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From Delhi's under-19 captain to the most prolific century-maker in ODI history
Virat Kohli is one of the most successful and influential cricketers in history. Known for his aggressive intensity, superb fitness and unmatched record in run chases, he has broken many of Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing records. Beyond cricket, he is one of India's biggest sporting brands and among the most-followed athletes on social media worldwide.
Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi to Prem Kohli, a criminal lawyer, and Saroj Kohli. He joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy at age nine under coach Rajkumar Sharma. In 2006, while playing a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, he learned his father had died overnight — and returned to bat the next morning, an episode often cited as the root of his famous mental toughness.
Kohli captained India to victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. Months later, he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in August 2008. He was part of India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup winning team and made his Test debut the same year.
| Format | Captaincy period | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 2014–2022 | India's most successful Test captain; first Test series win in Australia (2018–19) |
| ODI | 2017–2021 | Champions Trophy final 2017; World Cup semi-final 2019 |
| T20I | 2017–2021 | Led until 2021 T20 World Cup |
Under Kohli, India became a dominant Test side with a formidable pace attack and a strong emphasis on fitness.
Kohli has played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the first IPL season in 2008 — rare loyalty in franchise cricket. After years of near misses, RCB won its first title in 2025. In the IPL 2026 final, Kohli scored 75 not out off 42 balls to seal a second straight title against Gujarat Titans.
Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025 and now represents India only in ODIs. A hamstring injury suffered in the IPL 2026 final kept him out of the June ODI series against Afghanistan. In September 2026, he said the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will be his last World Cup for India.
Kohli has built a large business portfolio, including the clothing brand One8 and investments in fitness and sports companies. He married Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma in 2017; they have two children. Kohli is also known for adopting a strict plant-based diet and fitness regimen, which raised fitness standards across Indian cricket.
He has retired from T20 internationals (2024) and Test cricket (2025), but still plays ODIs and the IPL.
54, the most in ODI history.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, since 2008. RCB won the IPL in 2025 and 2026.
He has said he intends to, and that it will be his last World Cup for India.
Virat Kohli redefined modern batting with his consistency, intensity and appetite for big chases. As he heads toward one final World Cup, his records and the professional culture he brought to Indian cricket ensure a legacy that will last for generations.
