Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer who plays top-order batter. He currently captains the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been with the team since its inception and the beginning of his career. Kohli is the only player to represent a single IPL franchise since the league’s inception in 2008.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket batsmen of all time, Virat Kohli boasts many accolades today for his cricket performances. He was a four-time ICC ODI Player of the Year, two-time ICC Cricketer of the Year, and three-time Wisden World Leading Cricketer, among many others. He’s been honored nationally with the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, and the Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor. He also made Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2018.
This article explores the life of this living legend: his bio, family, career, net worth, etc.
Virat Kohli’s Early Life, Family and Education
Born on November 05 in Delhi, India, Virat Kohli grew up in a family of five. His father, mother, older brother, Vikas, and older sister, Bhawna. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a housewife.
Virat Kohli grew up in Uttam Nagar, West New Delhi, where he started his education at the Vishal Bharti Public School when he was only three. At this tender age, his family began to notice his love for cricket. This prompted his enrollment at the West Delhi Cricket Academy as soon as it was created in 1998. He was, in fact, one of the first students to train at the school at that time.
By 2002, Kohli was already playing for the Delhi Under-15 team. His father played a vital role in supporting and motivating him throughout. However, tragedy struck when his father passed away suddenly in December 2006. This loss deeply affected Kohli, leading him to become even more dedicated to cricket to honor his father’s memory.
Virat Kohli Career
By February 2006, Kohli had started playing for the Delhi senior team. He initially didn’t show an impressive performance, scoring only ten runs in his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu. However, by December, he turned around his game, scoring 90 runs in a match against Karnataka and helping Delhi draw the Test match.
His impressive performances eventually got him to the international stage, where he captained the Indian Under-19 cricket team to victory at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2008. Coincidentally, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was launching then. He immediately caught the attention of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), earning himself a contract worth $30,000.
International Career
Kohli’s brilliance in the Under-19 World Cup not only earned him a contract with the RCB but also a top spot on the Indian national cricket team. In 2008, Kohli made his international debut in an ODI match against Sri Lanka, scoring 12 runs. The following year, he impressed with 405 runs in nine innings during the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia. That performance earned him a spot in the 2011 ODI World Cup team.
Most cricket pundits and sportsbooks didn’t consider India favorites in the tournament as they hadn’t won the ODI trophy in 28 years. However, this long title drought further made Kohli’s pivotal moment in the final more iconic. He scored 35 crucial runs in the final, as India lifted the trophy for the first time in almost three decades. You can read more here about how to find the best odds for cricket betting.
By 2012, Kohli established himself in the national team, earning a vice-captain position for the ODI team at the 2012 Asia Cup. He delivered a legendary performance in that tournament, scoring his highest ODI score of 183 and finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. In 2013, he took over as the test cricket captain when M.S. Dhoni was sidelined due to injury.
In contrast to his IPL career, Virat Kohli has seen considerable success with the Indian national team. He began by winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and claimed the ACC Asia Cup thrice (2010, 2016, 2023). He was also part of the squads that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Additionally, Kohli led India to secure the ICC Test mace for three straight years from 2017 to 2019.
IPL Career
Kohli’s start to his IPL career was a little more discouraging than he would have imagined. In his inaugural year of the IPL, he scored a single run but fell early to a dismissal. He initially started in the middle-order batter role, where he needed to improve. His initial struggles led to a tactical move to place him back at the top order during a match against the Deccan Chargers. This adjustment allowed him to regain his form and significantly contribute to his team’s success.
Virat Kohli became a consistent performer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. His remarkable displays led to him becoming the vice-captain in 2010. He later took over as the team’s captain in 2013, holding the position for the next eight seasons.
Unfortunately, Kohli has been quite unlucky in securing titles throughout his career with the RCB. The team ended up runner-up in the IPL three times and in the Champions League 2011. Even though Kohli scored the most runs in IPL history, his lack of titles is a bummer for his fans.
Virat Kohli Information Table
Below is every detail you might want to know about Virat Kohli:
- Full Name: Virat Kohli
- Date of Birth: November 05, 1988, Delhi
- Age: 35y 165d
- Gender: Male
- Nickname: Cheeku
- Height (approx.): 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair colour: Black
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Birth Place: Delhi, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Religion: Hinduism
- Ethnicity: Indian
- Education: Vishal Bharti Public School, Delhi; Savior Convent Senior Secondary School, Paschim Vihar, Delhi.
- Profession: Professional Indian Cricketer
- Role: Top Order Batter
- Jersey No: 18
- Batting Style: Right-Hand Bat
- Bowling Style: Right-arm Medium
- Teams: India , Delhi cricket team(Ranji) IPL Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Wife: Anushka Sharma
- Daughter: Vamika
- Father: Prem Kohli
- Mother: Saroj Kohli
- Brother: Vikas Kohli
- Sister: Bhawna Kohli
- Wife: Anushka Sharma
- Children: Vamika (b. 11 January 2021) Akaay (b. 15 February 2024)
- Net Worth: $26m
Conclusion
Virat Kohli’s journey from a budding cricketer in Delhi to a global cricket icon is remarkable. His passion, talent, and determination have earned him numerous accolades and worldwide admiration.
