Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, into a Punjabi family. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer known for his integrity, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, devoted herself to raising the family. Virat grew up in Uttam Nagar, a middle-class neighborhood in Delhi, with his elder brother Vikas and sister Bhavna.
From a young age, Virat was energetic and passionate. He attended Vishal Bharti Public School, where his interest in cricket began to stand out. His family recalls that as a child, he would often insist on holding a cricket bat and rarely let go of it.
In 1998, recognizing his natural talent, his father enrolled him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA) under coach Rajkumar Sharma. Here, his game began to mature quickly. His dedication to training, punctuality, and intense discipline even at the age of 9 impressed everyone around him.
Tragedy struck in 2006, when Virat’s father passed away due to a brain stroke. Virat was only 18, yet instead of succumbing to grief, he used the loss as fuel to push himself harder in cricket. Famously, just a day after attending his father’s funeral, Virat turned up to play a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi and scored a crucial 90 runs – a testament to his mental toughness and commitment.
Cricket Career
Early Domestic Career
Kohli first came into the spotlight while captaining the India Under-19 team to victory at the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. His aggressive leadership style and consistent batting laid the foundation for his future in international cricket.
Debut Matches
- First-Class Debut (2006) – Played for Delhi in Ranji Trophy.
- ODI Debut (August 18, 2008) – Against Sri Lanka.
- T20I Debut (June 12, 2010) – Against Zimbabwe.
- Test Debut (June 20, 2011) – Against West Indies.
- IPL Debut (2008) – Selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Rise to Stardom
Virat’s ODI career picked up pace after 2010, when he became one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen. His ability to chase targets under pressure earned him the title “Chase Master”.
His aggressive batting, coupled with an unmatched consistency, made him a backbone of India’s batting lineup. By 2013, he was already considered the future of Indian cricket, and in 2014 he was handed the Test captaincy, succeeding MS Dhoni.
Major Achievements & Records
- Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs, breaking several long-standing records.
- First cricketer to score 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record in 2023.
- Most centuries in ODI World Cups (7), showcasing his dominance in big tournaments.
- Most double centuries (7) as a Test captain, highlighting his ability to play long innings.
- Most runs in T20 internationals (as of 2024), underlining his adaptability.
- First Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018–19) – a historic achievement.
- 973 runs in IPL 2016 – the highest in a single season of IPL, with 4 centuries.
- Named ICC Cricketer of the Decade (2010–2020).
Captaincy Record
- Test Captain (2014–2022) – 68 Matches | 40 Wins | 17 Losses | 11 Draws.
- ODI Captain (2017–2021) – 95 Matches | 65 Wins | 27 Losses | 3 No Results.
- T20I Captain (2017–2021) – 50 Matches | 30 Wins | 16 Losses | 4 No Results.
Kohli’s leadership was defined by aggression, fitness culture, and self-belief. He transformed the Indian team into one of the fittest and most competitive sides in world cricket. Although he stepped down from captaincy in 2022, his legacy as one of India’s most successful captains remains intact.
Personal Life
- Father: Prem Kohli (Criminal lawyer, passed away in 2006).
- Mother: Saroj Kohli (Homemaker).
- Siblings:
- Vikas Kohli (Brother).
- Bhavna Kohli (Sister).
- Vikas Kohli (Brother).
- Wife: Anushka Sharma (Bollywood actress, married in 2017 in Italy).
- Children:
- Vamika Kohli (Daughter, born 2021).
- Akaay Kohli (Son, born 2024).
- Vamika Kohli (Daughter, born 2021).
Physical Stats
- Height: 5’9” (175 cm).
- Weight: ~70 kg (154 lbs).
- Eye Color: Dark Brown.
- Hair Color: Black.
Awards & Honors
- Arjuna Award (2013).
- Padma Shri (2017).
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2018).
- ICC Cricketer of the Decade (2010–2020).
- ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year – 2012, 2017, 2018.
- ICC Test Cricketer of the Year (2018).
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year – 2019, 2020.
IPL Career
- Franchise: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
- Captaincy: Led RCB from 2013 to 2021.
- Highest Score: 113 vs Punjab Kings (2016).
- Most Runs in IPL History – Over 7,000 (as of 2024).
- Unique Record: The only cricketer to remain loyal to one franchise since IPL 2008.
His partnership with RCB has become legendary, and despite not winning an IPL title yet, his performances and loyalty make him the face of the franchise.
Playing Style & Fitness
Kohli is known for his aggressive batting style, sharp running between wickets, and flawless cover drives. Unlike many players, he thrives under pressure, especially in run chases.
He also revolutionized fitness in Indian cricket by introducing high standards of training, diet, and discipline. His yo-yo test benchmarks set a new fitness culture for the national team, inspiring the next generation.
Legacy & Influence
Virat Kohli is considered one of the greatest cricketers in modern history. His passion, consistency, and hunger for runs have set him apart. He has inspired a new generation of Indian players to adopt fitness and discipline as a way of life.
Beyond cricket, Kohli is a global icon with massive influence in sports, fashion, and philanthropy. He runs the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and promotes sports.
Even after stepping down as captain, Virat remains the backbone of Indian cricket, continuing to break records and inspire millions around the world.
