Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli Biography

Virat Kohli is one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, known for his aggressive batting style, exceptional leadership, and record-breaking performances across all formats of international cricket. He rose to fame after captaining the Indian Under-19 cricket team to victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup and went on to become one of modern cricket’s greatest batsmen and captains. His consistent high scoring and competitive spirit have made him a global sporting icon.

Childhood

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India. He grew up in a middle-class Punjabi family. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. Virat has an elder brother and sister. From a young age, Kohli showed an intense passion for cricket and was enrolled by his parents at the West Delhi Cricket Academy when he was just nine years old. This early start laid the foundation for his cricketing career.

Education

Virat Kohli attended Vishal Bharti Public School and later Savior Convent School in Delhi. Although he showed great academic potential, his focus shifted heavily towards cricket, causing him to drop out to concentrate on his growing cricketing aspirations. His early training at the West Delhi Cricket Academy, under coach Rajkumar Sharma, was crucial in honing his batting skills and mental toughness, which later became hallmarks of his cricketing style.

Career

Kohli’s professional cricket career began with Delhi's domestic team in 2006. He quickly made a mark, progressing to captain the Indian Under-19 team to a World Cup victory in 2008, which propelled him into national prominence. In the same year, he made his international debut for India in One Day Internationals (ODI). Over the years, Kohli established himself as a key player in all formats of the game. He became the captain of the Indian Test team and led India to historic victories, including their first Test series win in Australia in 2018-19. Kohli has broken numerous records, including being the fastest to several ODI milestones and holding the record for most ODI centuries by an Indian. He also became the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory in the 2025 IPL season.

Family Life

Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Italy, making them one of India's most high-profile celebrity couples. The couple has two children: a daughter named Vamika, born in January 2021, and a son named Akaay, born in February 2024. Kohli is known for his strong family values and often shares moments of his personal life with fans, while maintaining a balanced focus on his professional commitments.

Achievements

Virat Kohli has numerous accolades and records to his name. He led India to multiple international victories and set records as one of the fastest to reach 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 runs in ODIs. He received major national honors including the Arjuna Award in 2013, Padma Shri in 2017, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2018. Kohli was named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year three times and ICC Test Player of the Year in 2018. His leadership helped India achieve historic Test series wins, and he remains one of the sport’s most consistent and dominant players on the world stage.

Controversies

As a passionate and aggressive player, Virat Kohli has been involved in several controversies. His on-field aggression occasionally drew criticism for crossing behavioral lines, including incidents like showing a middle finger to Australian fans in 2012 and arguments with opponents in the IPL. His public comments, such as those directed at Indian cricket fans in 2018, also sparked backlash. Additionally, tensions with coaching staff have made headlines, notably his strained relationship with former coach Anil Kumble, which led to Kumble’s resignation in 2017. Despite these controversies, Kohli has remained a highly respected cricketer globally.

Virat Kohli Summary

Virat Kohli's journey from a young Delhi boy passionate about cricket to one of the greatest batsmen and captains in cricket history is inspiring. His dedication, skill, and leadership have transformed Indian cricket and earned him worldwide recognition. Off the field, he balances a high-profile family life with philanthropy and business ventures. Though sometimes embroiled in controversy due to his aggressive temperament, his achievements and influence on the game continue to make him a defining figure in modern cricket.