Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography: Virat Kohli is an Indian cricketer, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. He was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, to Prem and Saroj Kohli. His father was a criminal lawyer while his mother is a housewife.
Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Kohli grew up in Uttam Nagar, West Delhi, and attended the Vishal Bharti Public School. He started playing cricket at a very young age and quickly showed promise. He joined the Delhi cricket team at the age of 18 and made his international debut in 2008.
Early Life and Career
Kohli grew up in a middle-class family and had a passion for cricket from a very young age. He started playing cricket when he was just three years old, and his father recognized his talent early on. His father supported him throughout his cricketing journey, and his family made many sacrifices to help him pursue his dreams.
Kohli played his first match for Delhi at the age of 18 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Indian cricket. He made his debut for the Indian national team in 2008, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact. He scored his first century in just his fifth ODI and became the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 runs in ODIs.
Rise to Prominence
Kohli’s rise to prominence was rapid. He quickly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the Indian team and started to make a name for himself in international cricket. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to score runs quickly.
In 2011, Kohli played a crucial role in India’s World Cup win. He scored 282 runs in the tournament, including a match-winning century against Bangladesh in the quarterfinals. His performance in the tournament earned him the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2012.
Over the next few years, Kohli continued to dominate international cricket. He became the fastest player to score 10,000 runs in ODIs and was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2017 and 2018. He also led India to a historic Test series win in Australia in 2018-19.
Kohli’s Playing Style
Kohli is known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to score runs quickly. He is an excellent batsman in all formats of the game and has a particular knack for chasing down targets. He is also a brilliant fielder and has a sharp cricketing mind.
Kohli is a technically sound batsman, and his footwork is exceptional. He is equally comfortable against pace and spin and can score runs all around the ground. He is also a very fit cricketer and works hard on his fitness and diet.
Indian Premier League career
Virat Kohli’s IPL (Indian Premier League) career has been nothing short of remarkable. He is one of the most successful players in the history of the tournament and has been a key player for his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), since the inception of the league in 2008.
Kohli’s IPL journey began in 2008 when he was bought by RCB for $30,000. He played only a few matches in his debut season, but he showed glimpses of his potential. In the following years, Kohli became a regular in the RCB team and established himself as one of the most talented players in the tournament.
In 2011, Kohli’s form peaked, and he scored 557 runs in 16 matches at an average of 46.41. He also scored his first IPL century that season, against the Chennai Super Kings. He continued to perform consistently in the following years and was appointed as the captain of RCB in 2013. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Under Kohli’s leadership, RCB reached the final of the IPL in 2016. Kohli had a phenomenal season that year, scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08, including four centuries. Although RCB lost the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli’s performance was widely appreciated, and he was named the Player of the Tournament. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Kohli’s IPL statistics are impressive. He has scored more than 6000 runs in the tournament, including 5 centuries and 40 half-centuries, at an average of 38.16. He has been a consistent performer for RCB and has been their leading run-scorer in several seasons. Kohli’s highest score in the IPL is 113, and he has a strike rate of 130.41.
Kohli’s IPL career has not been without controversy, however. He has been criticized for his captaincy at times, and RCB has failed to win the tournament despite having a strong team on paper. Kohli has also been involved in several on-field controversies, including a spat with Gautam Gambhir in 2013 and a heated exchange with umpire S. Ravi in 2019.
Despite these controversies, Kohli remains one of the most talented and successful players in the IPL. His aggressive style of play, excellent technique, and leadership skills have made him a key player for RCB and one of the most popular cricketers in the tournament. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Captaincy
Kohli was named the captain of the Indian cricket team in all formats in 2017. He took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni, who had retired from Test cricket earlier that year. Kohli’s aggressive style of play and his ability to lead from the front made him a natural choice for the captaincy. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Under Kohli’s captaincy, the Indian team has had some memorable victories. They won the Test series in Australia in 2018-19, the first time an Indian team had achieved this feat. Kohli has also led India to a series win against South Africa, West Indies, and Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Off-Field Controversies
Kohli has been involved in some off-field controversies during his career. In 2012, he was fined for showing the middle finger to the Sydney crowd during an ODI match. In 2013, he was involved in a heated exchange with England all-rounder Ben Stokes during a Test match. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
In 2017, Kohli was criticized for his comments about Australian cricketer Steve Smith. He accused Smith of cheating during a Test match, which led to a lot of controversies. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
In 2018, Kohli was also criticized for his behavior during the IPL. He was seen arguing with the umpires and was fined for his behavior. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Personal Life
Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in 2017. The couple had been dating for several years before tying the knot in a private ceremony in Italy. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika, in January 2021. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Kohli is also known for his philanthropic work. He has started the Virat Kohli Foundation, which focuses on providing education and sports opportunities for underprivileged children. He has also supported various other charitable causes, including the fight against child trafficking. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
Conclusion
Virat Kohli is one of the most talented cricketers in the world and has established himself as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He has achieved a lot in his career so far and has many more years of cricket left in him. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography
His aggressive style of play, excellent technique, and leadership skills have made him a fan favorite and a respected figure in the cricketing world. Despite some controversies off the field, Kohli is widely admired for his talent, hard work, and philanthropy. Virat Kohli Cricketer Biography