Virat Kohli, a renowned Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian national cricket team, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, Kohli has achieved numerous milestones in his illustrious career. In this comprehensive biography, we will delve into various aspects of his life, including his early years, career, personal life, and more.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Delhi, Virat Kohli comes from a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Kohli, worked as a criminal lawyer, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a housewife. He has an older brother, Vikas, and an older sister, Bhawna.
Kohli's passion for cricket began at a very young age. At the age of three, he would pick up a cricket bat, display natural skill, and request his father to bowl to him. He started his education at Vishal Bharti Public School in Delhi, followed by Saviour Convent Senior Secondary School in Paschim Vihar, New Delhi. In pursuit of furthering his cricketing career, he transitioned to Saviour Convent School during his ninth-grade education.
In 1998, Kohli joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WCDA) and trained under Raj Kumar Sharma. He started his youth career with the Delhi Under-15 team and eventually found his way into the under-15 Delhi team.
Cricket Career
Kohli made his international debut in 2008 and quickly became a key player in the ODI team. He later made his Test debut in 2011. Over the years, Kohli has achieved numerous milestones in his career, including:
- First Indian to score a century on World Cup debut (2011)
- Fastest Indian to complete 1,000, 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 runs in ODI cricket
- Fastest century by an Indian (of 52 balls against Australia at Jaipur, India in 2013)
- Fastest to score 25 ODI tons
- Fastest to reach 7,500 ODI runs
In addition to these milestones, Kohli has contributed to a number of India's successes, including winning the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions trophy.
In 2013, Kohli reached the number one spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen for the first time. He has also held the number one spot in Test batting rankings, making him the only Indian cricketer to hold the number one spot in all three formats of the game.
Personal Life
Kohli's romantic relationship with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma began in 2013, and they married in December 2017. Their relationship attracted substantial media attention, and the celebrity couple was given the nickname "Virushka."
On January 11, 2021, Virat and Anushka were blessed with a baby girl named Vamika.
Kohli is a religious person and highly superstitious. He has admitted that he is very religious and highly superstitious, often wearing black wristbands while playing cricket.
Awards and Achievements
Kohli has received numerous accolades for his performances on the cricket field. Some of his notable awards and achievements include:
- ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012
- Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (given to the ICC Cricketer of the Year) in 2017 and 2018
- ICC Test Player of the Year and ICC ODI Player of the Year awards in 2018
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years, from 2016 to 2018
At the national level, Kohli was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri under the sports category in 2017, and the Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting honor, in 2018.
Brand Endorsements
Kohli has endorsed numerous brands throughout his career, including:
- Tissot
- Audi India
- Manyavar
- Puma
- Wrogn
- Uber
- Boost Energy
- MRF Tyres
Philanthropic Activities
Kohli has started his own charity foundation called the Virat Kohli Foundation (VKF). The organization helps underprivileged kids and conducts events across India to collect charity.
Net Worth, House, and Cars
Kohli has an estimated net worth of $75 million. He earns around Rs. 250 crores per annum through salary and endorsements. He owns a mansion in Gurugram, Haryana, an apartment in Worli, Mumbai, and a flat in Versova, Mumbai.
Kohli also has an impressive car collection, including:
- Audi Q7
- Audi S6
- Audi R8 V10
- Audi R8 LMX
Physical Appearance
Kohli has a well-maintained physique, standing at a height of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) and weighing around 75 kg. He has dark brown eyes and black hair.
Favorites
Kohli has several favorite things, including:
- Favorite Food: Salmon, Sushi, and Lamb Chops
- Favorite Actor: Aamir Khan, Johnny Depp, and Robert Downey Jr.
- Favorite Actress: Penelope Cruz, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, and Katrina Kaif
- Favorite Cricketer: Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, and Shane Warne
- Favorite Cricket Commentator: Harsha Bhogle
- Favorite Cricket Stadium: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
- Favorite Hobbies: Gym workout, traveling, singing, and dancing
- Favorite Destination: Goa and Kashmir
- Favorite Singer: A.R. Rahman
Social Media Presence
Kohli is quite active on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
In conclusion, Virat Kohli is not only an exceptional cricketer but also a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide. His dedication, hard work, and passion for the game have made him one of the greatest batsmen of all time. With numerous milestones and achievements under his belt, Kohli's legacy in the world of cricket is indisputable.
