Virat Kohli Biography – Life, Career, Records & Legacy of the Modern Cricket Legend
Introduction
Virat Kohli is one of the most iconic cricketers in the history of the sport. Known for his aggressive style, unmatched consistency, and inspirational leadership, Kohli has shaped the modern era of Indian cricket. From breaking batting records to leading India to historic wins, his journey has become the stuff of legends. In this in-depth Virat Kohli biography, we’ll cover every phase of his life and career — from his childhood to becoming a global cricket icon.
Early Life and Background
Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi, India, into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. He has an older brother, Vikas, and an older sister, Bhavna. Kohli was introduced to cricket at a very young age, picking up the bat when he was just three years old. His early obsession with cricket led his family to enroll him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA) at the age of nine, where he trained under Rajkumar Sharma.
Kohli’s early education took place at Vishal Bharti Public School, and later he shifted to Saviour Convent in Paschim Vihar to balance his cricket practice with academics. His father passed away in 2006 due to a cerebral stroke, a tragic event that would deeply affect him but also push him to pursue cricket with even more intensity.
Domestic Career and U-19 Journey
Virat Kohli made headlines during his time with the Delhi Under-15 and Under-17 teams. His performances in youth cricket were stellar, including a remarkable 251* for Delhi in an Under-17 match. He debuted for the Delhi senior team in 2006 in a Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu. Notably, the day after his father’s death, Kohli still went on to bat for Delhi, scoring 90 runs in a show of incredible mental strength.
His breakthrough came when he led the India U-19 team to victory in the 2008 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia. Kohli’s leadership, coupled with vital performances with the bat, earned him massive attention. Soon after, he was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first-ever IPL auction the same year. The stage was now set for his international debut.
International Career
Early Years (2008–2012)
Virat Kohli made his ODI debut for India in August 2008 against Sri Lanka. He scored his first fifty in the fourth match of the series, helping India chase a challenging target. He was part of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy squad and gained a reputation as a consistent run-scorer in limited-overs cricket.
In 2010, Kohli scored his first ODI century against Sri Lanka in Kolkata. By 2011, he was part of India’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored a century in the opening game against Bangladesh. Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score a century on World Cup debut. He played a supporting role in the tournament and lifted the World Cup as part of the Dhoni-led side.
Rise to Stardom (2013–2016)
The period between 2013 to 2016 witnessed Kohli’s transformation into India’s batting mainstay. He consistently scored across all formats and established himself as one of the best chasers in ODI history. His Test performances also improved dramatically, especially after being appointed Test captain in 2014 following MS Dhoni’s retirement from the format.
Under his captaincy, India won their first Test series in Sri Lanka in 22 years and dominated at home with victories against South Africa, England, and Australia. Kohli became known for his aggressive captaincy style and emphasis on fitness and fast bowling.
2016 – The Peak of Kohli’s Batting Dominance
The year 2016 is often hailed as Virat Kohli’s golden period, particularly in T20 cricket. He scored 973 runs in a single IPL season, a record that still stands. He also performed exceptionally in the Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup that year, averaging over 80 across both tournaments.
In Test cricket, Kohli started piling on double centuries against teams like West Indies, England, and Bangladesh. By 2017, he became the first player to score double centuries in four consecutive Test series. His consistency made him the backbone of India’s batting lineup across formats.
2018 – Conquering Foreign Pitches
Kohli silenced critics who doubted his performance outside the subcontinent. His standout moment came during the 2018 Test series in England, where he scored 593 runs in 5 Tests, topping the batting charts. He followed this with a brilliant performance in Australia as India won their first-ever Test series Down Under in 2018-19.
During this period, he also became the fastest batsman to reach 10,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 205 innings.
2019–2021 – Leadership and Workload
In 2019, Kohli led India to the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup, finishing as one of the top teams. However, the semi-final loss to New Zealand was a big setback. While Kohli continued to score runs, he faced growing pressure as captain, especially with no ICC trophy under his leadership.
His form dipped slightly in 2020 and 2021, with a long century drought raising questions. After India’s loss in the World Test Championship final and a disappointing T20 World Cup 2021, Kohli stepped down as T20I captain and was later removed from ODI captaincy by the BCCI. In early 2022, he also resigned from Test captaincy, marking the end of an era.
2022–2023 – Return to Form
After a brief slump, Kohli stormed back to form in late 2022. He scored his 71st international century in an Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, breaking a three-year-long drought. In 2023, during the ODI World Cup hosted by India, Kohli was at his absolute best.
He finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in a single World Cup and notched up his 50th ODI century, becoming the first player to do so. Though India lost the final to Australia, Kohli was awarded Player of the Tournament.
Captaincy Highlights
- Test captain from 2014 to 2022: Kohli led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 – the most by any Indian captain.
- ODI captain from 2013 to 2021: India won 65 of 95 matches under his captaincy.
- T20I captain from 2017 to 2021: Won 30 out of 50 matches.
- Under Kohli, India became the No. 1 ranked Test team and achieved several overseas Test victories, especially in Australia and England.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Career
Virat Kohli has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since the inaugural season in 2008 and is the only player to represent a single franchise for so long.
- Captain from 2013 to 2021.
- Holds the record for most runs in IPL history with over 7,000 runs.
- His best IPL season came in 2016, scoring 973 runs with 4 centuries.
- He won the title with RCB in 2025 after being in the team since its inception.
Playing Style
Virat Kohli is known for his aggressive batting, incredible fitness, and hunger for runs. His playing style includes:
- Technique: Strong bottom hand, wristy flicks, and cover drives.
- Chasing Master: Arguably the best chaser in ODI history.
- Fitness-first approach: Revolutionized Indian cricket’s focus on fitness and fielding.
- Versatile: Adapts across all formats – Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
Personal Life
In December 2017, Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Italy. The couple welcomed their daughter Vamika in January 2021.
Kohli is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He co-owns fitness chain Chisel, fashion brand Wrogn, and has launched the Virat Kohli Foundation to support underprivileged athletes.
Records and Achievements
Virat Kohli has broken numerous records across all formats of the game. Here are some of his most notable achievements:
Batting Records
- Most centuries in ODI cricket (50) – Surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.
- Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 and 12,000 ODI runs.
- Most runs in a single IPL season (973 in 2016).
- Only player to score 400+ runs in an IPL season 5 times.
- First Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018-19).
- Scored seven double centuries as Test captain – a world record.
- ICC Men’s Player of the Decade (2010–2019).
ICC Tournament Performances
- 2011 Cricket World Cup Winner.
- 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Winner.
- Top run scorer in 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups.
- Player of the Tournament in 2023 ODI World Cup.
Captaincy Milestones
- Most Test wins by an Indian captain (40).
- Most successful Indian Test captain overseas.
- First Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia.
Awards and Recognition
Virat Kohli’s excellence on and off the field has earned him prestigious accolades:
- Padma Shri – India’s fourth-highest civilian award (2017).
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna) – India’s highest sporting honor (2018).
- Arjuna Award – For outstanding performance in sports (2013).
- ICC Cricketer of the Year – 2017 and 2018.
- ICC Test Player of the Year – 2018.
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World – 2016, 2017, 2018.
- Named in Forbes’ list of world’s highest-paid athletes multiple times.
- Over 250 million followers on Instagram – among the most followed athletes globally.
Legacy and Impact
Virat Kohli’s influence extends beyond his stats. He is credited with:
- Redefining Indian cricket’s culture – focusing on fitness, aggression, and self-belief.
- Setting new standards for chasing in ODIs.
- Inspiring a generation of cricketers with his commitment to the game.
- Advocating for mental health, animal rights, and athlete welfare through his platforms.
His aggressive leadership style, commitment to excellence, and unwavering passion have made him a role model not just in India but across the cricketing world. Even critics acknowledge his contribution to making India a dominant force in world cricket.
With still more cricket ahead, Kohli’s story is far from over. Every inning he plays continues to add to a legacy that will inspire generations.
