From a Delhi academy to 55 ODI centuries and more than 15,000 ODI runs, this is the complete story of “King Kohli”, India’s greatest chase master.
By CricketGatha · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Virat Kohli Quick Facts
| Full name | Virat Kohli |
| Born | 5 November 1988, Delhi (age 37 as of October 2026) |
| Nicknames | Chiku, King Kohli |
| Role | Top-order batter |
| Batting / bowling | Right-handed / right-arm medium |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Jersey number | 18 |
| Domestic / IPL team | Delhi / Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| ODI debut | 18 Aug 2008 v Sri Lanka, Dambulla |
| T20I debut | 12 Jun 2010 v Zimbabwe, Harare |
| Test debut | 20 Jun 2011 v West Indies, Kingston |
| Childhood coach | Rajkumar Sharma |
| Family | Wife Anushka Sharma (actor); two children |
Early Life and Background
Kohli was born in Delhi to Prem Nath Kohli, a criminal lawyer, and Saroj Kohli, a homemaker. His talent showed early, and he joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy under coach Rajkumar Sharma. He later changed schools to Saviour Convent School so that he could train and play more seriously, then climbed through the Delhi Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams.
That innings is still seen as the clearest early sign of his discipline, and it set the tone for a career built on mental toughness and relentless fitness.
Career Timeline
Virat Kohli Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Hundreds | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 300+ | 15,000+ | 55 | 183 v Pakistan |
| Test | 123 | 9,230 | 30 | 254* v South Africa |
| T20I | 125 | 4,188 | 1 | 122* v Afghanistan |
In ODIs Kohli averages close to 59 with more than 75 fifties, one of the best records in the history of the format. In Tests he scored seven double centuries, the most by an Indian.
Major Records
Most ODI centuries
Innings taken to 15,000 ODI runs
Fastest to 10,000
Reached 10,000 ODI runs in 205 innings in October 2018, quicker than any other batter.
World Cup record
765 runs at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the most by any batter in a single edition.
T20 World Cup
Player of the Tournament in 2014, 2016 and 2022.
Test captaincy
40 wins in 68 Tests, the most by an Indian captain.
Across formats, Kohli has 86 international centuries (30 Test, 55 ODI, 1 T20I). Only Tendulkar, with 100, has more.
Greatest Innings
| Score | Match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 183 | v Pakistan, Mirpur, 2012 | Highest ODI score, a record chase in the Asia Cup |
| 133* | v Sri Lanka, Hobart, 2012 | Chased 321 in 36.4 overs to keep India alive in the tri-series |
| 254* | v South Africa, Pune, 2019 | Highest Test score |
| 82* | v Pakistan, MCG, 2022 | Won the T20 World Cup match from an almost lost position |
| 117 | v New Zealand, Wankhede, 2023 | 50th ODI century, in a World Cup semi-final |
| 139* | v West Indies, 2026 | 55th ODI century and 15,000 runs, off 88 balls |
Batting Style and Strengths
- Chasing: He paces a chase better than anyone, taking singles early and attacking late.
- Running between wickets: His quick twos and sharp calling put constant pressure on fielders.
- Strokeplay: The cover drive and the flick through midwicket are his signature shots.
- Fitness: He is widely credited with raising fitness standards across Indian cricket.
Kohli in the IPL
Kohli has played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the first IPL season in 2008, an unusual record of loyalty to a single franchise. He is the league’s all-time leading run-scorer and has more than 8,000 IPL runs. In 2025, RCB finally won their maiden title with Kohli in the side.
Awards and Honours
National
Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2017), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2018)
ICC
ODI Player of the Year (2012, 2017, 2018, 2023), Cricketer of the Year (2017, 2018), Cricketer of the Decade
Wisden
Leading Cricketer in the World (2016, 2017, 2018)
ICC titles
U-19 World Cup 2008, World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013 and 2025, T20 World Cup 2024
Latest Form and the 2027 World Cup
Kohli retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Tests in May 2025, and now plays ODIs only. He scored his 54th ODI hundred against New Zealand in Indore in January 2026, and followed it with an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, which brought up his 55th hundred and his 15,000th ODI run. He has said the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will be his last.
India open against Australia on 7 October 2027 and face Pakistan on 10 October. See the full Cricket World Cup 2027 schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Virat Kohli?
He was born on 5 November 1988, so he is 37 as of October 2026 and turns 38 in November.
How many ODI centuries does Kohli have?
55, the most by any player in men’s ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar is next with 49.
How many ODI runs has Kohli scored?
More than 15,000, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426.
Has Virat Kohli retired?
He has retired from T20Is (2024) and Tests (2025), but still plays ODIs for India and the IPL for RCB.
Which IPL team does he play for?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the only franchise he has represented since 2008.
Will Kohli play the 2027 World Cup?
He is in India’s current ODI squad and has said the 2027 tournament will be his last World Cup.
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