Virat Kohli

Role: Batsman

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm medium

Country: India

Player profile for Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world and regarded as one of the best batsmen of the modern era. He has earned recognition for his consistency, aggression, and leadership abilities in all formats of the game. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, Kohli’s journey from a promising young cricketer to a global cricketing icon has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Early Life and Background:

Full Name: Virat Prem Kohli
Nickname: Chiku, King Kohli
Born: November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India
Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Parents: Prem Kohli (father) and Saroj Kohli (mother)
Siblings: Anushka Kohli (sister)

Virat Kohli grew up in a middle-class family in Delhi. His father, Prem Kohli, was a lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. Virat showed early interest in cricket, and his talent was evident from a young age. His father was a major influence on his career, introducing him to the sport and supporting him through his early days.

Kohli started his cricketing journey at the West Delhi Cricket Academy, where he was coached by Rajkumar Sharma. His rise through the junior cricket ranks was rapid, and he was soon noticed for his aggressive playing style, technique, and passion for the game.

Domestic Career:

Kohli’s domestic career began in 2006, when he represented Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. In his debut match, he scored a quick 10 runs, but his breakthrough came in the 2006-07 Ranji season when he scored a century against Karnataka, which brought him into the limelight.

International Career:

Debut for India:
- ODI Debut: August 21, 2008, against Sri Lanka at Dambulla. Kohli scored 12 runs in his debut match.
- Test Debut: June 20, 2011, against West Indies in Kingston. He scored 2 and 4 in his first Test match.
- T20I Debut: December 1, 2012, against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad.

Despite a modest start to his international career, Kohli’s talent quickly became apparent, and he cemented his place in the team with consistent performances.

Batting Style and Records:

Virat Kohli is known for his aggressive yet technically sound batting style. He is a right-handed top-order batsman, and his ability to chase down difficult targets, especially in limited-overs formats, has earned him the nickname “King Kohli.”

Key Batting Traits:

Exceptional timing and placement
Prolific in all formats, especially ODIs and T20Is
Master of run-chases, particularly in ODIs (Kohli has the highest average among players with 8,000+ runs in ODIs)
Excellent at playing under pressure and finishing games
A strong cover drive and ability to play both pace and spin well

Key Records:

Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 runs in ODIs.
Most centuries as a captain in ODIs (as of 2024).
Holds the record for most runs in a calendar year in ODIs (in 2017, scoring 1,500+ runs).
Kohli has over 70 international centuries, including both Test and ODI formats.
ICC ODI Player of the Year multiple times (2012, 2017, etc.)
He is also known for his chase-oriented prowess, with numerous memorable match-winning innings in ODIs.

Captaincy:

Kohli took over the captaincy of the Indian cricket team in all formats after MS Dhoni’s retirement from the limited-overs formats in 2017 and continued as the captain in Tests until he stepped down in 2021. Under his leadership, India achieved significant successes, including:

Winning the 2018 Test series in Australia.
Reaching the ICC World Cup 2019 semifinals.
Kohli led India to a historic win in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where India defeated Australia 2-1 in their own backyard.

Kohli’s leadership style is aggressive, with a strong emphasis on fitness, discipline, and a competitive mindset.

Personal Life:

Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on December 11, 2017, in an intimate ceremony in Italy. The couple has a daughter, Vamika Kohli, born on January 11, 2021.

Virat is also a passionate advocate of fitness and has been instrumental in pushing the Indian cricket team to maintain high levels of fitness. He owns a fitness brand called “One8” and is also associated with various other endorsement deals.

Off the Field:

Entrepreneurship: Kohli has invested in several businesses, including sports startups, a chain of gyms, and fashion brands.
Charity Work: He is deeply involved in philanthropic work, particularly through the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports various causes including child welfare and education.

Physical Attributes:

Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black

Interesting Facts:

Tattoos: Virat Kohli has numerous tattoos, each with a personal meaning. His tattoos reflect various aspects of his life, including his spiritual beliefs.
Fitness Enthusiast: Kohli is known for his strict fitness regime. He has often talked about how fitness is one of the key pillars of his cricketing success.
Social Media Presence: Kohli is one of the most followed athletes on social media, with millions of followers on Instagram and Twitter.
Love for Football: Kohli has a deep love for football and is the co-owner of the FC Goa football club in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Recent Developments:

Virat Kohli has faced some form slumps, especially in 2021, but his resolve and determination have been evident. In 2022, he took a break from cricket, focusing on his form and fitness. He returned in top form, scoring centuries in the Asia Cup and against Sri Lanka, showing that he is still one of the best batsmen in the world.

Legacy:

Virat Kohli’s impact on cricket is immense. He is considered one of the greatest modern-day batsmen, known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. His aggressive yet calculated approach has changed the way cricket is viewed, especially in the shorter formats of the game.

Legacy as a batsman:

ODI: Kohli is among the greatest in ODI history, with his ability to chase down challenging targets and maintain a high batting average.
Test Cricket: Known for his adaptability, Kohli has been pivotal in India’s rise in world cricket, with his consistent performances in overseas conditions.

Virat Kohli’s cricketing journey continues to inspire millions of fans worldwide, and his records and achievements are likely to keep growing, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.