Who Is Virat Kohli?
Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer who represents the Indian cricket team in One Day Internationals and test matches. He led the Indian cricket team in all three game formats, Virat Kohli retired from T20 international matches in 2024 after India’s incredible victory over South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024 final.
About Virat Kohli:
Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988 in Delhi, India. He began his journey with the Indian international cricket team on 18 August 2008 by making his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka at the age of only 19. Virat’s debut match performance isn’t good as he was able to score only 12 runs. This was the start of an incredible journey of Virat Kohli in International cricket.
Virat’s Family Member:
The father of Virat Kohli is Prem Nath Kohli and her mother’s name is Saroj Kohli. His siblings’ names are Bhawna Kohli Dhingra and Vikas Kohli. His beloved wife’s name is Anushka Sharma. Earlier this year, on February 15, Virat and Anushka welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Akaay, and their daughter’s name is Vamika.
Kohli’s Playing Style:
Virat Kohli is a right-handed top-order batter of the Indian International Cricket team. Virat is an attacking batter and loves to chase targets. He is a right-handed medium-fast bowler. In his International Cricket career, Virat picked up 9 wickets in ODIs and T20I, and he went wicketless in Test format till now.
Rise Of Virat Kohli:
Kohli is well-known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional consistency, having scored thousands of runs in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. He has the quickest century by an Indian cricketer in ODIs, as well as many double centuries in Tests. He also broke the record of Sachin Tendulkar for hitting 50 One-Day International centuries. He broke this record in ODIs World Cup 2023 Semi-Final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Virat Kohli As A Batter:
Virat Kohli is the generational talent in cricket that comes only once in a lifetime. He is the prime example of hard work and consistency, many cricketers admire his fitness and incredible consistency level. Virat broke countless records of many legendary cricketers. He has hit 80 tons in International Cricket till now only behind the exceptional “Sachin Tendulkar”.
Virat As A Fielder:
His incredible fitness level and mindset helped him a lot in fielding, batting, and staying positive in hard times. His fitness is the main weapon for his success in International cricket and domestic cricket as well.
Virat Kohli In Indian Premier League:
Virat Kohli had a great career in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he scored over 8000 runs in IPL with 8 centuries and 55 fifties with a healthy strike rate of 131.97. He holds the record for scoring the most runs (8004) and centuries (8) in Indian Premier League. Surprisingly, Virat has represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru from his debut till now and played (252) matches with RCB. He holds the record for scoring 973 runs in an IPL edition during the 2016 campaign.
Kohli’s Memorable Innings:
Virat played countless match-winning innings for his team whether it was for the Indian International Cricket team or any domestic team. Some memorable innings of Kohli across formats are mentioned below:
- In T20 International: In T20 World Cup 2022, Virat scored unbelievably 82 runs not out and won the match for his team when India required 48 runs from just 18 balls. Virat was named “Player of the Match” for his 82* runs.
- In One Day International: In 2012, Virat smashed 133* runs from 86 balls against Sri Lanka while chasing down the target of 321 in Hobart. With the help of Virat’s century Indian team successfully chased down the target in just 36.4 overs.
- In Test International: Virat scored many double-centuries in Test internationals. In 2019, Virat scored 254* runs from 336 balls with 33 boundaries and a couple of sixes. Virat’s inning of 254* in the test match against South Africa is still his highest score in test international matches.
- In IPL: During the 2013 IPL campaign, Virat scored 93* VS SRH, it was the first match after Virat was named as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Virat played many good knocks in IPL, but his fans voted this knock against SRH in 2013 as the gem of an inning in IPL.
Virat’s Top Records:
Virat Kohli is this generation’s great cricketer, and many new cricketers admire him. Virat holds many records in cricket now and players like Babar Azam, Shubman Gill, and many other potential youngsters’ are coming close to his few records.
- Virat Kohli played 6th most matches as a test team captain (68).
- Kohli scored 256 runs in the test match which came in a losing cause and it’s also 7th most runs in a losing cause in the test international matches.
- Virat Kohli scored a hundred in both innings of the test match against Australia scoring 115 and 141 runs.
- He also scored a hundred and ninety runs in the innings of the test match.
- Virat scored a hundred and a duck in the same test match.
- Virat Kohli scored 7000 runs in 138 test innings, the 5th fastest overall in test cricket.
- In his international career, Virat has caught 317 catches, the 6th most in international cricket.
- In his T20, ODIs, and test-international career, Virat played 104 consecutive innings without a duck which is 8th most.
- Virat struck 2662 fours in his international career which is 5th most in cricket.
- He is at the number “2” for scoring most fifties in international cricket (220).
- He scored 8th most nineties in his international career.
- Virat Kohli scored 3rd most runs in a calendar year (2818).
- Kohli scored 2nd most hundreds in a calendar year (11).
- 8th most matches played as a captain of the international cricket team (213).
- He was awarded “Player of the Series” 21 times which is the most by any player.
- He took 8th most catches in the T20 International cricket (54).
- Virat was part of the 7th highest partnership for the fifth wicket (113 runs).
- 4th most fours in the T20 international career (369).
- He scored the fastest 3500 runs in T20 international cricket in (96) innings.
- Most fifties in T20 international cricket (39)
- Kohli ranked 8th in most innings before the first duck of T20 international cricket (47).
- In the T20 international, Virat scored 2nd most runs in his career (4188).
- Virat has the 4th highest average in T20 international format (48.69).
- Most “Player of the Series” award in T20i cricket (7).
- 8th highest partnership for 3rd wicket in One Day International (233*).
- Virat took 152 catches in ODIs which is 4th most by any player.
- 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals.
- Fewest innings to achieve the 13,000 runs milestone in One Day International (267).
- He struck “1302” fours in his ODI career which is 4th most by any player.
- In One Day International, Virat has the 3rd highest average (58.18).
- He is at the top in “scoring most hundreds in each team (10)”.
- 2nd most “Player of the Series” awards (11) in ODIs.
- Most runs in an ODI series (765).
- 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals in test format.
- 7th highest partnership for 8th wicket in test cricket (241).
Virat holds many records, but above are a few records that showcase the quality and consistency of Virat Kohli during his entire career.
FAQs:
How many centuries did Virat Kohli scored in his international career so far?
Indian cricketer “Virat Kohli” scored 80 centuries in his international cricket so far, only behind another Indian cricketer “Sachin Tendulkar”.
Which is the last T20 international of Virat’s career?
Virat Kohli played his last T20 international match vs South Africa in 2024 during the final of “T20 World Cup 2024”
Who was the “Player of the Match” of T20 World Cup 2024 final?
Virat was named as “Player of the Match” of T20 World Cup 2024 final which was played between India and South Africa.
Conclusion:
Virat Kohli’s record-breaking achievements are nothing short of incredible. As of 2024, he has over 80 international centuries, only behind of legendary Sachin Tendulkar. His ability to consistently score runs in a variety of conditions and forms has given him the title of “One of Cricket’s Best Batters.”