Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli began his formal education at Vishal Bharti Public School in New Delhi, where his passion for the sport first emerged. In 1998, he enrolled at the newly established West Delhi Cricket Academy to receive professional training under coach Rajkumar Sharma. He later transferred to Savior Convent School during his ninth grade to better accommodate his rigorous cricket practice schedules.

Virat Kohli's professional career began with his impressive performances in Delhi's age-group cricket, eventually leading him to captain the victorious Indian team at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. This crucial triumph catapulted him into the national spotlight, earning him an IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He subsequently made his senior international debut for India in an ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2008.

Establishing himself as a reliable middle-order batter, Kohli was a vital part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil. He scored a crucial century in his World Cup debut match and contributed significantly to the tense final chase against Sri Lanka. His transition into Test cricket followed shortly after, where he soon showcased his ability to score centuries in challenging overseas conditions.

As his experience grew, Kohli assumed the mantle of leadership, first as Test captain in 2014 and later taking charge of the limited-overs teams in 2017. Under his aggressive and passionate captaincy, India achieved a historic first-ever Test series victory in Australia during the 2018-2019 tour. He led the Indian Test side to an unprecedented reign at the number one spot in the ICC rankings.

Throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, Kohli shattered numerous batting records, becoming the fastest player to reach the 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000-run marks in ODIs. He achieved a monumental milestone during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in the 50-over format. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award in that prestigious competition.

In the Indian Premier League, Kohli has been a loyal stalwart for RCB, becoming the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer. In the 2026 IPL season, he continued his exceptional form by becoming the first player in history to surpass 9,000 career IPL runs. He remains a formidable force in T20 cricket, actively participating in franchise leagues while carefully managing his international workload following his retirement from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025.

Virat Kohli was born into a Punjabi Hindu family; his father worked as a criminal lawyer and his mother as a homemaker. The early loss of his father in 2006 deeply affected him, further intensifying his focus and dedication to professional cricket. He maintains a close relationship with his siblings, Vikas and Bhawna, who have supported him throughout his journey.

In December 2017, Kohli married prominent Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Italy, forming one of India's most celebrated power couples. They welcomed their daughter, Vamika, in 2021, and their son, Akaay, in 2024. The family splits their time between their luxurious properties in Mumbai, Alibaug, and recently London, carefully guarding their children's privacy from the public eye.

Beyond cricket, Kohli is heavily involved in philanthropic efforts through the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and promotes sports development. He is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and environmental conservation, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle to support his ethical and athletic goals. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, traveling with his family, and following global soccer.