Virat Kohli The Journey of a Cricket Legend and His Impact on the Game

Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in history. His journey from a passionate young boy to a global cricketing icon is a testament to his talent, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Over a career spanning more than a decade, Kohli redefined batting standards, led India to historic victories, and transformed the culture of Indian cricket. This blog post chronicles his success journey, remarkable achievements, and his recent retirement from international cricket.

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Kohli was born into a Punjabi Hindu family in Delhi. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a housewife. With an elder brother, Vikas, and an elder sister, Bhawna, Kohli grew up in a supportive environment. His passion for cricket emerged early; at age three, he would pick up a bat and ask his father to bowl. In 1998, at nine years old, he joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy under coach Rajkumar Sharma, marking the beginning of his formal cricketing journey

Kohli’s junior career was stellar. He debuted in domestic cricket in October 2002 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2006, despite the tragic loss of his father to a stroke, he scored 90 runs in his first-class debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. His leadership skills shone when he captained India to victory in the 2008 U-19 World Cup in Malaysia, scoring 235 runs in the tournament. This success paved the way for his international debut in August 2008, when he played his first ODI against Sri Lanka at age 19. His T20I debut followed in 2010, and his Test debut came in 2011 against the West Indies.

Career Achievements and Milestones

Kohli’s career is a treasure trove of records and accolades across all formats of cricket. His consistency, hunger for runs, and ability to perform under pressure have set him apart as a modern-day great.

ODI Cricket

Kohli is the undisputed king of ODI batting. He holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs, with 51, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s mark. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, he scored a century against Pakistan, leading India to a six-wicket victory and becoming the fastest to reach 14,000 ODI runs in 287 innings He is also the fastest to reach 8,000 (175 innings), 9,000 (194 innings), 10,000 (205 innings), 11,000, and 12,000 runs in ODIs. In 2017, he scored 2,818 runs in a single calendar year, a record for any batsman. His 28 centuries while chasing in ODIs highlight his clutch performances.

Test Cricket

In Tests, Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His highest score of 254* came against South Africa in 2019. He holds the record for the most Test centuries by an Indian in Australia (7) and is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar His 81st international century, scored in 2024, further cemented his legacy.

T20I Cricket

Kohli played a defining role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls in the final and earning the Player of the Match award. This performance marked the pinnacle of his T20I career, after which he announced his retirement from the format (Wikipedia: Virat Kohli). His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed made him a T20I stalwart.

Indian Premier League (IPL)

Kohli is the IPL’s highest run-scorer, with 8,509 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the only team he has played for since 2008. He holds records for the most centuries (8), half-centuries (62), and runs in a single season (973 in 2016). He has won the Orange Cap four times and is the only player to score 1,000 runs against four different IPL teams (Wikipedia: Virat Kohli).

Awards and Recognition

Kohli’s excellence has been recognized globally. He was named the ICC Cricketer of the Decade for 2011–2020 and won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award four times (2012, 2017, 2018, 2023). He is the only player to win all three major ICC awards (Cricketer of the Year, ODI Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year) in a single year (2018). In India, he received the Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2017), and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2018). He was also included in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2018

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Centuries	Half-Centuries	Highest Score
Test	123	9,230	46.85	30	31	254*
ODI	300+	14,000+	~50	51	Numerous	Not specified
T20I	100+	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
IPL	Numerous	8,509	Not specified	8	62	Not specified

Captaincy: A Transformative Era

Kohli’s leadership transformed Indian cricket. He took over as Test captain in 2014 and later led in ODIs and T20Is. His aggressive, fitness-focused approach reshaped the team’s culture, making India a dominant force.

• Test Captaincy: Kohli led India in 68 Tests, winning 40, with a win percentage among the highest for Indian captains. He never lost a home Test series from 2014 to 2022 and led India to their first Test series win in Australia in 2018–19, a historic milestone (India Today: Virat Kohli retires from Tests).

• ODI and T20I Captaincy: Kohli guided India to the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-finals. His leadership in T20Is laid the foundation for India’s 2024 T20 World Cup success, even though he had stepped down as captain by then.

Kohli’s emphasis on fitness revolutionized Indian cricket. He introduced endurance tests as a selection criterion, raising the team’s athletic standards. His intensity and passion inspired teammates, earning praise from cricketing greats like Brian Lara, who noted, “The discipline that he has stands out, always” .

Retirement: The End of an Era

Kohli’s retirement from international cricket has marked the end of a golden era. On June 29, 2024, after leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, he announced his retirement from T20Is, stating, “It was the time for the next generation to take over” . His final T20I performance—76 runs in the World Cup final—underscored his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.

On May 12, 2025, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a 14-year career in the format. In an emotional Instagram post, he wrote, “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy—but it feels right” (India Today: Virat Kohli retires from Tests). His final Test was against Australia in January 2025 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kohli informed the BCCI of his decision days before the announcement, standing firm despite requests to reconsider.

Kohli’s retirement has sparked discussions about the future of Indian cricket. Alongside Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement on May 7, 2025, it signals a transition to a new generation. However, Kohli’s legacy as a batsman, captain, and cultural influencer will endure.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s journey is a saga of triumph, resilience, and transformation. From his early days in Delhi to his record-breaking performances on the world stage, he has redefined what it means to be a cricketer. His 51 ODI centuries, historic Test captaincy, and IPL dominance are just part of his story. Off the field, his fitness revolution and leadership have inspired millions. As he steps away from T20Is and Tests, Kohli leaves behind a legacy that will shape Indian cricket for decades. His retirement may close a chapter, but his influence as a symbol of excellence and determination will continue to inspire cricketers and fans worldwide.