cricket aura

Virat Kohli (born 5 November 1988)[a] is an Indian international cricketer who plays ODI cricket for the national team and is a former captain in all formats.[3] He is a right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm medium pace bowler. Considered one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the sport, he is called the King, the Chase Master, and the Run Machine for his skills, records and ability to lead his team to victory.[4] Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League, third in T20I, third in ODI, and third in international cricket.[5] He has the most ODI centuries and the second-most centuries in international cricket.[6] Kohli is also the most successful Test captain of India with back-to-back Test mace wins and the most victories in his tenure.[7] He is the only batter to earn 900 rating points in all three formats.[8]

Kohli was the captain of the 2008 U19 World Cup–winning team and was a crucial member of the teams that won 2011 ODI World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, 2024 T20 World Cup, and 2025 Champions Trophy. He plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League and for Delhi in domestic cricket. In 2013, Kohli was ranked number one in the ODI batting rankings. In 2015, he achieved the same in T20I.[9] In 2018, he was ranked number one in Test, making him the only Indian to hold the number one spot in all three formats. He is the first player to score 20,000 runs in a decade. He was the Cricketer of the Decade for 2011 to 2020.[10]

Kohli has won ten ICC Awards, making him the most awarded player in international cricket history. He won the ODI Player of the Year award four times in 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023. He won the Cricketer of the Year award, on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, he became the first player to win all three major awards including Cricketer of the Year, ODI Player of the Year and Test Player of the Year in the same year. He was honored with the Spirit of Cricket Award in 2019 and given the Cricketer of the Decade and ODI Cricketer of the Decade in 2020. Kohli was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years.

Kohli has the most Player of the Series and second most Player of the Match awards to his name in all three formats combined. He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2017, and India's highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna Award, in 2018. Time included him on its 100 most influential people in the world list in 2018.

After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and winning the Player of the Match award in the final, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is.[11] On 12 May 2025, aged 36, he announced his retirement from the Test format.[12] He is married to actress Anushka Sharma, and they have two children.[13]

Early life

Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi into a Punjabi Hindu family. His mother Saroj Kohli is as a housewife while his father Prem Nath Kohli worked as a criminal lawyer. He has an elder brother Vikas and an elder sister Bhawna.[14] His formative years were spent in Uttam Nagar. His early education was at Vishal Bharti Public School.[15] As per his family, Kohli exhibited an early affinity for cricket as a 3-year-old. He would pick up a bat and request his father bowl to him.[16]

In 1998, the West Delhi Cricket Academy was created. In May, his father arranged for him to meet Rajkumar Sharma.[17] Upon the suggestion of their neighbours, Kohli's father considered enrolling his son in a professional cricket academy, as they believed his ability merited more than gully cricket.[18] He was unable to secure a place in the U-14 Delhi team, due to extraneous factors. His father reportedly received offers to relocate his son to influential clubs, which would ensure his selection, but he declined the proposals.

Kohli found his way into the U-15 team.[17] He received training at the academy and participated in matches at the Sumeet Dogra Academy located at Vasundhara Enclave.[19] In pursuit of furthering his cricketing career, he transferred to Saviour Convent School during his ninth-grade education.[18]

On 18 December 2006, his father died of a stroke.[15][18] As per his mother, Kohli's demeanour shifted noticeably after his father's death. He took on cricket with newfound seriousness, prioritising playing time and dedicating himself fully to the sport.[18] Kohli's family resided in Meera Bagh, Paschim Vihar until the year 2015, after which they relocated to Gurgaon.[20]

Youth career

Representing India India

U19 World Cup

2008 Malaysia Captain Player of the Match

Vs West Indies

Vs New Zealand

Delhi team

Kohli's junior cricket career kicked off in October 2002 at the Luhnu Cricket Ground against Himachal Pradesh. His first half-century in domestic cricket happened at Feroze Shah Kotla, where he scored 70 runs against Haryana.[17] By the season's end, he had amassed a total of 172 runs, emerging as the highest run-scorer for his side with an average of 34.40.[21] During the 2003–2004 season, Kohli was appointed the captain of the U-15 team. He scored 54 runs in Delhi's victory over Himachal Pradesh. In the next fixture against Jammu and Kashmir, Kohli scored his maiden century with a score of 119. By the end of the season, he had a total of 390 runs at an average of 78, which included two centuries.[22][17] Towards the end of 2004, Kohli earned selection for the 2004–2005 Vijay Merchant Trophy with the Delhi U-17 team. In the four matches that he played, Kohli had a total of 470 runs, with his highest score being 251* runs.

The team's coach, Ajit Chaudhary, lauded his performance and was particularly impressed with his temperament on the field.[17][23] He commenced the 2005–2006 season with a score of 227 against Punjab. The team later secured the tournament with a five-wicket win over Mumbai, where he contributed with a half-century in the first innings.[17] He was the highest run-scorer with a total of 757 runs from 7 matches, averaging 84.11.[24]

On 18 February 2006, Kohli made his debut in List A cricket, playing against Services in the Ranji One-Day Trophy, but he did not get the opportunity to bat during the match.[25] In 2006, Kohli got a spot in the state senior team. Subsequently, he made his first-class debut on 23 November 2006, during the opening match of the Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu.[17] During the tournament, his father died. Despite the heartbreaking news, Kohli returned to the match and scored 90 runs.[26] Chetan Chauhan, the coach, was impressed by his determination in the face of adversity. Venkatesh Prasad praised him and his knock, which was executed in the midst of an emotional turmoil.[27] Kohli attended his father's funeral post his dismissal. His innings proved to be crucial for Delhi as they were able to avoid the follow-on. The team's captain Mithun Manhas lauded Kohli.[27]

Kohli's foray into T20 cricket first happened in April 2007, during the Inter-State T20 Championship, where he emerged as the top run-getter for his team with a tally of 179 runs at an average of 35.80.[28] In Sep 2008, Kohli played in Nissar Trophy against SNGPL. He emerged as the leading scorer for Delhi in both innings.[29] During the 2009–2010 Ranji Trophy season, Kohli helped Delhi secure the bonus point required for victory.[30]

I did not see him waste his time. If not on the field, he would be busy in the gym. I saw him first as a chubby-cheeked bubbly young kid who grew into a perfect athlete. His junior cricket lessons have obviously helped him. I did not know him well, but had heard a lot about his exploits in junior cricket.

— Ashish Nehra, [17]

India U19 team

In July 2006, Kohli was selected in the India Under-19 squad on its tour of England. The team's coach Lalchand Rajput noted Kohli's adeptness in facing pace and spin bowling and showed his appreciation for his technical prowess.[31] He came into the limelight in 2008 when he led the team to victory at the2008 U19 World Cup held in Malaysia.[32] He amassed 235 runs at an average of 47, ranking as the tournament's third-highest scorer and one of three cricketers to compile a century.[33] His century, a knock of 100 runs off 74 balls, was lauded by ESPNcricinfo as "the innings of the tournament" and he won the Player of the match award.[34] Kohli's performances did not go unnoticed by the selectors who were observing his progress. He began his international cricket journey by joining the senior team in Colombo.[17]

International career

Main article: Career of Virat Kohli

Representing India India

ODI World Cup

2011 India & Bangladesh & Sri Lanka

2023 India Player of the Match

Vs Bangladesh

Vs South Africa Player of the Tournament

2015 Australia & New Zealand Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

2019 England & Wales Captain Player of the Match

Vs West Indies

T20 World Cup

2024 West Indies & United States Player of the Match

Vs South Africa

2014 Bangladesh Player of the Match

Vs South Africa Player of the Tournament

2016 India Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

Vs Australia Player of the Tournament

2022 Australia Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

Vs Bangladesh

Test Mace

2017 India Captain

Player of the Series Vs England Player of the Match Vs England (2)

Player of the Match Vs Bangladesh

2018 South Africa Captain

Player of the Series Vs Sri Lanka Player of the Match Vs Sri Lanka (2)

2019 Australia Captain

Player of the Series Vs England Player of the Match Vs England

World Test Championship

2021 England Captain Player of the Match

Vs South Africa

2023 England Captain Player of the Match

Vs Australia

2025 England

Champions Trophy

2013 England & Wales

2025 United Arab Emirates Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

Vs Australia

2017 England & Wales Captain

Asia Cup

2010 Sri Lanka

2016 Bangladesh Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

Vs Sri Lanka

2023 Sri Lanka Player of the Match

Vs Pakistan

Debut, rise and vice-captaincy (2008–2013)

Kohli made his international debut in August 2008 at the age of 19.[35] After his brilliant performances, featuring half-centuries and centuries, he was awarded a contract by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.[36] He scored his maiden ODI century, 107 off 114 balls. Alongside, he struck a brilliant 224 run partnership with Gautam Gambhir.[37][b]

In January 2010, Kohli became just the third Indian to score two ODI centuries before the age of 22.[38] He became the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 runs in ODIs, achieving this milestone in 24 innings.[39] He made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe at Harare.

He is a very physical type of player. He likes to impose himself on the game, backs it up with his skill.

— Dav Whatmore, [40]

During the 2011 ODI World Cup, he became the first Indian to score a century on his WC debut.[41] He then made his Test debut at Kingston.[42] Game after game, he created his reputation as an expert of the chase.[43] He was the leading run-getter in ODIs for the year 2011, with 1381 runs from 34 matches as well as four centuries and eight fifties.[44]

In 2012, former Australian cricketer Dean Jones called Kohli's play one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time.[45] During the 2012 Asia Cup, he was the leading run-scorer with 357 runs at an average of 119.[46] He helped India chase a score of 330, which was their highest successful ODI run chase then.[47] His knock was the highest individual score in Asia Cup history.[48] During the 2012 T20 World Cup, he scored 185 runs becoming the highest India scorer.[49] He was named in the Team of the Tournament by ICC.[50]

During the 2013 Champions Trophy India eon the tournament.[51] Kohli was named in the Team of the Tournament by the ICC.[52] In a series, he helped India chase down 360 with more than six overs left. It was the second-highest successful run-chase in ODIs at the time while Kohli's knock became the fastest century against Australia and third fastest in a run chase.[53] He also became the fastest batsman in the world to score 17 hundreds in ODIs.[54] Kohli moved to the top position in the ODI rankings due to his performance.[55]

I love watching Virat Kohli bat. He looks to me like an individual of my own heart. I love his aggression, and he has serious passion that I used to have. He reminds me of myself.

— Viv Richards, [56]

Consistency and #1 rankings (2014–2016)

During the 2014 T20 World Cup, Kohli was named the vice-captain. He made a total of 319 runs at an average of 106.33, recording the most runs by a batter in a single T20 WC tournament.[57] For his consistency, he won the Player of the Tournament award.[58]

He topped the T20I batting rankings soon after.[59] Kohli became the fastest batter in the world to go past the 6000-run mark in the ODIs.[60] In December, he was revealed to be the stand-in Test captain.[61] Kohli scored 115, becoming the fourth Indian to score a hundred on Test captaincy debut.[62]

From the beginning, I was very sure that he was a rare talent and would become a great player. He grew massively in these past few years and has matured a lot. I was fortunate to be part of that process of seeing him grow and that give me immense pleasure.

— Gary Kirsten, [63]

After MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket, he was appointed as the full-time Test captain.[64] Kohli's total of 692 runs in four Tests is the most by any Indian batsman in a Test series in Australia.[65] The 2015 ODI World Cup saw him score 107 runs from 126 deliveries against Pakistan.[66] He was awarded the Player of the Match.[67]

In 2016, he became the fastest batter in the world to make 1,000 runs in T20Is, reaching the milestone in 27 innings.[68] He became the fastest batter in the world to cross the 7000-run mark in ODIs in 161vinnings and the fastest to get to 25 centuries. He was also instrumental in India winning the 2016 Asia Cup.[69] During the 2016 T20 World Cup, his innings against Australia was "an innings of sheer class" with "clean cricket shots".[70] He scored 273 runs in 5 matches at an average of 136.50, earning him his 2nd consecutive Player of the Tournament award at the event.[71] He was named the captain of the Team of the Tournament by ICC.[72] He proceeded to top the Test rankings.[73]

Kohli is the next chosen one. He exudes the intensity of Dravid, the audacity of Sehwag, and the extraordinary range of Tendulkar.

— Martin Crowe, [74]

Kohli scored double centuries, becoming the first batter to score double centuries in four consecutive series.[75] When it came to the 2017 Champions Trophy, he scored 96* runs to become the fastest batsman in terms of innings to reach 8,000 runs in ODIs in 175 innings.[76] He was also named in the Team of the Tournament by the ICC.[77]

Leadership, dominance and records (2017–2020)

In 2017, he completed 200 ODIs and made a new record for the most runs (8,888), best average (55.55) and the highest number of centuries (31) for a batter.[78] Kohli went on to become the first batsman to score six double hundreds as a captain.[79] When he scored 610 runs in a series, he became the highest run-scorer by an Indian in a three-match Test and the 4th highest overall.[80]

Virat Kohli after scoring a 100 against England during the 2018 series.

With this win, India equaled Australia for the record streak of nine consecutive series wins in Test cricket.[81] He ended the year with 2818 international runs, the highest tally ever by an Indian player.[80] ICC named Kohli as thevcaptain of their 2017 World Test XI and ODI XI.[82] He became the first Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa.[83]

He then became the number one ranked Test batsman, becoming the seventh Indian to achieve this feat.[84] The Guardian described Kohli's performance as "one of the greatest batting displays."[85] In 2018, he became the 12th batsman to amass 10,000 ODI runs in ODIs.[86] He scored his 25th test hundred in Perth, which was his 6th hundred in three tours to Australia making him the only Indian to score 6 test hundreds in Australia after Sachin Tendulkar.[87] It was called one of his finest against a quality Australian attack.[88] After the team's victory, he became the first Asian or Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia.[89] He was again named as captain of the 2018 World Test XI and ODI XI.[90]

I cannot think there has been a better ODI player in history.

— Michael Atherton, [91]

During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Kohli was the fastest batter to score 11,000 runs in ODI in 222 innings.[92] He became the fastest to score 20,000 runs in international cricket in 417 innings.[93] Kohli scored five consecutive fifty plus scores in the tournament. During the next Test series, Kohli became the most successful test captain for India, going past MS Dhoni who had 27 wins.[94] He became the first Indian batter to score seven double centuries in Tests.[95] Soon after, he became the fastest captain to score 5,000 runs in Tests and scored his 70th century.[96]

Captaincy resignations and iconic wins (2020–2022)

In 2020, he was nominated for Cricketer of the Decade as well as the Test, ODI and T20I Player of the Decade.[97] He won Cricketer of the Decade and ODI Player of the Decade awards.[98] Kohli became the first batter to complete 3,000 runs in T20I.[99] In 2021, he became the fastest batter to score 23,000 runs in international cricket in innings.[100] He became the 2nd captain after Kapil Dev to win two tests in a series in England.[101] After the 2021 T20 World Cup, he decision to step down as the T20 captain.[102]

He redefined expectations, challenged conventions, and symbolised the self-assured, unapologetic India of the 21st century. Kohli lit the fire. He tore the script and authored a new one.

— Greg Chappell

In 2022, he also stepped down as the Test captain.[103] At the 2022 Asia Cup, he scored his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan with 122 runs from 61 balls.[104] During the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli scored 82* and won the match for his team, creating history by winning a match almost impossible to win. His six against Haris Rauf is considered as one of the greatest sixes of all time. He rated this as his best innings in the format due to the magnitude of the game.[105][106] Wisden deemed this particular innings as the acme of the tournament.[107] Kohli finished as the highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 296 runs to his name at an average of 98.66. For his brilliant performance, he was a part of the Team of the Tournament by ICC.[108] In 2023, he claimed the massive record for the second-most centuries scored across all formats in international cricket.[109]

T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy wins (2023–2025)

In 2023, Kohli scored his 21st ODI century in India, the most by a player in a country.[110] It was also his 10th against Sri Lanka, the most by a player against any opposition.[111] His performance led to him to becoming the fifth highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, beating Mahela Jayawardene.[112] During the 2023 Asia Cup, he hit a century and an unbeaten 233 run partnership with KL Rahul, making it the highest in the history of the tournament. He also achieved the milestone of the fastest to score 13,000 ODI runs in 267 innings.[113]

During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he scored the most number of 1000 runs in a year.[114] This marked the eighth time in Kohli's career that he achieved this milestone, surpassing the record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored 1000 or more runs 7 times in his career.[115] In the semi-final, Kohli scored his 50th ODI century, surpassing Tendulkar and became the only player with 50 ODI 100s. He also became the first player to hit 700 runs in a single World Cup edition.[116] Kohli became the third highest run-scorer in ODIs.[117]

He won the Player of the Tournament award for scoring 765 runs, the highest in a single edition in the history of the World Cup which consisted of three centuries with an average of 95.62.[118] This was his third Player of the Tournament award in a World Cup, having previously won it in 2014 and 2016.[119]

In 2024, India won the T20 World Cup and Kohli contributed in the final by scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, becoming the player of the match.[120] After the win, he announced his T20I retirement, saying it was the time for the next generation to take over.[121][122]

Where others reacted, Kohli anticipated. He saw innings before they unfolded. He lived the pressure before it arrived.

— Greg Chappell, [123]

In 2024, he scored his 81st century.[124] This was his 7th Test century in Australia, making him the player with the most Test centuries for India in Australia. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kohli scored another century against Pakistan and led India to an iconic six-wicket victory.[125] This was his 51st century in ODIs and he became the fastest to reach 14,000 runs, achieving this in 287 innings.[126] Kohli also surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 156 catches, becoming the player with most catches in ODIs.[127] Ricky Ponting was all-praises about him, calling it a chase masterclass and highlighting his ability to step up in crucial moments for his team.[128]

Kohli then scored 84 runs off 98 balls in the semi-final against Australia, helping India win by four wickets.[129] He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for most 50+ scores in ICC ODI tournaments and became India's top run-scorer in Champions Trophy history.[130] He also completed 8,000 runs while chasing in ODIs.[131] Due to his brilliant performance throughout the event, he was named in the Team of the Tournament by ICC.[132]

Abrupt retirement from Test format (2025–)

On 12 May 2025, Kohli officially announced his retirement from the Test format.[133] This came right before India's tour of England. It raised questions because he has been quite successful on England tours in the past. He was also just 770 runs short of the massive milestone of 10k Test format runs.[134]

The golden boy, the next superstar and the face of India's new generation. He turned himself into a ruthless run machine and the most feared player in the world.

— Steven Finn, [135]

Franchise career

Main article: Career of Virat Kohli

Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Indian Premier League

2009 Johannesburg

2011 Chennai

2016 Bengaluru Captain MVP

Orange Cap

Most Sixes

2010 Navi Mumbai

2015 Ranchi

2022 Ahmedabad

Champions League

2011 Chennai

Beginnings with RCB (2007)

In 2007, the Board of Control for Cricket in India introduced the Indian Premier League, a franchise-based T20 league. Among the franchises, Royal Challengers Bangalore, owned by Vijay Mallya at the time, selected Kohli to join their team for a sum of $50,000 through a draft. This decision was influenced by his performance in the U19 World Cup in Malaysia which India won under him.[136]

Early seasons (2008–2012)

In the first season, Kohli's performance gave a total of 165 runs and RCB secured the 7th position on the points table.[137] In the next season, the team made it to the playoffs.[138] During the semi-final against Chennai Super Kings, Kohli led RCB to the final.[139] But in the final against Deccan Chargers, RCB fell short by a meagre 8 runs, thus concluding the season as the runners-up.[140]

During the 2010 season, Kohli was the vice-captain. His standout performance came in an encounter against the Deccan Chargers, where he scored 58 runs at a strike rate of 165.[141] RCB made it to the playoffs but in the semi-final against Mumbai Indians, the team faced a defeat of 35 runs, ending the season's campaign.[142] In the Champions League T20, Kohli scored 49* runs against the Lions, guiding his team to the semis.[143] They lost to the Chennai Super Kings by 52 runs, thus ending their tournament’s run.

Prior to the 2011 season of the IPL, Kohli was the sole player retained by Bangalore, for an amount of US$1.8 million.[144] He scored 56 runs against the Delhi Daredevils, and was awarded the player of the match for the first time in the tournament.[145] Against the Pune Warriors, he claimed his second player of the match award and became the leading run-scorer of the season, donning the orange cap, also surpassing 1000 IPL runs.[146]

With captain Daniel Vettori sustaining an injury, he captained the team for the first time.[147] RCB ended the league stage at the top position on the points table.[148] They reached the final but fell short of the win.[149] During the season, Kohli amassed 557 runs with 4 half-centuries, becoming the second-highest run-scorer after Chris Gayle.[150]

In the Champions League, the team reached the finals with many crucial knocks by Kohli but lost to Mumbai Indians by 31 runs.

Halfway into the 2012 season, Daniel Vettori stepped down as the captain and handed the role to Kohli for the rest of matches.[151] He contributed to the team's chase in a must-win match but his dismissal led to a batting order collapse, thus resulting in a defeat.[152]

Leadership and rise in form (2013–2016)

After Vettori's retirement, Kohli assumed the role of full-time captain for RCB starting from the 2013 season.[153] With a strong start to the season that saw RCB occupying the top position in the table, the team's performance fell in the latter half of the tournament.[154]

Kohli celebrating his fifty against Mumbai Indians

The 2014 season was a mixed bag with the team facing several challenges. But Kohli's popularity continued to soar, making him the most-searched player on the internet during the tournament.[155] During the 2015 season, key changes were made and the team made it to the playoffs but then lost in qualifier two. Through the season, Kohli hit a total of 505 runs in 16 matches the third-highest run tally achieved by him in a single season.[156]

In the 2016 season, Kohli scored 50s in three out of the four matches, while sharing three century partnerships with de Villiers.[157] His match-winning performances and technical proficiency received appreciation.[158] In the final, RCB fell short by 8 runs.[159] He was the highest run-scorer of the tournament and won the orange cap as well as the title of the most valuable player with 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08.[160]

Fluctuating form and exit from captaincy (2017–2022)

In the 2017 season, Kohli grappled with a shoulder injury, which sidelined him for the initial three fixtures of the tournament.[161] The team had a poor tournament while he scored a total of 308 runs in 10 innings.[162]

He is a consummate surgeon at the crease, intensely focused, working hard, playing the ball into gaps in the field and staying calm under pressure. He is always judging the right time to consolidate and the right time to seize a game by the scruff of the neck.

— AB de Villiers

During the 2018 season, RCB retained Kohli for sum of ₹17 crore (US$2.0 million), making him the league's most expensive player at the time.[163] He surpassed 500