Virat Kohli: The Maestro of Modern Cricket
Virat Kohli (Hindi pronunciation: [ʋɪˈɾɑːʈ ˈkoːɦli]; born 5 November 1988) stands as an Indian international cricketer and the former captain of the Indian national team. Known for his exceptional right-handed batting and occasional medium-fast bowling, Kohli currently represents Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Delhi in domestic cricket. Widely hailed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, he holds the record as the highest run-scorer in T20I and IPL, ranks third in ODI, and is the fourth-highest in international cricket. Kohli also boasts the most centuries in ODI cricket and ranks second in the list of most international centuries. A pivotal figure, he was instrumental in India's victories at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and led the team to win the ICC Test mace consecutively in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In 2013, Kohli achieved the top spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen. By 2015, he led the T20I rankings, and in 2018, he was ranked the number one Test batsman, becoming the only Indian cricketer to achieve the top spot in all three formats. Notably, he is the first player to amass 20,000 runs in a decade. In 2020, the International Cricket Council honored him as the male cricketer of the decade.
Kohli's cricketing prowess has earned him numerous accolades. He won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award four times (2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023) and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year twice (2017 and 2018). In 2018, he made history by winning both ICC ODI and Test Player of the Year awards in the same year. Furthermore, he was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. Nationally, he has been honored with the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2017, and India's highest sporting honor, the Khel Ratna award, in 2018.
In 2018, Time magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Recognized as one of the most commercially viable athletes, Kohli's estimated earnings were ₹634 crore (US$79 million) in 2022.
Early Life
Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi, into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a housewife. He has an older brother, Vikas, and an older sister, Bhawna. Growing up in Uttam Nagar, Kohli began his early education at Vishal Bharti Public School. From a tender age, Kohli displayed a natural talent for cricket, often requesting his father to bowl to him.
In 1998, the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA) was established. On 30 May of that year, nine-year-old Kohli, with the support of his father, joined the academy under the mentorship of Rajkumar Sharma. Encouraged by their neighbors, Kohli's father enrolled him in a professional cricket academy to hone his skills beyond street cricket. Despite facing setbacks, including being overlooked for the under-14 Delhi team, Kohli persevered. His father rejected offers to relocate his son to influential clubs, maintaining the integrity of his talent.
Kohli's journey continued as he trained at the WDCA while playing at the Sumeet Dogra Academy in Vasundhara Enclave. He later transitioned to Saviour Convent School during his ninth grade to further his cricket career.
On 18 December 2006, Kohli's father passed away due to a cerebral attack. This event marked a significant turning point in Kohli's life. With his father being a crucial support in his cricket training, Kohli dedicated himself to the sport with renewed seriousness. His mother noted a noticeable shift in his demeanor following his father's death. The family, who resided in Meera Bagh, Paschim Vihar, until 2015, later moved to Gurgaon.
Kohli's journey from a young cricket enthusiast to a global cricket icon is a testament to his dedication, talent, and unwavering support from his family.
