Virat Kohli is a prominent Indian cricket player who made his One Day International (ODI) debut on August 18, 2008. He made history by becoming the first Indian player to score a century in his World Cup debut, a remarkable achievement that showcases his exceptional talent and composure on the world stage. 

He is known for his remarkable achievements, becoming the third Indian player after Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina to score centuries in two consecutive ODI matches. His contributions to Indian cricket have been recognised through various awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri Award, which he received from the Government of India in 2017.

Education

Born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi, Virat Kohli's zodiac sign is Scorpio. He completed his schooling at Vishal Bharti Public School and Saviour Convent Senior Secondary School in Delhi. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. 

Personal Life

Virat Kohli is married to actress Anushka Sharma, and they are parents to a daughter named Vamika and a son named Akaay. Outside of cricket, Virat has a variety of interests. His hobbies include travelling, singing, and dancing. He admires several cricketers, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, and Shane Warne, and considers Adelaide Oval in Australia to be his favourite cricket ground. 

In addition to cricket, Virat enjoys movies, with favourite actors including Aamir Khan and Robert Downey Jr. His preferred films range from "Border" to "3 Idiots" and "Rocky." On television, he enjoys shows like "Homeland," "Narcos," and "Breaking Bad." He also loves listening to Eminem and cites the autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda as his favourite book. 

Virat Kohli is known for his luxurious lifestyle, owning an impressive collection of cars, including the Audi Q7, Audi R8 LMX, and Toyota Fortuner. As per media reports, his net worth is estimated to be around Rs 1050 crore.

Interesting Facts About Virat Kohli

Virat's cricket journey began at a young age. At just nine years old, his coach, Rajkumar Sharma, helped him gain admission to the West Delhi Cricket Academy. In 2003, he received an award from Ashish Nehra for scoring 172 runs in the Paul Umrigar Trophy. His former coach, Ajit Chaudhary, affectionately gave him the nickname "Chiku."

Kohli's ODI debut on August 18, 2008, was a significant milestone, and he played his first Test match against West Indies on 20 June 2011. Notably, he became the first Indian player to score a century in his World Cup debut.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Virat has received numerous accolades. In 2012, he was honoured with the ICC ODI Player of the Year Award. The Government of India recognised his contributions by awarding him the Arjuna Award in 2013. In 2017, he was appointed as the brand ambassador of the Border Security Force (BSF) and received the Padma Shri Award that same year. Additionally, he is the owner of the renowned Delhi restaurant "Nueva" and a clothing brand called "Wrogn."

Records and Achievements

Kohli holds several impressive records in cricket. He is the third Indian player to score centuries in two consecutive ODIs, following Tendulkar and Raina. He has also achieved the fastest 1000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 runs in ODI cricket. In 2013, he set a record for the fastest century, scored in just 52 balls against Australia in Jaipur. He is the only player to score the fastest runs in 25 consecutive ODI matches.

Leading by Example

Under Kohli's captaincy, the Indian Men’s Cricket Team won nine Test matches in a single year. His journey in cricket was highlighted in a documentary released by National Geographic for the series "Mega Icons" in 2018. In November 2023, he became the world’s first batter to score 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries. 

On September 30, 2024, Virat Kohli set a new record by becoming the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs during Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. He achieved this milestone in just 594 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 623 innings. Kohli is now the only player to reach 27,000 runs in under 600 innings, joining legends Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara in this exclusive club.

His aggressive batting style, keen understanding of the game, and strong determination have made him one of the greatest cricketers of his time. Kohli’s influence goes beyond cricket; he is also recognized for his commitment to fitness and his charitable work, inspiring many young athletes around the world.