Virat Kohli Career

Virat Kohli's record-breaking career, marked by his aggressive batting and unmatched consistency across all cricket formats.

Shivani Shukla Updated: September 19, 2024 schedule 8 min read

Virat Kohli | Source: X.com

Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, has not left any record book untouched. His exceptional talent, relentless dedication, and hunger for runs have always kept him engaged with this beautiful game. Known for his aggressive batting style and remarkable consistency, Kohli has shattered numerous records across all formats of the sport.

Virat Kohli Early Life and Beginnings

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, into a Punjabi Hindu family. From a young age, he displayed a natural love for cricket, often wielding a bat as soon as he could walk. His parents, Late Prem Kohli and Saroj Kohli recognized his passion and potential early on and enrolled him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy at the tender age of nine. Under the guidance of his coach, Rajkumar Sharma, Kohli quickly rose through the ranks.

Virat Kohli attended Vishal Bharti Public School, where he balanced his academics with his cricketing aspirations. However, a tragedy struck in 2006 when his father passed away due to a stroke, a moment that deeply affected the young cricketer. Despite the personal loss, Kohli’s determination only grew stronger. He famously returned to the field the day after his father’s death to play a crucial Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, scoring a vital 90 runs and demonstrating his extraordinary mental fortitude and dedication to the game.

Virat Kohli Domestic Debut and Rise

Virat Kohli made his debut in domestic cricket for Delhi in the 2006-07 season of the Ranji Trophy. His initial performances were promising, but it was his consistency and hunger for runs that soon made him a standout player. In the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup held in Malaysia, Kohli captained the Indian team to victory, scoring 235 runs in the tournament. This success on the international junior stage brought him into the limelight and helped him enter into senior competitive cricket.

Following his Under-19 World Cup success, Kohli’s performances in domestic cricket continued to impress. His aggressive yet technically sound batting style, combined with his ability to handle pressure situations, earned him recognition and accolades. By the time he was called up for the national team, Kohli had already established himself as a reliable and prolific scorer in the domestic circuit.

Virat Kohli International Debut

Virat Kohli Debut Match in ODI | Source: X.com

Virat Kohli made his international debut in August 2008 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. He was called upon to open the innings in the absence of the regular openers. Although his initial international performances were modest, his determination and ability to adapt to the rigors of international cricket began to pay off over time. From there, the era of King Kohli started, lasting for more than a decade and still continuing.

Virat Kohli ODI Career

Virat Kohli’s ODI career is a story of resilience, and unparalleled consistency. His journey began in August 2008 when he made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka. Despite a promising start where he scored his maiden fifty, Kohli soon found himself out of the setup when senior players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag returned to the team. However, this setback was only temporary.

Virat Kohli’s fortunes turned during the 2009 Champions Trophy. Seizing the opportunity, he scored a brilliant half-century against the West Indies and went on to notch his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, guiding India to a successful chase of a 300+ total. This period between December 2009 and January 2010 saw Kohli deliver several impressive performances, particularly in run-chases, making him an indispensable part of the Indian squad for the 2011 World Cup.

Virat Kohli became first Indian to score a century on World Cup debut | Source: X.com

In the World Cup, Kohli announced his arrival on the big stage by becoming the first Indian to score a century on World Cup debut, achieving this feat against Bangladesh. This marked the beginning of Kohli’s dominance in ODI cricket. From 2012 onwards, he earned the moniker ‘The Chasemaster’ due to his exceptional ability to steer India to victory in challenging run-chases, including a memorable chase of 330 against a strong Pakistan bowling attack.

Kohli’s consistency and aggressive batting style have seen him break several records previously held by legends of the game. He became the fastest player to reach multiple milestones in ODI cricket, surpassing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli’s leadership skills were also on display when he took over as the captain of the Indian ODI team, leading India to numerous memorable victories, including a historic series win in South Africa in 2018 and maintaining the team’s top-ranking status.

One of Kohli’s most significant achievements in ODIs came during the World Cup 2023, where he became the player with the most centuries in ODI cricket, surpassing the previous record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. What is even more special is that Kohli achieved this huge landmark in front of his idol. He bowed down to Tendulkar after reaching this milestone.

Virat Kohli Test Career

Virat Kohli’s debut against the West Indies after India’s 2011 World Cup win exposed some chinks in his armour against their bowling attack. However, the turning point arrived Down Under. In the 3rd Test against the mighty Australia in Perth, Kohli’s gritty 75 runs hinted at the immense talent he carries. This was further solidified when he slammed his maiden Test century in Adelaide against top-notch bowling.

Later, Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013 opened the door for Kohli to take center stage. He seamlessly transitioned into the crucial number 4 position, a role historically held by batting stalwarts.

Virat Kohli along side Sachin Tendulkar during a Test Match — Virat Kohli alongside Sachin Tendulkar during a Test Match | Source: X.com

This period saw him conquer some of the most challenging batting conditions on the planet. He didn’t shy away from the pressure, etching his name in history by scoring centuries in every SENA country (England, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand). These feats cemented his reputation as a world-class batter, capable of thriving anywhere in the world.

In January 2015, he was handed the mantle of India’s permanent Test captain, succeeding the iconic MS Dhoni. Under his leadership, Team India achieved historic series wins. By the time he stepped down in 2022, Kohli had etched his name in history as one of the most successful Test captains ever, with India securing a staggering 40 wins in just 68 matches.

Virat Kohli T20I Career

Virat Kohli is the undisputed king of T20 cricket. No other batsman has dominated this format like he has. It often seems as though he was destined to play T20 cricket. Since his debut in T20 internationals against Zimbabwe in 2010, he has consistently been the backbone of Team India.

Virat Kohli held the record for the most runs in T20 internationals for many years until recently, when Pakistan captain Babar Azam surpassed him. However, it didn’t take long for Kohli to regain his position at the top. Currently, he sits in second place with 4042 runs in T20Is.

When it comes to the T20 World Cup, he stands tall as the ultimate maestro of the format, consistently rising to the occasion for his team.

His legendary unbeaten 82-run innings against Australia in the 2016 T20 World Cup, and his timeless 82 not out against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2022 tournament at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, are etched as unforgettable chapters in his T20 World Cup legacy.

Following years of leadership in India’s T20 internationals, he resigned from the captaincy in the aftermath of India’s underwhelming display in the T20 World Cup 2021.

Virat Kohli IPL Career

Virat Kohli’s IPL career has been nothing short of spectacular, making him one of the most iconic players in the tournament’s history. He has been associated with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and has been a cornerstone of the team.

Virat Kohli stands alone in IPL history as the sole batter to have represented just one franchise throughout his career. His enduring loyalty and commitment to RCB exemplify his bond with the team.

Virat Kohli assumed the captaincy of RCB in 2013 and performed admirably, though he fell short of securing the silverware for his team. However, he led RCB to the IPL finals in 2016.

Virat Kohli decided to leave the captaincy of RCB before the IPL 2022 season. He remains the highest run-scorer in IPL history, with over 8000 runs to his credit.