Virat Kohli is one of the most famous cricketers of the new generation, known for his attacking batting style, unbeatable consistency, and passionate leadership. One of the greatest batsmen the world has ever witnessed, Kohli has shattered record books and won over a generation with his on-field performance and off-field discipline. The journey from a teenage boy in Delhi to the captain of the Indian cricket team and global sporting legend is one of perseverance, dedication, and resolve.
Early Life and Youth Career
Virat Kohli was born on 5th November 1988 in Delhi, India. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal attorney and his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a housewife. Kohli became interested in cricket at a very young age and he enrolled himself in the West Delhi Cricket Academy at the age of nine. He trained under Rajkumar Sharma, a coach, who saw his tremendous potential.
Kohli first hit headlines during the 2006 Ranji Trophy when he scored a vital knock for Delhi a day after his father's death. His grittiness and perseverance were visible right from then, and they were two of the defining traits of his career.
International Career
2008–2011: Early Years and Rise to Prominence
Kohli took India U-19 to the victory in the 2008 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, getting selected for the senior national team. Kohli represented India in his first ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2008 but could not initially establish himself. Yet, he continued to prove himself over time, hitting his first ODI century in 2009 against Sri Lanka.
By the 2011 ICC World Cup, Kohli had found a place in the Indian middle order. His hundred against Bangladesh on the opening match of the tournament proved his worth under pressure. India won the World Cup, and Kohli emerged as a key component of the team's future.
2012–2019: Command Across All Formats and Captaincy
Over the years, Kohli became one of the most authoritative batsmen globally. He excelled most when chasing down scores, hence being dubbed the "Chase Master." He could score centuries when it mattered most, thus being India's go-to man during critical situations.
Kohli became the Test captain in 2014 and limited-overs captain in 2017. With him in command, India reached new summits, with victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia (2018-19) and the final of the World Test Championship (2021).
At this time when his batting was at the peak, Kohli broke a number of records set by the greats including Sachin Tendulkar in becoming the fastest batsman to achieve 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 ODI runs.
2020–Present: Leaving Captaincy and Continuing Brilliance
Kohli stepped down as India's T20 captain in 2021, followed by ODI and Test captaincy in early 2022. Though he relinquished captaincy, he is still a key member of India's batting unit, setting records and giving match-winning performances on a consistent basis.
Franchise Career: IPL and RCB Journey
Kohli has been the icon of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008. He set a record IPL season in 2016 with 973 runs—the highest in a single season. Even though RCB has not yet won the championship, Kohli remains one of the most popular and renowned players in the league.
Player Profile and Playing Style
Virat Kohli has a reputation for his aggressive and fearless mode of play.His technical correctness, fast footwork, and the capacity to play off both ends of the ground make him one of the most well-balanced batsmen in cricket history.
• Batting Style: Right-handed, attacking stroke-maker
• Strengths: Cover drive, flick shots, running between wickets
• Fitness: Kohli's fitness mania transformed Indian cricket. His regimen of diet, strength training, and endurance created new standards in fitness.
Personal Life
Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017 in an intimate Italian ceremony. They had their first child, daughter Vamika, in January 2021. They are two of the most influential couples in India, juggling top-level careers alongside private family lives.
Off the Field: Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Apart from cricket, Kohli is also a successful entrepreneur. He has various fitness chain stores under the "Virat Kohli Foundation", endorses sportswear and health firms, and has investments in fitness startups.
Kohli is also involved in charity work, more so in children's welfare and education programs.
His foundation works towards assisting underprivileged sports persons, who are provided with financial and training assistance.
Performance Records and International Centuries
Kohli has broken records consistently in every format. At present, he has over 75 international centuries to his name, second only to Sachin Tendulkar in overall centuries.
Records:
• Quickest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 ODI runs.
•Most centuries in successful ODI run-chases.
•First individual with 50 ODIs centuries.
•Most double centuries by an Indian in Tests.
•First man with 973 IPL runs in a year (2016).
Awards and Honours
The contributions of Kohli to cricket have been appreciated with several high-profile awards:
•Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2018) – India's highest sports award
•Padma Shri (2017) – India's fourth-highest civilian award
•ICC Cricketer of the Year (2017, 2018)
•ICC ODI Player of the Year (2012, 2017, 2018)
•Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Legacy and Stardom
Virat Kohli is not only a cricketer but also a synonym for passion, discipline, and excellence. He cannot be compared to anyone else when it comes to his contribution to Indian cricket, as he has revolutionized the fitness level and imbued the team with an attacking and fearless attitude. His attacking captaincy and ravenous hunger for runs have inspired generations of youngsters.
Even though he resigned as captain, his on-field presence continues to be as electric as ever. With millions of fans worldwide, Kohli is still an international cricket icon and one of the sport's most marketable personalities in the world. His tale is yet to be told, and cricketing fans worldwide wait for more success from this new-age legend.
