Virat Kohli
Indian cricketer (born 1988) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Virat Kohli (born 5 November 1988)[b] is an Indian international cricketer who plays Test and ODI cricket for the national team and is a former captain in all formats.[5] He is a right-handed batsman and an occasional right arm medium pace bowler. He is called the king, the chase master and the run machine for his playing style, records and ability to lead the team to victory.[6] Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League, third in T20I, third in ODI, and third in international cricket.[7] Regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, he holds the record for the most ODI centuries and has the second most centuries in international cricket.[8] Kohli is also the only captain to lead India to three consecutive Test mace wins during 2017, 2018, and 2019.[9]
Kohli in 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 5 November 1988 Delhi, India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Cheeku [a] King Kohli [2] Chase Master [3] Run Machine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)[4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Top-order batter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | VK Foundation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 269) | 20 June 2011 v West Indies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 3 January 2025 v Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ODI debut (cap 175) | 18 August 2008 v Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last ODI | 9 March 2025 v New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T20I debut (cap 31) | 12 June 2010 v Zimbabwe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last T20I | 29 June 2024 v South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–present | Delhi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–present | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Cric Info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kohli led the Indian team to victory at the 2008 U19 World Cup and was a key member of the teams that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. He represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League and Delhi in domestic cricket. In 2013, Kohli was ranked number one in the ODI batting rankings. In 2015, he achieved the same in T20I.[10] In 2018, he was ranked the number one Test batsman, 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. ICC named him the male cricketer of the decade for the years 2011 to 2020.[11]
Kohli has garnered 10 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 has also won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy given to the Cricketer of the Year, on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, he touched his peak and became the first player to win all the three major awards Garfield Sobers trophy, ODI and Test Player of the Year awards in the same year. He was awarded with Spirit of Cricket Award in 2019. He was also awarded with 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, from 2016 to 2018. Kohli has the most Player of the Series awards 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 magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world 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.[12] He is married to actress Anushka Sharma and they have two children.[13]
Early life
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Perspective
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.[1] 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.[17] 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.[1] He received training at the academy and participated in matches at the Sumeet Dogra Academy located at Vasundhara Enclave.[18] In pursuit of furthering his cricketing career, he transferred to Saviour Convent School during his ninth-grade education.[17]
On 18 December 2006, his father died due to a cerebral attack.[17][15] As per his mother, Kohli's demeanour shifted noticeably after his father's death. He took on cricket with newfound seriousness, prioritizing playing time and dedicating himself fully to the sport.[17] Kohli's family resided in Meera Bagh, Paschim Vihar until the year 2015, after which they relocated to Gurgaon.[19]
Youth career
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Perspective
Representing  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.[1] By the end of the season, he had amassed a total of 172 runs, emerging as the highest run-scorer for his side with an average of 34.40.[20] During the 2003–04 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.[21][1] Towards the end of 2004, Kohli earned selection for the 2004–05 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.[1][22] He commenced the 2005–06 season with a score of 227 against Punjab. Following their victory over Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-finals, Delhi was scheduled to play against Baroda in the semi-finals. The team had high expectations from Kohli, who had promised his coach to finish the job. True to his word, Kohli went on to score 228 runs, leading Delhi to victory. The team later secured the tournament with a five-wicket win over Mumbai, where he contributed with a half-century in the first innings.[1] He ended as the highest run-scorer with a total of 757 runs from 7 matches, averaging 84.11.[23]
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.[24] 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 season against Tamil Nadu. However, his debut innings was a brief one, as he was dismissed after scoring ten runs.[1] In the subsequent match against former champions, Karnataka, Delhi found themselves trailing with a score of 130/5, with Kohli remaining unbeaten on 40 at the end of the day's play. That night, Kohli's father died. Despite the heart-wrenching news, Kohli returned to the match and continued to bat and scored 90 runs before he was dismissed.[25] Chetan Chauhan, the coach, was impressed by his determination and unwavering attitude in the face of adversity. Venkatesh Prasad lauded his crucial knock, which was executed in the midst of an emotional upheaval.[26] After his dismissal, Kohli attended his father's funeral. His innings proved to be crucial for Delhi as they were able to avoid the follow-on. The team's captain, Mithun Manhas, praised Kohli for his performance, acknowledging its pivotal role in the team's success.[26]
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.[27] In Sep 2008, Kohli played in Nissar Trophy against SNGPL. He emerged as the leading scorer for Delhi in both innings, registering 52 runs in the first innings and a towering 197 in the second. The match ultimately ended in a draw, SNGPL being declared the victors due to their lead in first innings.[28] In the 2009–10 Ranji Trophy season, Kohli returned to domestic cricket. During a match against Maharashtra, he opened the batting and scored 67 runs, helping Delhi to secure the bonus point required for victory.[29] Kohli's performance reinvigorated the competitive spirit of the domestic cricket circuit.
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.
India U19 team
In July 2006, Kohli was selected in the India Under-19 squad on its tour of England. He averaged 105 in the three-match ODI series against England Under-19s,[30] while also averaging 49 in the 3-match Test series.[31] Following India U-19 success in both the ODI and Test series, the team's coach Lalchand Rajput noted Kohli's adeptness in facing both pace and spin bowling and expressed his admiration for his technical prowess.[32] In September, the U-19 team toured Pakistan. In the first Test match, Kohli scored 63 and 28 as India won by 271 runs against Pakistan Under-19s. In the 2nd match, he contributed 83 runs to India's victory by 240 runs and an innings. He concluded the tour with 80 runs in the final ODI game at Lahore.[1] In early 2007, Kohli was a part of the India U-19 team that toured New Zealand, where he scored 113 in the first Test match. The series ended in a draw. In the following month, the team travelled to Malaysia for a tri-series against England Under-19s and Sri Lanka Under-19s, where Kohli did not get many opportunities to bat. In July–August, India U-19 embarked on a tour for a tri-series against Sri Lanka Under-19s and Bangladesh Under-19s, where he did not score a half-century in any of the matches. He made a comeback with scores of 144 and an unbeaten 94 in the following Test series.[1]
Kohli came into the limelight in 2008 when he led the team to victory in the U-19 World Cup. He led the Indian squad and won the 2008 U-19 World Cup held in Malaysia.[33] 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.[34] His century, a knock of 100 runs off 74 balls, versus the West Indies Under-19s in a group stage encounter, was lauded by ESPNcricinfo, as "the innings of the tournament." This innings paved the way for India's 50-run triumph and fetched Kohli the man of the match award.[35] Additionally, Kohli's all-round performance in the semi-final against New Zealand Under-19s, where he captured 2 wickets and contributed 43 runs in the run-chase, was core to India's victory.[36] In the championship match, Kohli managed a score of 19 against South Africa Under-19s and his contribution lead to the eventual 12-run win (via D/L method).[37]
In June 2008, Kohli and his U-19 teammates Pradeep Sangwan and Tanmay Srivastava were awarded the Border–Gavaskar scholarship. This scholarship, aimed at honing the skills of the chosen cricketers, provided an opportunity to train for six weeks at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.[38] In a bid to identify potential talent for the senior team, Kohli was selected to represent India Emerging Players in the Emerging Players Tournament 2008. His finest performance in the tournament was against New Zealand Emerging Players, where he played a knock of 120 runs, leading India to a seven-wicket victory. With an aggregate of 204 runs, 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, having played 28 Under-19 ODIs and 12 Under-19 Tests.[1]
International career
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Perspective
Debut and maiden stint (2008–2009)
In 2008, Kohli was included in the ODl squad for the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy.[39] He was required to fill the role of makeshift opener throughout the Sri Lankan series.[40] On August 18, 2008, Kohli made his international debut at the age of 19 in the first ODI of the tour.[41] In the 4th match of the series, Kohli scored his first half century in ODl consisting of fifty-four runs.[42]
He was picked in the India A squad for the Tests against Australia A in September.[43] Despite limited opportunities, he managed to make an impact in the single innings that he participated in, scoring 49 runs.[44] In Oct, Kohli participate in a four-day tour match against Australia as part of the Indian Board President's XI team. The match featured a formidable Australian bowling line-up that consisted of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Jason Krejza. Despite this, Kohli scored 105 runs in the first innings, showing his ability to perform against top international competition.[45]
In December, Kohli was awarded a Grade D contract by the Board of Control for Cricket in India as part of the annual contract list for the Indian national team which entitled him to receive ₹1.5 million (equivalent to ₹4.2 million or US$49,000 in 2023).[46]
In 2009, Kohli was selected in the four-team Emerging Players Tournament in Australia. He went on to have a standout performance and finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, with a total of 398 runs from seven matches, at an average of 66.33. In the final match, he scored 104 runs off 102 balls against the South Africa Emerging Players in Brisbane. His strong performance helped lead his team to a 17-run victory and the tournament title.[47][48] Kris Srikkanth, the chairman of the Indian national selection committee, expressed his admiration for his performance during the tournament.[49] Kohli later stated that this tournament was a "turning point" in his career.[50]
In August, Kohli was a part of the Indian squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka.[51] He was utilized as a middle order batsman in the 2009 Champions Trophy.[52] In December, he was included in the team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and scored 27 and 54 in the first two ODIs.[53] Kohli scored his maiden ODI century, 107 off 114 balls while sharing a 224 run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. As a result, India won by seven wickets and sealed the series 3–1.[54][c]
Rise through the ranks (2010–2011)
In January 2010, Kohli played the tri-nation ODI tournament in Bangladesh.[55] During the series, he became just the third Indian player to score two ODI centuries before the age of 22.[56] He was widely hailed for his performances, and ultimately emerged as the leading run-scorer of the series, with 275 runs from 5 innings at an impressive average of 91.66.[57] His initial foray into leadership on an international level occurred in May to June 2010, when he was appointed as vice-captain for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Despite an early setback, Kohli managed to become the fastest Indian batsman at the time to reach 1,000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving this milestone in 24 innings.[58] He also made his International T20 debut against Zimbabwe at Harare, where he scored an unbeaten 26.[59] During the 2010 Asia Cup, he was included in the team and was given batting at number 3.
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He faced some struggles with form but was retained in the ODI squad for a three-match series against Australia in October. Kohli scored a century, earning him the man of the match award.[60] During the home ODI series against New Zealand, Kohli scored another match-winning century, marking his fourth ODI hundred and second in succession.[61] The Indian team emerged victorious with a 5–0 whitewash over New Zealand and his performances solidified his position in the ODI team, making him a strong candidate for a spot in India's World Cup squad.[62][63] He was India's leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2010, accumulating 995 runs from 25 matches at an average of 47.38, including three centuries and seven half-centuries.[64]
He is a very physical type of player. He likes to impose himself on the game, backs it up with his skill.
Kohli was India's leading run scorer in the five-match ODI series at the South African tour in January 2011, with 193 runs including two fifties.[66] During the series, he jumped to number two spot on the ICC Rankings for men's ODI batters,[67] and was named in India's 15-man squad for the World Cup.[68]
Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 in the first match against Bangladesh and became the first Indian batsman to score a century on his World Cup debut.[69] In the final against Sri Lanka at Mumbai, he scored 35, sharing an 83 runs partnership with Gambhir for the third wicket after India had lost both openers within seven overs while chasing 275.[70][71]
When India toured the West Indies in June and July 2011, Kohli was one of the three uncapped players in the Test squad.[72] He made his Test debut at Kingston in the first match.[73] India went on to win the series 1–0 but Kohli amassed just 76 runs from five innings, struggling against the short ball.[74]
Kohli later scored his sixth ODI hundred, 107 runs off 93 balls with a 170 run partnership with Rahul Dravid who was playing his last ODI match.[75] It was the only century in the series by any player of either team.[76]
In October 2011, Kohli was the leading run scorer of the five-match home ODI series against England which India won 5–0. He scored a total of 270 runs across 5 matches at an average of 90. This included unbeaten knock of 112 from 98 balls at Delhi, where he put on an unbroken 209 run partnership with Gambhir;[77] followed by innings of 86 at Mumbai, both the knocks came in successful run chases.[78] Owing to his ODI success, Kohli was included in the Test squad to face the West Indies in November. He was selected in the final match at Mumbai in which he scored a pair of fifties.[79] India won the subsequent ODI series 4–1 in which Kohli accumulated 243 runs at 60.75.[80] He also scored his 8th ODI century and his second at Visakhapatnam, where he made 117 off 123 balls in India's run chase of 270.[81] A knock which raised his reputation as "an expert of the chase".[82] Kohli ended up as the leading run-getter in ODIs for the year 2011, with 1381 runs from 34 matches at 47.62 including four centuries and eight fifties.[83]
During tour of Australia in Dec 2011, he top scored in each of India's innings in the third Test at Perth with scores of 44 and 75.[84] In the fourth and final match at Adelaide, Kohli scored his maiden Test century, 116 runs in the first innings.[85] India suffered a 0–4 whitewash and Kohli was India's top run-scorer in the series. He was described as "the lone bright spot in an otherwise nightmare visit for the tourists."[86]
Captaincy resignation and fluctuations (2021–2022)
In 2020, the English cricket team's tour of India began with a 4-match Test series. Kohli made 172 runs with 2 half-centuries. During the second test at Chepauk, he scored 62 on a spin-friendly pitch which Geoffrey Boycott described as the perfect template to bat and score runs on a turning pitch.[87]
Kohli finished the T20I series as the highest run-scorer from both sides with 231 runs to his name and 3 half-centuries at an average of 115.50. India clinched the series 3–2 and he won the Player of the Series.[88] During the second T20I, Kohli became the first ever batsman to complete 3,000 runs in T20I.[89] In the ODI series, Kohli scored 129 runs in 3 innings with 2 half-centuries as India won the series 2–1. During the 2nd ODI, Kohli became the second batsman after Ricky Ponting to score 10,000 runs batting at number 3.[90]
During the 2021 World Test Championship final, India lost to New Zealand.[91] Next, the Indian cricket team toured England to play five Test matches. Kohli scored a total of 249 runs, including a couple of half-centuries.[92] In the 4th test, he became the fastest batter to score 23,000 runs in international cricket in terms of innings.[93] He also scored his 10,000th run in first-class cricket.[94] Kohli became the 2nd captain after Kapil Dev to win two tests in a series in England.[95] After the 2021 T20 World Cup, he announced his decision to step down as the T20 captain.[96]
In 2022, the Indian cricket team toured South Africa for a 3 match Test and a 3 match ODI series. Kohli managed to score 161 runs in 4 innings and could not play the 2nd test of the series due to back spasm.[97] He stepped down as the Test captain after the 2–1 test series defeat against South Africa.[98][99]
The West Indian cricket team toured India in 2022, for a 3-match ODI and a 3-match T20I series. Kohli scored 5,000 runs in India in ODIs.[100] When the Sri Lankan cricket team toured India for a 3-match T20I and 2-match test series. Kohli completed hundred Test matches, becoming only the 12th Indian cricketer to play these many matches.[101]
At the 2022 Asia Cup, he amassed a total of 276 runs with an average of 92 and scored his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan with 122 runs from 61 balls.[102] During the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli scored 82* and won the match for his team. His six against Haris Rauf during the match 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.[103][104] Wisden deemed this particular innings as the acme of the tournament.[105] 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.[106]
During the tour of Bangladesh in 2022–23, he scored his 44th ODI and 72nd century, surpassing Ricky Ponting's record of the second-most centuries scored across formats in international cricket.[107]
T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy wins (2023–2025)
In 2023, Kohli started off with a 100 against the touring Sri Lankan side in ODI.[108] In the third match, he scored 166 not out. It was his 21st ODI century in India, the most by any player in a single country.[109] It was also his 10th against Sri Lanka, the most by a player against any opposition.[110] His performance led to him to becoming the fifth highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, by beating Mahela Jayawardene.[111] His performance led India to a victory by a margin of 317 runs.[112]
In February–March 2023, Kohli played in the 2023 Border Gavaskar series. He scored a century in the final test at Ahmedabad.[113] In July, he became the first player to register a 50+ score in a 500th international match by hitting his 29th Test century.[114]
During the 2023 Asia Cup, he hit a century and formed 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. He reached the landmark in his 267th innings going past Sachin Tendulkar who took 321 innings to achieve this feat.[115]
I cannot think there has been a better ODI player in history.
During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he scored 85 in a partnership of 165 runs with KL Rahul as India chased the target set by Australia. He made a century against Bangladesh and a 95 against New Zealand. During the match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, he scored the most number of 1000 runs in a calendar year.[117] This marked the eighth time in Kohli's career that he achieved this milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored 1000 or more runs 7 times in his career.[118] In the match against South Africa, he scored his 49th century in 277 innings.[119] In the semi-final against New Zealand, Kohli scored his 50th ODI century to surpass Tendulkar's haul and became the only player with 50 ODI centuries. He became the first batsman to hit 700 runs in a single World Cup edition.[120] He also surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the third highest run-scorer in ODIs.[121]
Kohli was given 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 the highest batting average of 95.62.[122] He is the fourth Indian to finish at the top of the World Cup's highest run scorer list.[123][124] This was his third Player of the Tournament award in World Cups, having previously won it in 2014 and 2016.[125]
In December, during the India tour of South Africa, he achieved a new record of scoring over 2000 runs in a calendar year for the most number of times, surpassing Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara.[126] In 2024, India won the T20 World Cup and Kohli contributed in the final by scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, thus becoming the player of the match.[127] After the win, he announced his retirement from the T20I format, saying it was the time for the next generation to take over.[128][129]
In 2024, during the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Perth Stadium, Kohli scored his 81st century.[130] This was his 7th test century in Australia, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of most Test centuries for India in Australia. This also became India's biggest victory in terms of runs in Australia.
During the 2025 Champion Trophy, Kohli not only scored a century against Pakistan but also led India to a six-wicket victory.[131] This was his 51st century in ODIs and he became the fastest to reach 14,000 runs, achieving this feat in his 287 innings which were 63 less than Sachin Tendulkar.[132] Kohli also surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 156 catches, becoming the player with most catches in ODIs.[133] Ricky Ponting was all-praises, calling it a "chase masterclass" and highlighting his ability to step up in the most crucial moments for his team.[134]
He then scored 84 runs off 98 balls in the semi-final against Australia, helping India win by four wickets.[135][136] He then surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for most 50-plus scores in ICC ODI tournaments, with 24 scores, along with being India's top run-scorer in Champions Trophy history.[137] He also completed 8,000 runs while chasing in ODIs.[138] He became the second batter, after Ricky Ponting, to complete 12,000 ODI runs at the number 3 position.[139] Kohli is also the first cricketer to score 1,000 runs and ten 50+ scores in ICC knockouts.[140] Due to his brilliant performance through the event, he was named in the team of the tournament by ICC.[141]
Franchise career
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Perspective
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.[142]
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.[143] In the next season, the team made it to the playoffs.[144] During the semi-final against Chennai Super Kings, Kohli led RCB to the final.[145] But in the final against Deccan Chargers, RCB fell short by a meagre 8 runs, thus concluding the season as the runners-up.[146]
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.[147] 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.[148] In the Champions League T20, Kohli scored 49* runs against the Lions, guiding his team to the semis.[149] 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.[150] He scored 56 runs against the Delhi Daredevils, and was awarded the player of the match for the first time in the tournament.[151] 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.[152]
With captain Daniel Vettori sustaining an injury, he captained the team for the first time.[153] RCB ended the league stage at the top position on the points table.[154] They reached the final but fell short of the win.[155] During the season, Kohli amassed 557 runs with 4 half-centuries, becoming the second-highest run-scorer after Chris Gayle.[156]
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.[157] 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.[158]
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.[159] 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.[160]
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.[161] 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.[162]
In the 2016 season, Kohli scored 50s in three out of the four matches, while sharing three century partnerships with de Villiers.[163] His match-winning performances and technical proficiency received appreciation.[164] In the final, RCB fell short by 8 runs.[165] 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.[166]
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.[167] The team had a poor tournament while he scored a total of 308 runs in 10 innings.[168]
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.
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.[169] He surpassed 500 runs in the season, a feat he accomplished for a record fifth time.[170] RCB's poor bowling attack led to their elimination from the tournament.[171] In the 2019 season, his form dipped as he struggled for consistency. RCB, as always heavily reliant on him, was eliminated.[172]
During the 2020 season, RCB won five of the 8 matches, but fizzled out during the latter part.[173] They qualified for the playoffs on the basis of their net run rate but could not make it to the finals.[174] In the 2021 season, the team qualified for the playoffs, but lost in the eliminator. Kohli officially announced the end of his tenure as the captain of RCB.[175]
In the 2022 season, Kohli was retained for a sum of ₹15 crore (US$1.8 million).[176] Faf Du Plessis took over the captaincy duty and the team made it to the playoffs again but then lost in the eliminator and qualifier 2.
Milestones galore (2023–present)
In the 2023 season, Kohli assumed the role of a stand-in captain in the absence of du Plessis.[177] His performances led to him clinching the record of most centuries in the league. RCB was eventually eliminated and Kohli ended the season with 639 runs at an average of 53.2 and a strike rate of 140.[178]
In the 2024 season, RCB was on a 6 game losing streak, but made a brilliant and iconic turnaround, with a 6 game winning streak in the season's second half. This comeback is referred to as the blueprint by Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming as well as Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori and player Nitish Kumar Reddy after their teams had quite a poor 2025 season.[179]
Kohli surpassed the 8000 runs mark in total and won his second orange cap for being the highest run-scorer with 741 runs.[180][181]
Player profile
Summarize
Perspective
Comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar
Kohli's batting style and approach to the game have frequently drawn comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar, whom he regards as the epitome of excellence in the sport of cricket. Called Tendulkar's successor,[182][183] he is widely considered to have the potential to surpass his records.[184][185] Kohli has stated he tried to mirror Tendulkar's style of batting, imitating his shots and attempting to hit sixes in a similar manner.[186]
His aggressive and dynamic style has earned him accolades from cricketing greats such as Vivian Richards, who has acknowledged Kohli's similarities to his own style.[187] He has been lauded as the "new king of world cricket" by Dean Jones, a former Australian cricketer.[188] Kohli's skills with the bat have earned him accolades from former West Indies great Brian Lara, who has ranked him among the best batsmen in the world.[189]
Tendulkar proclaimed that Kohli possesses the potential to surpass his record of 100 international centuries. He acknowledged Kohli's batting aptitude and steadfastness of accumulating runs.[190] In 2013, Tendulkar retired from international cricket, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket. Kohli played alongside Tendulkar in the team.[191]
In 2024, Kohli became the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket. He surpassed Tendulkar's record, achieving the feat in 594 innings compared to Tendulkar's 623, during the Test against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium. Kohli now joins Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara as the only players to have crossed this milestone in international cricket.[192]
Playing style
Kohli possesses technical abilities and a dynamic playing demeanour.[193][194] His customarily batting position in ODl cricket is at number three with a slightly open-chested stance and a grip on the bottom handle of his bat.[195] He has been noted for his agile footwork, expansive range of strokes, and his propensity for adeptly orchestrating innings whilst thriving in high-pressure situations.[196][197] 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.[198][199]
_(cropped).JPG)
Kohli has often expressed his admiration for the cover drive, which he considers to be his signature stroke. He uses the flick shot, particularly when facing deliveries aimed towards leg stump.[16] Having a limited recourse to the sweep shot, 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.[200] Kohli scores runs between long-off and long-on with an aligned bat. His combo of bat-speed and wrist movements enable him to craft innovative angles that disrupt traditional field positioning.[201] Kohli is also an extremely proficient fielder.[202]
He has a vulnerability to deliveries that are wide of the off-stump.[203] Bowlers often exploit this weakness by targeting him with such deliveries, especially in Test and ODl matches.[204][205][206] Cricket experts such as VVS Laxman and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar have acknowledged this weakness,[207][208] and former New Zealand cricketer Richard Hadlee has also noted that Kohli is particularly susceptible to out-swinging deliveries.[209]
Kohli has recognition as a limited-overs batsman.[210][211] In ODIs, he boasts an average of 65.5 runs when batting second and 51.7 runs when batting first.[212] He has amassed 28 of his 51 ODI hundreds in run-chases,[213] and holds the record for the most hundreds scored batting second.[214] Kohli has often expressed a fondness for the challenge of chasing a score, relishing the opportunity to test himself and demonstrate his ability to manage strike rotation and execute boundary hits.[215] His colleagues admire his self-assurance, dedication, concentration, and work ethic, which are the driving forces behind his success.[216][217]
Aggression
Kohli's playing style is aggressive, a trait that extends to his leadership on field.[218][219] His captaincy is characterized as proactive, taking decisions and leading the team by example.[220] Kohli has been the subject of much media scrutiny and criticism in the early stages of his career. He was often portrayed as a brash and arrogant individual, eliciting mixed reactions.[221][222] While some have praised his assertiveness and confidence,[223][224] others have criticized Kohli's behaviour for crossing the boundaries of fair play and for losing control, sometimes resulting in a loss of composure.[225] The cricketer has persistently maintained that his aggression acts as a source of inspiration and drives his focus and motivation on the field.[226] Writing for The New York Times, Huw Richards noted Kohli's self-assuredness and "assertiveness" in contrast to some former Indian cricketers who he felt had exhibited an inclination towards excessive politeness and reticence, and that Kohli embodies his combative demeanour both on and off the cricket field.[227]
Personal life
Summarize
Perspective
Marriage and kids
Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma met on the sets of an advertisement they were both signed to star in. They started dating in 2013 and their popularity led to the masses giving them the moniker Virushka.[228] During an interview with Graham Bensinger, he recalled how they met during the promotional shoot for Clear shampoo.[229] Their union attracted significant media and public interest.[230] On 11 December 2017, the couple got married in a ceremony held in Florence, Italy.[231]
On 11 January 2021, they had their first child, a daughter.[232][233] On 15 February 2024, the couple welcomed their second child, a son.[234]
Eating habits
In 2018, Kohli disclosed that he had made the decision to adopt a vegetarian diet in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of a cervical spine issue caused by elevated levels of uric acid. This condition was impacting his finger movements, thus, affecting his performance as a batsman. He made a conscious effort to abstain from consuming meat, as part of his regimen for maintaining optimal health.[235] He has since clarified that his dietary choices do not align with a vegan lifestyle and he continues to consume dairy products and eggs effectively making what is known in India as an eggetarian.[236][237][238] His hard work and discipline have earned him the reputation of being one of the fittest cricketers in the world.[239]
Tattoos & more
Kohli has acknowledged a belief in superstitions and owns various lucky charms and rituals that he feels serve to bring him good fortune on the cricket field. One such tradition involves the donning of black wristband. Additionally, he prefers a particular pair of gloves, which he has consistently worn.[14] Furthermore, Kohli has been observed sporting a kara, a traditional bangle often worn for religious or spiritual purposes, on his right arm since 2012.[240] In addition to the previously mentioned superstitions, Kohli has also established the ritual of consistently donning white shoes on the cricket field.[241] Kohli has tattoos of the 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.[242][243]
Off the field
Summarize
Perspective
Image & endorsements
In 2008, Kohli was approached by sports agent Bunty Sajdeh of Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment after his performance in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Sajdeh was impressed with Kohli's leadership skills and attitude and saw potential in the young cricketer. After being recommended by Yuvraj Singh, Kohli was signed to Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment.[244] Over the years, Kohli's brand endorsement portfolio has experienced significant growth. In 2013, it was reported that his endorsements were valued at over ₹1 billion (US$12 million).[245] In 2023, his brand value reached ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million).[246] His bat deal with MRF is one of the most financially rewarding deals in cricket history.[247] In 2017, Kohli entered into an endorsement agreement with Puma that spanned over eight years and was estimated to be worth around ₹1.1 billion (US$13 million). This deal made Kohli the first Indian athlete to sign a brand endorsement contract valued at ₹100 crore (equivalent to ₹140 crore or US$16 million in 2023) deal with a brand.[248] As of January 2023[update], Kohli is widely regarded as the most marketable cricketer, with annual earnings estimated at ₹165 crore (equivalent to ₹175 crore or US$20 million in 2023).[249] Kohli is the most followed Asian individual on the social media platform Instagram, with over 270 million followers on the platform. Reports indicate that he is able to command a fee of ₹8.9 crore (equivalent to ₹9.4 crore or US$1.1 million in 2023) for each sponsored post on the platform.[250]
ESPN ranked Kohli among the world's most renowned athletes.[251][252] In 2014, American Appraisal conducted an evaluation of Kohli's brand value and determined it to be $56.4 million, placing him fourth on the list of India's most valued celebrity brands.[253] In October 2016 by Duff & Phelps, Kohli's brand worth had increased to $92 million, second only to that of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.[254] In 2017, Kohli was recognized by Forbes as the seventh "Most Valuable Brand among Athletes", with a brand estimation of $14.5 million.[255] By September of the same year, Kohli had endorsement agreements with 17 distinct brands, and he announced that he would only endorse products that he personally uses and believes in.[256] The following year, he was featured on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[257] In 2019, Kohli was the only cricketer included in Forbes' list of "World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes". He was ranked 100th on the list, with earnings estimated at $25 million, with $21 million being procured through endorsements, and the remainder from salary and tournament winnings.[258] Furthermore, in March 2019, Kohli was named the brand ambassador of the mobile esports platform, Mobile Premier League.[259] Kohli's earning potential continued to climb, and in 2020, he attained the 66th spot in Forbes compilation of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world for the year 2020, with estimated earnings exceeding $26 million.[260] In April 2021, Vivo appointed Kohli as their brand ambassador ahead of the Indian Premier League.[261]
In 2012, Kohli was recognized as one of the best-dressed men by the fashion magazine GQ, appearing on their annual list.[262] Six years later, in 2018, a documentary highlighting Kohli's cricketing career was released on National Geographic channel.[263] The following year, on the eve of the 2019 Cricket World Cup Madame Tussauds unveiled an waxwork of Kohli in London.[264] In 2019, on the eleventh anniversary of his international debut, Kohli was honoured with a stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi, making him the youngest cricketer to receive such a recognition.[265] In November of the same year, an Indian animated superhero television series entitled Super V premiered, featuring a fictionalized portrayal of Kohli's teenage years and his discovery of superpowers.[266]
Investments
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Kohli invested in Indian Super League club FC Goa, which he co-owned as of 2024. Beyond the realm of cricket, this venture served as a future business opportunity for him, as he sought to diversify his portfolio after retirement from the sport.[267] In 2014, Kohli partnered with Anjana Reddy's Universal Sportsbiz to launch the fashion brand WROGN. The brand specialized in men's casual wear clothing and entered into collaborations with retail outlets such as Myntra and Shopper's Stop.[268] Additionally, in late 2014, Kohli became a shareholder and brand ambassador for the London-based social networking venture Sport Convo. His involvement aimed to promote and raise awareness of the platform, which was focused on providing a space for sports fans to connect and engage with one another.[269]
In 2015, Kohli invested a sum of ₹90 crore (US$11 million) towards the establishment of a chain of health clubs and fitness centers throughout India. Dubbed as "Chisel", the network of gyms was established through a joint venture between Kohli, Chisel India, and Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment, the organization responsible for managing Kohli's commercial pursuits.[270] In Sep that year, Kohli expanded his portfolio of sports-related investments by becoming a co-owner of the International Premier Tennis League franchise, UAE Royals.[271] He became a co-owner of the JSW-owned Bengaluru Yodhas franchise in the Pro Wrestling League.[272]
In the year 2016, Kohli joined forces with Stepathlon Lifestyle to launch Stepathlon Kids. The initiative aimed to encourage young individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and inculcate the love for physical activity.[273]
In 2017, Kohli partnered with the German sportswear brand, Puma, to launch his athletic lifestyle brand, One8. This brand offers a range of sport-related apparel, footwear, and accessories.[274] That same year, Kohli also established Nueva, a fine dining establishment located in New Delhi. The restaurant features a South American-inspired decor accentuated with Native American artwork, providing a distinctive culinary setting.[275] Kohli also established One8 Commune, a chain of restaurant bars. This marked his inaugural foray into the food and beverage industry. The first outlet of this restaurant was launched in 2017.[276]
In 2022, Kohli and his spouse made an investment of ₹2.5 crore (equivalent to ₹2.9 crore or US$340,000 in 2023) in Digit, an insurance-based startup.[277] Additionally, they also extended their support to Blue Tribe, a startup that specializes in the production and distribution of plant-based meat products. Driven by his own inclination towards a plant-based diet, Kohli aims to raise awareness and encourage individuals to adopt more sustainable and environmentally conscious practices.[278]
Philanthropy
In 2013, Kohli founded the "Virat Kohli Foundation" with a philanthropic objective to support underprivileged children.[279] The foundation collaborates with a selected group of NGOs to increase awareness and gather support for various causes that are instrumental in advancing their mission of promoting the welfare and well-being of these children.[280][281] In 2014, the foundation participated in a charity auction organized by eBay and Save the Children India, the proceeds of which were directed towards the education and healthcare of underprivileged children.[282]
Kohli's foundation has organized several charity events to raise funds for its causes, including football matches featuring Indian cricketers and Bollywood actors. The first such event was a celebrity football match in collaboration with Abhishek Bachchan's charity foundation, which drew media attention and was raised funds.[283] In this match, Kohli captained the All Hearts FC against the All Stars FC, led by Abhishek Bachchan.[284] Another charity football match, dubbed the "Celebrity Clasico", was held in June 2016 in Mumbai, with Kohli again leading the All Hearts FC against the All Stars FC, captained by Ranbir Kapoor.[285]
In 2016, the Virat Kohli Foundation entered into a partnership with Smile Foundation to promote the empowerment of underprivileged children and young people. To kickstart this initiative, Kohli organized a philanthropic dinner at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, with cricket players such as MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, and KL Rahul to support the cause of child and youth empowerment.[286] To advance the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which aims at creating a cleaner India, Kohli and the Indian cricket team, in collaboration with Anurag Thakur, undertook a cleaning initiative at the Eden Gardens on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti of 2016.[287]
Prior to a match against Sri Lanka in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Kohli hosted a benevolent gala event in London in support of the Justice and Care organization. The ball was arranged with the objective of increasing both funds and awareness for the humanitarian cause championed by Justice and Care. The organization endeavors to combat human trafficking and contemporary slavery.[288] In 2017, Kohli established the Athlete Development Programme (ADP) as a platform for nurturing and supporting aspiring young athletes. This initiative provides guidance to young athletes in areas such as coaching, training, fitness, competition, and nutrition. The program has been used by young sports persons, including tennis player Swastika Ghosh and golfer Aadil Bedi.[289]
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.[290] Through his support of Awaaz, Kohli seeks to provide comprehensive medical services, shelter, and sustenance to stray animals.[291]
Career statistics
International record
| Representing India | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Innings | Runs | HS | 50s | 100s | Avg | SR | |||
| 2008 | 5 | 159 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 31.80 | 66.52 | |||
| 2009 | 8 | 325 | 107 | 2 | 1 | 54.16 | 84.41 | |||
| 2010 | 25 | 1021 | 118 | 7 | 3 | 48.61 | 85.79 | |||
| 2011 | 47 | 1644 | 117 | 10 | 4 | 39.14 | 76.85 | |||
| 2012 | 46 | 2186 | 183 | 10 | 8 | 53.31 | 74.78 | |||
| 2013 | 43 | 1913 | 119 | 10 | 6 | 53.13 | 78.11 | |||
| 2014 | 47 | 2286 | 169 | 12 | 8 | 55.75 | 83.27 | |||
| 2015 | 37 | 1307 | 147 | 3 | 4 | 38.44 | 65.84 | |||
| 2016 | 41 | 2595 | 235 | 13 | 7 | 86.50 | 80.91 | |||
| 2017 | 52 | 2818 | 243 | 10 | 11 | 68.73 | 92.15 | |||
| 2018 | 47 | 2735 | 160* | 9 | 11 | 68.37 | 72.39 | |||
| 2019 | 46 | 2455 | 254* | 14 | 7 | 64.60 | 90.55 | |||
| 2020 | 24 | 842 | 89 | 7 | 0 | 36.60 | 87.89 | |||
| 2021 | 30 | 964 | 80* | 10 | 0 | 37.07 | 60.62 | |||
| 2022 | 42 | 1348 | 122* | 11 | 2 | 38.51 | 85.10 | |||
| 2023 | 36 | 2048 | 186 | 10 | 8 | 66.06 | 78.31 | |||
| 2024 | 32 | 655 | 100* | 2 | 1 | 21.83 | 73.34 | |||
| 2025 | 9 | 298 | 100* | 2 | 1 | 37.25 | 73.21 | |||
| Total | 617 | 27599 | 254* | 143 | 82 | 52.27 | 79.18 | |||
Franchise record
| Virat Kohli in Indian Premier League [292] | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ||||||||||
| Year | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 50s | 100s | 4s | 6s | |
| 2008 | 12 | 165 | 15.0 | 105.1 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 13 | 246 | 22.4 | 112.3 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 8 | |
| 2010 | 13 | 307 | 27.9 | 144.8 | 58 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 12 | |
| 2011 | 16 | 557 | 46.4 | 121.1 | 71 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 16 | |
| 2012 | 15 | 364 | 28.0 | 111.7 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 10 | |
| 2013 | 16 | 634 | 45.3 | 138.7 | 99 | 6 | 0 | 64 | 22 | |
| 2014 | 14 | 359 | 27.6 | 122.1 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 16 | |
| 2015 | 16 | 505 | 45.9 | 130.8 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 23 | |
| 2016 | 16 | 973 | 81.1 | 152.0 | 113 | 7 | 4 | 84 | 38 | |
| 2017 | 10 | 308 | 30.8 | 122.2 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 11 | |
| 2018 | 14 | 530 | 48.2 | 139.1 | 92* | 4 | 0 | 52 | 18 | |
| 2019 | 14 | 464 | 33.1 | 141.5 | 100 | 2 | 1 | 46 | 13 | |
| 2020 | 15 | 466 | 42.4 | 121.4 | 90* | 3 | 0 | 23 | 11 | |
| 2021 | 15 | 405 | 28.9 | 119.5 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 9 | |
| 2022 | 16 | 341 | 22.7 | 116.0 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 8 | |
| 2023 | 14 | 639 | 53.2 | 139.8 | 101 | 6 | 2 | 65 | 16 | |
| 2024 | 15 | 741 | 61.8 | 154.7 | 113* | 5 | 1 | 62 | 38 | |
| 2025 | 10 | 443 | 63.29 | 138.87 | 73* | 6 | 0 | 39 | 13 | |
| Total | 254 | 8447 | 39.47 | 132.32 | 113* | 61 | 8 | 744 | 285 | |
List of records
Test records
ODI records
| Record | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Most centuries in the world | 51 centuries | [296] |
| Most centuries for India | 22 centuries | [297] |
| Most centuries during chasing | 28 centuries | [298] |
| Most runs in a year for India | 2818 runs in 2017 | |
| Most runs during single edition of World Cup | 765 runs in 2023 | [299] |
| Highest peak rating in men's player rankings by an Indian | 911 points in 2018 | [300] |
| Fastest to 8,000 runs | 175 innings | [301] |
| Fastest to 9,000 runs | 194 innings | [302] |
| Fastest to 10,000 runs | 205 innings | [303] |
| Fastest to 11,000 runs | 222 innings | [304] |
| Fastest to 12,000 runs | 242 innings | [305] |
| Fastest to 13,000 runs | 267 innings | [306] |
| Fastest to 14,000 runs | 287 innings | [307] |
T20I records
| Record | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Highest batting average with more than 100 innings | 48.69 average | [308] |
| Most runs in a single edition of World Cup | 319 runs in 2014 | [309] |
| 4th highest peak rating in men's rankings | 897 points in 2014 | [310] |
| Fastest to 3,000 runs | 81 innings | [311] |
| Fastest to 3,500 runs | 96 innings | [312] |
| Fastest to 4,000 runs | 107 innings | [313] |
| Second most Player of the Match awards | 16 wins | [314] |
| Most Player of the Series awards | 7 wins | [315] |
IPL records
| Record | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Most runs in Indian Premier League | 8,326 runs | [316] |
| Most runs as a captain | 4994 runs | [317] |
| Most runs in a single season | 973 runs in 2016 | [318] |
| Most centuries | 8 centuries | [319] |
| Most centuries in a single season | 4 centuries | [320] |
| Most catches | 114 catches | [321] |
| Most 50+ scores | 67 | |
| Most runs in successful chases | 2205 runs | [322] |
| Only player to score 1,000 runs against 4 teams | Delhi Capitals Chennai Super Kings Punjab Kings Kolkata Knight Riders |
[323] |
| Most runs against Delhi Capitals | 1,030 runs | [324] |
| Most runs against Gujarat Titans | 356 runs | |
| Only player with 1000+ boundaries in the league | 1015* boundaries | |
| Most player of the match awards won by an Indian | 19 POTMs | |
| Only player to be involved in three double-century plus stands | Twice with AB de Villiers, once with Chris Gayle | [325] |
Performance timeline
Summarize
Perspective
Test match performance
ODI match performance
T20I match performance
Kohli is 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.[326] In terms of ODI centuries, he ranks first with 51.[327] He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI tons and achieved this feat on 15 November 2023 in the semifinal of the 2023 ODI World Cup, while also becoming the first player to score more than 700 runs in a single edition of the tournament.[328] Furthermore, in international cricket, Kohli has amassed 82 centuries, second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 centuries.[329] In 2018, Kohli set a record, becoming the first player to score 1,000 ODI runs in 11 innings in a calendar year.[330] In 2022, he achieved another milestone by scoring 1,000 runs in the T20 World Cup, becoming the second player to reach this feat after Mahela Jayawardene.[331] During the match against Bangladesh, he became the top-scorer in the history of T20 World Cup.[332]
International centuries
| Opponent | Test | ODI | T20I | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan |
– | – | 1 | 1 |
 Australia |
9 | 8 | – | 17 |
 Bangladesh |
2 | 5 | – | 7 |
 England |
5 | 3 | – | 8 |
 New Zealand |
3 | 6 | – | 9 |
 Pakistan |
– | 4 | – | 4 |
 South Africa |
3 | 5 | – | 8 |
 Sri Lanka |
5 | 10 | – | 15 |
 West Indies |
3 | 9 | – | 12 |
 Zimbabwe |
– | 1 | – | 1 |
| Total | 30 | 51 | 1 | 82 |
Kohli has 82 centuries in international cricket. This includes 30 centuries including 7 double centuries in Test, 51 centuries in ODIs, and 1 century in T20Is.[333] He has the most ODI centuries and the second most centuries in international cricket, as a result.
Awards & honours
Awards
Honours
| Year | Honour | Category | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 9th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | [348] | |
| 2014 | 11th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | ||
| 2016 | 13th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | Captain | [349] |
| 2017 | 14th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | Captain | [338] |
| Test Team of the Year | Captain | [338] | ||
| 2018 | 15th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | Captain | [341] |
| Test Team of the Year | Captain | [341] | ||
| 2019 | 16th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | Captain | [350] |
| Test Team of the Year | Captain | [350] | ||
| 2020 | 1st ICC Awards of the Decade | Test Team of the Decade | Captain, for 2011–2020 | [351] |
| ODI Team of the Decade | For 2011–2020 | [352] | ||
| T20I Team of the Decade | For 2011–2020 | [353] | ||
| 2022 | 18th ICC Awards | T20I Team of the Year | [354] | |
| 2023 | 19th ICC Awards | ODI Team of the Year | [355] |
Others
| Year | Award | Category | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | CEAT Cricket Ratings | International Cricketer of the Year | For 2011–2012 | |
| ESPN Cric Info | ODI Batting Performance of the Year | [356] | ||
| People's Choice Awards India | Favourite Sportsperson of the Year | [357] | ||
| 2013 | GQ Awards | Sportsman of the Year | [358] | |
| 2014 | CEAT Cricket Ratings | International Cricketer of the Year | For 2013–2014 | [359] |
| 2015 | Times of India Sports Awards | Cricketer of the Year | ||
| 2016 | Wisden Cricketers' Almanack | Leading Cricketer in the World | ||
| 2017 | Wisden Cricketers' Almanack | Leading Cricketer in the World | ||
| CNN-News18 | Indian of the Year | [360] | ||
| Barmy Army | International Player of the Year | [361] | ||
| 2018 | Wisden Cricketers' Almanack | Leading Cricketer in the World | [362] | |
| CEAT Cricket Ratings | International Cricketer of the Year | For 2017–2018 | ||
| Barmy Army | International Player of the Year | |||
| 2019 | Wisden Cricketers' Almanack | Cricketers of the Year | [363] | |
| CEAT Cricket Ratings | International Cricketer of the Year | For 2018–2019 |
Legacy & stardom
See also
- Sports in India – Overview of sport and sport culture in India
- List of players who have scored 10,000 or more runs in One Day International cricket
- List of cricketers by number of international centuries scored
- List of cricketers who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match
- List of cricketers with centuries in all international formats
- List of most-followed Instagram accounts
Notes
- During a certain phase in his career, Kohli acquired the moniker Cheeku. One evening, Kohli availed himself of the services of a nearby salon and underwent a makeover. Upon displaying his new appearance to his colleagues, Kohli's assistant coach, Ajit Chowdhary, made a humorous comparison between Kohli's appearance and that of "Chikoo," a character from the popular Indian comic book, Champak.[1]
- Punjabi: Virāṭa Kohlī, pronounced [ʋɪˈɾaːʈᵊ ˈkoːɦᵊliː], ⓘ
- In recognition of this achievement, Gautam Gambhir, who scored 150 not out in the match and received the player of the match award, graciously passed on the award to Kohli.
References
External links
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