The captaincy of the 2008 U19 World Cup winning team marked the beginning of Virat Kohli’s ascent as a premier cricketer. Born in Delhi in 1988, he transitioned from local youth academies to becoming a dominant force in the sport, representing India across international formats while setting multiple global records during his active career.
Early Development and Domestic Foundation
Born into a Punjabi Hindu family in New Delhi, Kohli showed an early interest in cricket at age three. He trained at the West Delhi Cricket Academy under Rajkumar Sharma. His progression through the Delhi youth ranks included notable performances in the Polly Umrigar Trophy and the Vijay Merchant Trophy. By the 2006-07 season, he had secured a position on the senior Delhi state team, making his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu in November 2006.
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Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs and has accumulated 85 tons across all international formats. He is recognized for his versatility, having achieved the number one batting ranking in Test, ODI, and T20I formats. His tenure includes significant victories as a team member in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Awards and Professional Recognition
His career is highlighted by ten ICC awards, including four ODI Player of the Year titles and two Cricketer of the Year honors. He was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years. Domestically, he received the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2017, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2018. Time magazine included him in its 2018 list of the world's 100 most influential people.
Career Conclusion
Following India’s success in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the final, Kohli retired from T20I cricket. On 12 May 2025, he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 36. Throughout his career, he represented the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, where he remains the leading run-scorer.
Fast facts
- Born: 1988, Delhi, India
- Sport: Cricket
- Religion: Hinduism
- Arjuna Award: 2013
- Padma Shri: 2017
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: 2018
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World: 2016
- Spouse: Anushka Sharma
Questions readers ask
What major international tournaments did Virat Kohli win with the Indian team?
He was a member of the teams that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
When did Virat Kohli retire from international cricket?
He retired from T20I cricket following the 2024 T20 World Cup and announced his retirement from Test cricket on 12 May 2025.
Achievements
- Worked as cricketer
