Virat Kohli: Career Profile of the Delhi Run-Machine

Early life and rise

Virat Kohli was born in Delhi in 1988 and developed his game in the capital’s age-group cricket. He captained India to victory at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, and later that year he made his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. His Test debut followed in 2011 against West Indies, and he steadily grew from a promising middle-order batter into the centre of India’s batting.

Playing style

Kohli is known for his intensity, his fitness and his ability to chase down targets. A strong driver of the ball on both sides of the wicket, he built a reputation for pacing an innings carefully and then accelerating late. His competitiveness and visible passion became hallmarks of his captaincy as well as his batting.

Career highlights

Kohli was part of the India squad that won the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. He took over as India’s Test captain in 2014 and led the side until 2022, finishing as the country’s most successful Test captain by number of wins. As a batter he became a consistent performer in all three formats, with notable hundreds in Australia, South Africa and England.

In the 2023 World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium he scored his 50th one-day international century, going past the previous record of 49 held by Sachin Tendulkar. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, he top-scored for India as they won the title, and he then announced his retirement from T20 internationals.

In the Indian Premier League he has represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the first season in 2008. His 973 runs in the 2016 edition remain the most scored by a batter in a single IPL season.

Legacy

Kohli changed the standard of fitness expected of Indian cricketers and helped build a team that was competitive in all conditions. For many supporters, his run-chases and his refusal to give up in tight situations define his career. Details of his later career lie beyond the scope of this profile, which reflects his record up to the end of 2024.

Frequently asked questions

How many ODI centuries has Virat Kohli scored?

He scored his 50th one-day international century in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, passing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49.

Which IPL team does Virat Kohli play for?

He has played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the first IPL season in 2008.

Did Virat Kohli captain India in Tests?

Yes. He captained India in Test cricket from 2014 to 2022 and won more Tests as captain than any other Indian.