Virat Kohli facts for kids

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Virat Kohli

Kohli in 2023

Personal information

Born

5 November 1988 (age 36)
Delhi, India

Nickname

Cheeku
King Kohli
Chase Master

Height

5 ft 9 in (175 cm)

Batting

Right-handed

Bowling

Right-arm medium

Role

Top-order batter

Relations

Anushka Sharma

(m. 2017)

International information

National side

India (2008–present)

Test debut (cap 269)

20 June 2011 v West Indies

Last Test

30 December 2024 v Australia

ODI debut (cap 175)

18 August 2008 v Sri Lanka

Last ODI

23 February 2025 v Pakistan

ODI shirt no.

T20I debut (cap 31)

12 June 2010 v Zimbabwe

Last T20I

29 June 2024 v South Africa

T20I shirt no.

Domestic team information

Years

Team

2006–present

Delhi

2008–present

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Career statistics

Competition	Test	ODI	T20I	FC
Matches	123	299	125	156
Runs scored	9,230	14,085	4,188	11485
Batting average	46.85	58.20	48.69	48.05
100s/50s	30/31	51/73	1/38	37/39
Top score	254*	183	122*	254*
Balls bowled	175	662	152	643
Wickets	0	5	4	3
Bowling average	–	136.00	51.00	112.66
5 wickets in innings	–	0	0	0
10 wickets in match	–	0	0	0
Best bowling	–	1/13	1/13	1/19
Catches/stumpings	120/–	158/–	54/–	152/–

Medal record

Men's cricket

Representing India
ODI World Cup
	2011 India / Bangladesh / Sri Lanka	{{{3}}}
Second	2023 India	{{{3}}}
T20 World Cup
	2024 West Indies / United States	{{{3}}}
Second	2014 Bangladesh	{{{3}}}
World Test Championship
Second	2021 England	{{{3}}}
Second	2023 England	{{{3}}}
Champions Trophy
	2013 England / Wales	{{{3}}}
Second	2017 England / Wales	{{{3}}}
Asia Cup
	2010 Sri Lanka	{{{3}}}
	2016 Bangladesh	{{{3}}}
	2023 Pakistan / Sri Lanka	{{{3}}}
U19 World Cup
	2008 Malaysia	{{{3}}}

Source: ESPN Cric Info, 8 August 2024

Virat Kohli (Hindustani pronunciation: [ʋɪˈɾɑːʈ ˈkoːɦli]; born 5 November 1988) is an Indian international cricketer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and holds the record for the most ODI centuries.

Kohli has been called one of the most commercially viable athletes, and is often ranked among the highest-paid globally.

Early life

Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Kohli, worked as a criminal lawyer and his mother, Saroj Kohli, served as a housewife. He has two elder siblings, a brother named Vikas and a sister named Bhawna. Kohli's formative years were spent in Uttam Nagar. He commenced his early education at Vishal Bharti Public School.

Kohli's father considered enrolling his son in a professional cricket academy, as they believed that his cricketing abilities merited more than just playing in gully cricket.

Kohli received training at the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA). He transitioned to Saviour Convent School during his ninth-grade education. Kohli's passion for cricket made him travel long distances with his father. With time, he diligently honed his skills and diversified his range of shots, commanding respect from the local bowlers.

Career

Kohli was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and captained India to win the ICC Test mace three consecutive times in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

In 2013, Kohli was ranked number one in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen. In 2015, he achieved the summit of T20I rankings. In 2018, he was ranked top Test batsman, making him the only Indian cricketer to hold the number one spot in all three formats of the game. He is the first player to score 20,000 runs in a decade. In 2020, the International Cricket Council named him the male cricketer of the decade.

He has received many accolades for his performances in cricket. He won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award four times in 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023. He also won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given to the ICC Cricketer of the Year, on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2018, he became the first player to win both ICC ODI and Test Player of the Year awards in the same year. Also, he was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years, from 2016 to 2018. At the national level, Kohli 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.

Playing style

Kohli playing his famous flick shot in CWC 2015

Kohli's playing style is widely regarded as aggressive, a trait that extends to his leadership on the field. His captaincy is characterized as proactive, taking bold decisions and leading the team by example.

In his batting technique, Kohli tends to favour playing grounded shots rather than attempting big hits. He is appreciated for his ability to execute wrist shots and his consistent prowess in the mid-wicket and cover region.

Kohli has often expressed his admiration for the cover drive, which he considers to be his signature stroke. Kohli's batting technique is characterized by an emphasis on ground shots that primarily yield runs in the regions between deep square leg and mid-on. Kohli is known for his composed batting technique and versatility in his play.

Personal life

Kohli with wife Anushka Sharma in their Mumbai reception

Kohli's romantic association with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, which commenced in 2013, earned the duo the moniker of "Virushka". On 11 December 2017, the couple exchanged nuptials in an intimate ceremony held in Florence, Italy, becoming one of the most talked-about celebrity couples in the country. On 11 January 2021, the couple had their first child, a daughter, who was named Vamika. The child's name, Vamika, is derived from Sanskrit, meaning "little goddess". On 15 February 2024, the couple welcomed their second child, a boy named Akaay.

Outside cricket

Kohli at the opening ceremony of the Pro Kabaddi League in June 2016

Kohli is not just a star on the cricket field; he is also making waves in other areas like football and fashion.

In 2024, Kohli became a co-owner of FC Goa, a team in the Indian Super League. This shows his desire to help football grow in India while also planning for his future after cricket.

Kohli teamed up with Anjana Reddy to create a trendy clothing brand called WROGN in 2014. This brand focuses on stylish casual wear. WROGN has become quite popular among young people for its cool designs.

In 2015, Kohli invested in a chain of gyms called Chisel to promote fitness across India. He also started Stepathon Kids to encourage children to be active and healthy.

In 2017, he launched his own athletic brand called One8 in partnership with the sportswear company Puma. This brand offers sports clothing and shoes for active individuals.

Kohli also ventured into the food industry by opening a fine dining restaurant named Nueva in New Delhi and a chain of restaurant-bars called One8 Commune, which have become popular spots for dining.

Philanthropy

Virat Kohli at charity dinner for Smile Foundation

In 2013, Kohli established the "Virat Kohli Foundation" with a philanthropic objective to support underprivileged children. The foundation collaborates with a selected group of NGOs to increase awareness and gather support for various causes. Kohli is dedicated to creating a brighter future for children by implementing sports-based programs and providing them with necessary resources.

In 2017, Kohli established the Athlete Development Programme (ADP) as a platform for nurturing and supporting aspiring young athletes. This initiative provides comprehensive guidance to these young athletes in areas such as coaching, training, fitness, competition, and nutrition, thereby fostering their growth and development. The program has proven beneficial to several young sports persons, including tennis player Swastika Ghosh and golfer Aadil Bedi.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma pledged donations to the PM CARES Fund and the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund. The couple has a strong passion for animal welfare and have made personal contributions towards wildlife relief efforts.

Interesting facts about Virat Kohli

Kohli became interested in cricket at an early age. As a three-year-old kid, he would pick up a cricket bat, display natural skill, and request his father to bowl to him.
During his childhood, his father played a crucial role in supporting his cricket training.
Kohli has publicly admitted that he uses various lucky charms that he feels serve to bring him good fortune on the cricket field.
He is known to prefer a particular pair of gloves, which he has consistently worn because they bring him success.
Kohli has tattoos of the revered Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the sacred syllable "Om", the names of his parents, Prem and Saroj, a tribal emblem, a representation of a serene monastery, a samurai warrior, the astrological symbol of the scorpion, and his ODl and Test match cap numbers.
Kohli's batting style and approach to the game have frequently drawn comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who he regarded as the epitome of excellence in the sport of cricket.
In 2018, Time magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Career summary

Kohli has made 82 centuries which includes 7 double centuries in international cricket—30 centuries including 7 double centuries in Test cricket, 51 centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs) surpassing the record of Sachin Tendulkar, and 1 century in T20I.

Test match performance

An innings-by-innings breakdown of Kohli's Test batting career, showing runs scored (blue and red (not out) bars) and the black line is his career batting average.

ODI match performance

An innings-by-innings breakdown of Kohli's ODI batting career, showing runs scored (blue and red (not out) bars) and the black line is his career batting average.

T20I match performance

An innings-by-innings breakdown of Kohli's T20I batting career, showing runs scored (blue and red (not out) bars) and the black line is his career batting average.

Kohli holds a prominent place in the annals of Indian cricket. He has the distinction of being the only cricketer to have been named the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup on two separate occasions, in 2014 and 2016. In terms of ODI centuries, he ranks first with 50. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI tons and achieved this feat on 15 November 2023 in the semifinal of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, while also becoming the first player to score more than 700 runs in a single edition of the tournament. Furthermore, in international cricket, Kohli has amassed 80 centuries, second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 centuries. In 2018, Kohli set a record, becoming the first player to score 1,000 ODI runs in 11 innings in a calendar year. In 2022, he achieved another milestone by scoring 1,000 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, becoming the second player to reach this feat after Mahela Jayawardene. During the match against Bangladesh, he became the top-scorer in the history of T20 World Cup.

List of records

Centuries against nations
Opponent	Test	ODI	T20I
Afghanistan	–	–	1
Australia	9	8	–
Bangladesh	2	5	–
England	5	3	–
New Zealand	3	6	–
Pakistan	–	4	–
South Africa	3	5	–
Sri Lanka	5	10	–
West Indies	3	9	–
Zimbabwe	–	1	–
Total	30	51	1

Test records

Most wins as a captain of India, with 40 wins out of 68 matches.
Most Test double-hundreds by an Indian Player (7).
Most Test double-hundreds (3) in two consecutive years (2016 & 2017).
His peak rating in ICC Men's Test player rankings is highest by an Indian with 937 points in 2018.

ODI records

Most ODI centuries (51)
Most ODI centuries while chasing (28)
Most ODI centuries in India (22)
Most runs in a single edition of ODI World Cup (765 runs in 2023).
His peak rating in ICC Men's ODI player rankings is highest by an Indian with 911 points in 2018.
Fastest to - 8,000 runs (175 innings), 9,000 runs (194 innings), 10,000 runs (205 innings), 11,000 runs (222 innings), 12,000 runs (242 innings), 13,000 runs (267 innings) and 14,000 runs (287 innings)

T20I records

Highest career batting average in T20I – 48.69
Most runs in a single edition of T20I World Cup (319 runs in 2014).
Fastest to - 3,000 runs (81 innings), 3,500 runs (96 innings), and 4,000 runs (107 innings)
Most Player of the Match awards (15 times) and Player of the Series awards (7 times)

IPL records

Most runs in Indian Premier League (8,004)
Most runs in a single edition of IPL (973 runs in 2016).
Only player to be involved in three double-century plus stands, two times with AB de Villiers and once with Chris Gayle.
Most runs against Delhi Capitals (1,030).
Most hundreds in the league (8) and in a single season (4)

Awards and honours

National

Year	Award	Importance
2013	Arjuna Award	Second Highest Sporting Honor
2017	Padma Shri	Fourth Highest Civilian Award
2018	Khel Ratna Award	Highest Sporting Honor

International

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade): 2011–2020
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year): 2017, 2018
ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Decade: 2011–2020
ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year: 2012, 2017, 2018, 2023
ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year: 2018
ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year: 2012, 2014, 2016 (captain), 2017 (captain), 2018 (captain), 2019 (captain), 2023
ICC Men's Test Team of the Year: 2017 (captain), 2018 (captain), 2019 (captain)
ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year: 2022
ICC Spirit of Cricket: 2019
ICC Men's Test Team of the Decade: 2011–2020 (captain)
ICC Men's ODI Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
ICC Men's T20I Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (Player of the Tournament): 2023
ICC Men's T20I World Cup (Player of the Tournament): 2014, 2016
Polly Umrigar Award for International Cricketer of the Year: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World: 2016, 2017, 2018
ICC Men's Player of the Month: October 2022
CEAT International Cricketer of the Year: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017– 18, 2018–19
Indian Premier League Orange Cap for most runs: 2016, 2024
Barmy Army – International Player of Year: 2017, 2018
ESPNcricinfo – ODI Batting Performance of the Year: 2012

Others

People's Choice Awards India for Favourite Sportsperson: 2012
GQ Sportsman of the year: 2013
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year: 2017
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's Person of the Year: 2019
Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) renamed a stand after Kohli at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

Gallery

Kohli receiving the Arjuna Award from President Pranab Mukherjee in August 2013
Kohli receiving the Padma Shri award from President Pranab Mukherjee in March 2017
Kohli receiving the Khel Ratna Award from President Ram Nath Kovind in September 2018
Kohli meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in 2017