Facts about Virat Kohli

Introduction

In the contemporary world of cricket, one name shines with relentless brilliance—Virat Kohli. Known for his aggressive attitude, unparalleled consistency, and insatiable hunger for runs, Kohli has emerged as one of the finest cricketers of his generation. Whether chasing a daunting total or representing the pride of a billion Indians, Kohli has displayed unwavering passion and commitment.

Table of Contents

From a flamboyant Delhi teenager to the former captain of the Indian cricket team, Kohli’s journey is a story of talent meeting discipline, hunger meeting hard work, and dreams transforming into greatness. He isn’t just a cricketer; he’s a phenomenon.

Early Life and Background

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, to Prem Kohli, a criminal lawyer, and Saroj Kohli, a homemaker. From an early age, he showed a remarkable affinity for cricket. At just nine years old, he joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy, where coach Rajkumar Sharma recognized his raw talent and instilled discipline and structure into his game.

Kohli’s journey wasn’t always smooth. In 2006, while playing a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, he lost his father overnight due to a stroke. Despite the personal tragedy, he chose to continue his innings the next morning and scored 90 runs, showcasing a glimpse of the mental toughness that would later define his career.

Rising Star: The U-19 World Cup (2008)

Virat Kohli’s real breakthrough came in 2008, when he captained the Indian U-19 team to victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. His aggressive leadership and consistent batting performances caught the attention of national selectors and the cricketing world.

That same year, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Later in 2008, he made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka. Although his early performances were modest, it was evident that he had the temperament and skill required for international cricket.

Establishing Himself: ODI Success (2009–2011)

Kohli began to cement his place in the Indian ODI team between 2009 and 2011. His maiden century came against Sri Lanka in 2009, and from there, he never looked back. His ability to chase targets with composure and aggression made him India’s most dependable middle-order batsman.

During this period:

He became the fastest Indian to score 1,000 and 3,000 ODI runs.
His consistency and maturity made him a favorite of then-captain MS Dhoni.
His fitness levels and running between the wickets set new standards.

In the 2011 ICC World Cup, Kohli played a key role. He scored a century in the opening match against Bangladesh and was a steady presence throughout India’s victorious campaign.

From Talent to Titan: 2012–2015

Between 2012 and 2015, Kohli transformed into a global superstar. He began scoring centuries across all formats, in every condition, and against all major opponents. His performances were no longer flashes of brilliance—they were routine.

Some highlights:

Scored 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, one of the best ODI knocks ever.
Played a series of crucial innings in overseas tours, especially in Australia and South Africa.
Rose to No. 1 in the ICC ODI rankings.

In Test cricket, Kohli’s breakthrough came during the 2014 tour of Australia, where he scored four centuries in four Tests, even as India struggled. Despite the loss, Kohli’s fearless approach against quality fast bowling was widely praised.

Captaincy Era: Leadership and Responsibility (2014–2022)

Test Captaincy

Kohli took over as Test captain in 2014 after MS Dhoni’s retirement from the longest format. Under his leadership, India became a dominant force in world cricket. His aggressive captaincy style, emphasis on fast bowling, and fitness revolutionized the team culture.

Achievements under Kohli’s Test captaincy:

Most successful Indian Test captain with 40 wins in 68 Tests.
Led India to five consecutive Test series wins against England, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
Took India to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2021.

Limited-Overs Captaincy

Kohli succeeded Dhoni as the full-time captain in ODIs and T20Is in 2017. Under him:

India remained No. 1 in ICC rankings for a significant period.
He led India to a historic ODI series win in South Africa in 2018.
He was captain during India’s 2019 World Cup campaign, where the team reached the semi-finals.

Despite his leadership success, Kohli stepped down as T20I captain in 2021, and later, the BCCI replaced him as ODI captain, following which he resigned as Test captain in early 2022.

King of Chases and Batting Records

Virat Kohli is often referred to as the “Chase Master”. His numbers while chasing in ODIs are legendary. He has the most centuries in successful run chases and maintains an average over 60 in such scenarios.

Key Batting Records:

Most centuries in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar (Virat has 50 ODI tons as of 2023).
Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.
Over 25,000 international runs across formats.
One of only a few players to average over 50 in all three formats.

His aggressive stroke play, impeccable fitness, and remarkable consistency have made him one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

The IPL Journey

Virat Kohli has been an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise since the inaugural IPL in 2008. He was appointed captain in 2013 and led the side until 2021. While an IPL trophy has eluded him, his performances have been stellar.

IPL Highlights:

Most runs in IPL history (Over 7,000 runs).
In 2016, he scored a record 973 runs in a single season, including four centuries.
Continues to be the face of the franchise, known for his passion and intensity.

Off the Field: Fitness Icon and Role Model

One of Kohli’s most influential contributions has been his fitness revolution in Indian cricket. Inspired by athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kohli adopted a rigorous fitness regime that transformed his game and inspired younger players to prioritize fitness.

He is a teetotaler, follows a strict diet, and emphasizes discipline in lifestyle. He popularized Yo-Yo tests in Indian cricket and pushed for higher fitness benchmarks.

Beyond cricket:

Launched the Virat Kohli Foundation to support underprivileged athletes.
Engaged in animal rights activism and environmental causes.
Married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in 2017. The couple welcomed their daughter Vamika in 2021.

Comeback and Return to Form (2022–2023)

After a brief slump between 2020–2022, where Kohli went over 1000 days without an international century, critics began questioning his longevity. However, Kohli made a strong comeback:

Scored his 71st international century in the Asia Cup 2022.
Played a match-winning 82 against Pakistan* in the 2022 T20 World Cup—hailed as one of the greatest T20I innings.
Became the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history.
Scored multiple hundreds in ODIs in 2023, reminding the world of his class.

2023 ODI World Cup: A Glorious Campaign

Virat Kohli’s performance in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in India, was extraordinary:

Scored 765 runs—the most by any batter in a single World Cup.
Hit 3 centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries.
Named Player of the Tournament, despite India narrowly losing the final to Australia.

His consistency and determination silenced all doubts and reaffirmed his place among the greatest to ever play the game.

Legacy and Impact

Virat Kohli’s impact goes beyond records. He changed the way Indian cricket approached fitness, professionalism, and aggression. He carried the hopes of a billion fans and delivered, again and again.

Kohli is the face of a confident, modern India—ambitious, fearless, and relentless in pursuit of excellence. He has inspired a generation to dream big, work hard, and never settle.