It would not be wrong to say that the Indian cricketing maestro Virat Kohli is the greatest cricketer of modern times. The right-handed batter has left an indelible mark in the cricketing arena with his consistency, aggressive leadership, and an unmatched passion for runs.
Just like his idol Sachin Tendulkar, Virat has redefined the aura of cricket not only in India but all across the globe. Whether it comes to thrashing bowlers irrespective of the condition or leading India to historic run chases, the Indian legend has carved a niche for himself in every aspect of the game.
In this blog, we will delve deep into the life of Virat Kohli, exploring his early life and cinematic ranks in the global cricketing arena.
The Streets of Delhi: Virat Kohli’s Biography Where it all began
If we talk about the early days of Virat Kohli, we will get to know that things were never easy for the former Indian captain. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, Virat lost his father at a tender age. However, this setback did not hold him back from working relentlessly hard for his dreams.
Virat joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA) when he was nine years old and was fortunate enough to receive training from the highly acknowledged cricket mentor Rajkumar Sharma. A highly smart reader of players’ skills, it did not take much time for Sharma to recognize Virat’s potential.
Virat played domestic cricket for Delhi at various age-group levels before getting a chance to lead the Indian U-19 contingent in the U-19 World Cup 2008.
U-19 World Cup 2008: When it all changed for Virat
The first and probably the biggest turnaround in Virat’s career came when he led India to the U-19 World Cup 2008 triumph by defeating South Africa in the final clash of the tournament. This victory not only gave him widespread recognition but also brought him into the eyes of Indian team selectors, who were searching for a young, dynamic player with remarkable leadership skills.
Virat’s solid performance of 235 runs in six innings throughout the U-19 WC 2008 not only earned him a professional contract with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but also cemented his place in the India men’s senior squad.
As of now, we got to know about the early days of Virat and his rise into the international cricket setup, we will take a look at his career so far across various formats.
Virat Kohli’s ODI career
Virat’s dominance in the ODI format remains unparalleled. His remarkable tally of 13963 runs in 297 games makes him the third-highest scorer of the One-day format, standing just beside Sachin (18426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14234).
However, it is not just Virat’s runs that make him special. While Sangakkara took 404 games to reach this mark, the former Indian skipper just needed 297* games to get there at an astonishing average of 57.93.
A defining moment in Virat’s ODI career came during the semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023 when he became the first batter to score 50 ODI centuries, surpassing his idol Sachin (49). A remarkable chaser and an inning builder, Virat has cemented himself as one of the best to grace the 50-over game. Some of Virat’s other notable ODI achievements are –
- Most runs in a series by any player – 765 ( ODI World Cup 2023)
- Fastest to reach 13,000 runs – 267 games
- Most hundreds against one team – 10 against Sri Lanka
Dominance in red ball cricket
Virat’s Test cricket career is a cinematic story of drastic transformation. From a young boy who struggled to drive on moving balls, the Delhi-born guy established himself as one of the finest test captains and batters of modern-day cricket.
Since making his debut against West Indies at Kingston in 2011, Virat has played a total of 123 games, scoring 9230 runs at a mind-boggling average of 46.85. His impact on India’s test cricket dynamics stands far more than runs. The 36-year-old has filled the conservative Indian red-ball setup with a highly aggressive approach fueled with extraordinary performances.
T20I cricket
If there is a format that has shown the best of Virat under pressure, it is none other than the high-paced t20I cricket. His surreal knock against Pakistan in the T20I World Cup 2022 in which he pulled an impossible match from the Men in Green is a big example of his class in the shortest format of the game.
With over 20 half-tonnes in the chasing cause, Virat has undeniably built a legacy in guiding India home in high-pressure encounters. His ability to manipulate fielders, switch gears accordingly, and set the tone for the upcoming batters is enough to define his aura as one of the most reliable T20I cricketers of the globe. Some of Virat’s notable T20I achievements are:
- Most fifties in T20I cricket – 39
- Fastest to score 3500 runs – 96 games
- Most Man of the Series awards by any player in T20I – 7
IPL career
Joining RCB in 2008, Virat has served as the loyalist of his IPL franchise. Though the IPL has witnessed countless players making waves over the years, the class and passion that Virat throws into the World’s biggest cricket league stands unmatched.
While RCB never lifted an IPL trophy, their former skipper’s brilliance shines high. With 8004 runs in 252 games, Virat is the highest scorer in the IL history with eight hundreds and 55 fifties. The IPL 2016, which witnessed Virat amassing 973 runs in a single season, remains one of the most memorable individual campaigns in the realm of T20 cricket.
Kohli’s captaincy era: Brilliance on-field but ICC title drought
Virat’s takeover as the captain of the Indian cricket team witnessed a dramatic transformation. While his predecessor, MS Dhoni, usually brought a calm yet smart on-field approach, Virat modified the team into a ruthless, fitness-oriented, and highly aggressive unit that dominated the world of cricket.
Though India won their first-ever Test series in Australia (2018-2019) under his captaincy and reached the final of the inaugural season of the World Test Championship in 2021, under his regime, he failed to secure any ICC title throughout his leadership era. While many critics blamed Virat’s over-aggressive approach behind India’s faltering in high-stakes games, many termed it nothing more than sheer bad luck.
Though Virat will never wear the Indian captain’s armband again in his career, he will always be remembered for crafting a dominating Indian squad well known for playing a fearless brand of cricket.
Personal life
Shedding light on Virat’s personal life, the renowned Indian cricketer has an elder sister apart from his mother. His father, Prem Kohli, who was a criminal lawyer, died in 2006 due to a cerebral attack.
Virat tied the knot with actress Anushka Sharma in 2017 in a private wedding ceremony in Italy. The couple has been blessed with two children – “Vamika” (daughter) and “Akaay” (son).
The celebrity couple often steal the limelight by posting a sneak peek of their life on social media. It is worth noting that Virat is highly conservative when it comes to protecting the privacy of his children and refrains everyone from taking their pictures.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Next challenge ahead
After a triumphant T20I World Cup 2024 campaign that witnessed India lifting the prestigious title for the second time, it’s time for Virat to embark on a new challenge – the Champions Trophy 2025.
Virat, being one of the main catalysts of dominating the Indian batting setup will have a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. Moreover, his form and performance could prove to be a crucial factor in the Indian contingent’s campaign in the forthcoming tournament.
