Virat Kohli: A Comprehensive Biography

 

Early Life and Background

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, to Prem Kohli, a criminal lawyer, and Saroj Kohli, a homemaker.  He grew up in Uttam Nagar and attended Vishal Bharti Public School.  Recognizing his passion for cricket at a young age, his family enrolled him at the West Delhi Cricket Academy when he was nine.  Under the guidance of coach Rajkumar Sharma, Kohli honed his skills and quickly progressed through Delhi's cricketing ranks. 

Rise in Cricket

Kohli's talent became evident during his youth career.  In 2008, he captained the Indian Under-19 team to victory in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.  Shortly after, he made his debut for the Indian national team in an ODI against Sri Lanka.  His early performances showcased his potential, and he soon became a regular fixture in the Indian batting lineup. 

International Career and Achievements

Over the years, Kohli established himself as one of the premier batsmen in world cricket.  He has represented India in all three formats of the game, amassing numerous records: 

ODI Cricket: Kohli has scored over 12,000 runs, including 50 centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most ODI hundreds. 

Test Cricket: He has accumulated over 8,000 runs, with a highest score of 254*. 

T20 Internationals: Kohli has been a consistent performer, known for his chasing abilities and has scored over 3,000 runs. 

Notably, he was part of the Indian teams that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.  In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he was named Player of the Tournament, scoring a record 765 runs. 

Captaincy

Kohli took over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and later became the limited-overs captain in 2017.  Under his leadership: 

India achieved its first Test series win in Australia during the 2018-19 tour. 

The team maintained the number one spot in Test rankings for a significant period. 

He captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40, making him the most successful Indian Test captain.  In 2022, he stepped down from captaincy in all formats to focus on his batting. 

Personal Life

In December 2017, Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Florence, Italy.  The couple, often referred to as "Virushka," has two children: a daughter named Vamika, born in January 2021, and a son named Akaay, born in February 2024. 

Off the Field: Business and Philanthropy

Kohli has ventured into various business endeavors: 

Fashion: Co-owns the clothing brand WROGN. 

Fitness: Launched a chain of gyms under the name Chisel. 

Restaurants: Owns the One8 Commune chain and the fine-dining restaurant Nueva in Delhi. 

Investments: Holds stakes in FC Goa (Indian Super League football team), Digit Insurance, and plant-based meat company Blue Tribe. 

In 2013, he founded the Virat Kohli Foundation, aiming to support underprivileged children and promote sports.  The foundation has organized charity events and supports young athletes through its Athlete Development Programme. 

Awards and Honors

Kohli's contributions to cricket have been recognized with numerous awards: 

Arjuna Award (2013) 

Padma Shri (2017) 

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2018) 

ICC Cricketer of the Year (2017, 2018) 

Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2016, 2017, 2018) 

In 2020, he was named the ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade for 2011–2020. 

Legacy

Virat Kohli's dedication, consistency, and passion for the game have made him one of the most influential cricketers of his generation.  His journey from a young boy in Delhi to a global cricketing icon serves as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes worldwide.