I captain and was soon replaced as the ODI captain as well.
In 2022, Kohli also resigned from Test captaincy after a historic series loss against South Africa.
His leadership had a lasting impact on the Indian cricket team, especially in terms of fitness standards and the aggressive style of play.
Indian Premier League (IPL):
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
Kohli has been a long-serving player for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008.
He became the captain of RCB in 2013 and led the team for several years, although the team never won an IPL title under his captaincy.
Kohli’s 2016 IPL season is one of the best-ever individual performances, where he scored 973 runs, including four centuries in a single season.
Personal Achievements:
Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs, breaking several long-standing records held by cricket legends.
First Indian cricketer to score seven double centuries in Test cricket.
Kohli has been awarded the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor, and has won multiple ICC awards, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year multiple times.
Kohli was named in the Wisden Cricketers of the Decade list and consistently ranks among the highest-earning and most influential athletes in the world.
Personal Life:
Marriage: Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Italy. The couple is often referred to as “Virushka” and is one of the most high-profile celebrity couples in India.
Family: The couple welcomed their daughter, Vamika, in January 2021.
Fitness and Diet:
Virat Kohli is known for his extraordinary fitness regime, which has helped him perform at the highest level for over a decade. He switched to a plant-based diet in 2018, which he credits for his improved fitness and energy levels.
Philanthropy and Business:
Virat Kohli Foundation: Kohli runs the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and athletes.
Business Ventures: Kohli has invested in several business ventures, including fitness chains, fashion brands, and startups.