Personal Information
Name | Virat Kohli |
Born | Nov 05,1988 (34 years) |
Birth Place | Delhi |
Height | 5ft 9in (175cm) |
Role | Batsman |
Batting Style | Right-Handed Bat |
Bowling Style | Right-Arm Medium |
ICC Ranking
Role | Test | ODI | T20 |
Batting | – | 8 | – |
Bowling | – | – | – |
Career Information
Teams | India, Delhi, India Red, India U19, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Board Presidents XI, North Zone, Indians, India A, Asia XI |
Batting Career Summary
M | INN | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
Test | 108 | 183 | 11 | 8416 | 254 | 48.93 | 15211 | 55.33 | 28 | 7 | 28 | 941 | 24 |
ODI | 274 | 265 | 40 | 12898 | 183 | 57.32 | 13776 | 93.63 | 46 | 0 | 65 | 1211 | 139 |
T20I | 115 | 107 | 31 | 4008 | 122 | 52.74 | 2905 | 137.97 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 356 | 117 |
IPL | 223 | 215 | 32 | 6624 | 113 | 36.2 | 5129 | 129.15 | 5 | 0 | 44 | 578 | 218 |
Batting Career Summary
M | INN | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W | |
Test | 108 | 11 | 175 | 84 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 2.88 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
ODI | 274 | 48 | 641 | 665 | 4 | 1/15 | 1/15 | 6.22 | 166.25 | 160.25 | 0 | 0 |
T20I | 115 | 13 | 152 | 204 | 4 | 1/13 | 1/13 | 8.05 | 51.0 | 38.0 | 0 | 0 |
IPL | 223 | 26 | 251 | 368 | 4 | 2/25 | 2/25 | 8.8 | 92.0 | 62.75 | 0 | 0 |
Career Information
Test Debut | vs West Indies at Sabina Park, Jun 20, 2011 |
Last test | vs Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium, Mar 09, 2023 |
ODI debut | vs Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Aug 18, 2008 |
Last ODI | vs Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Mar 22, 2023 |
T20 debut | vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Jun 12, 2010 |
Last T20 | vs England at Adelaide Oval, Nov 10, 2022 |
IPL debut | vs Kolkata Knight Riders at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Apr 18, 2008 |
Last IPL | vs Rajasthan Royals at Narendra Modi Stadium, May 27, 2022 |
Profile
A spirited and confident teenager, who had a unique style with gelled hair, gained widespread recognition after leading India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in early 2008. Among the revered and idolized players in the Indian team, Virat Kohli stood out with his unconventional and intense “bad-boy” persona, making him somewhat of an outsider.
Grind through the ranks
In August 2008, shortly after, he made his way into the senior Men in Blue squad during their tour of Sri Lanka. Due to the absence of the regular openers, Virat Kohli was given the opportunity to open the batting in the ODI series. He showcased his talent with some impressive performances during his extended stint as an opener, contributing to India’s victory in the ODI series. However, the well-established and formidable duo of Tendulkar and Sehwag prevented Kohli from securing a permanent spot in the team.
The talented 20-year-old continued to make a strong impression while playing for Delhi, showcasing his dominance against opposing teams and proving that he was destined for a higher level of cricket. It was evident that junior cricket no longer met his standards.
In 2009, Virat Kohli traveled to Australia to participate in the Emerging Players tournament, where he left a lasting mark on the bowling attacks. He displayed his ability to perform under pressure by scoring a fluent hundred in the final against South Africa, leading his team to a decisive victory. Despite his young age, Kohli’s exceptional performance in the tournament, accumulating 398 runs from 7 matches with two centuries and two fifties, ensured that he remained in the forefront of the selectors’ minds. He was truly a rising star in the making.
Cementing a national spot
The selectors had no other option but to give Virat Kohli another opportunity in the Indian team, and this time he consistently delivered impressive performances. After being given an extended chance, he showed his gratitude by achieving his first ODI century in a remarkable run-chase against Sri Lanka in December 2009.
This was just the beginning of many exceptional innings by Virat Kohli in run-chases. On the grandest stage of all, the World Cup final in 2011, Kohli, alongside his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir, played a crucial but often overlooked role in rescuing the team after losing early wickets. Their partnership of 83 runs set the foundation for MS Dhoni’s legendary knock of 91*, which ultimately led India to victory in the World Cup on that magical evening in Mumbai.
Following the excitement of the World Cup, Virat Kohli continued to make significant progress in the limited-overs format. Three years after his ODI debut, he was finally given the prestigious Test cap during the tour of the Caribbean islands in July 2011.
This opportunity arose due to the need to rest senior players. After experiencing matches with the Dukes ball and the SG ball, it was now time for him to face the challenge of playing with the Kookaburra ball Down Under. In the first two Tests, he struggled with the technique required to play in Australia, maintaining a low stance on the bouncy tracks. Additionally, his front-foot movement towards off-stump limited his ability to execute back-foot shots like the pull and the cut.
A baptism by fire Down Under
The selectors and the captain showed faith in him for the 3rd Test, and he delivered a breakthrough performance on a lively Perth wicket, scoring an impressive 75 runs. It was evident that he had made noticeable changes in his technique, standing tall with a more open stance and showcasing his skill in playing back-foot shots.
Despite his occasional volatile behavior, Virat Kohli managed to overshadow it with his outstanding performance in the final Test of the series. In what was a disastrous tour for India, Virat Kohli stood out by scoring the team’s only century. His remarkable display of skill and determination in Adelaide demonstrated his desire to improve and his exceptional focus under the intense pressure and scorching heat of Australia.
As he fought and persevered to earn his place in the Test side, he embarked on a remarkable journey of breaking records in ODIs. Virat Kohli achieved the Indian record for the fastest accumulation of multiples-of-thousand runs in ODIs, ultimately setting the world record for the fastest to reach 9000 runs in ODIs. Additionally, he held the title of being the highest run-scorer for India in ODIs for three consecutive years – 2010, 2011, and 2012. His outstanding performances led him to be honored with the prestigious ICC ODI cricketer of the year award in 2012.
That break-through innings…
We often recall the achievements, but let’s not forget where it all began. There is always that one remarkable innings that captures the world’s attention. In this case, it was an 86-ball knock that showcased the transformation of a brash boy into a matured man.
The situation was challenging, with India needing to chase an improbable target of 321 runs off just 40 overs to keep their tournament hopes alive. However, he fearlessly took on the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing his way to an unbeaten 133 runs. His exceptional performance not only secured victory for India with over 2 overs to spare but also rescued them from the brink of elimination, disproving M.S. Dhoni’s earlier statement.
The arrival of King Virat Kohli was undeniable. He established himself as the unrivaled master of run-chases, setting numerous ODI records that stand as a testament to his greatness in the modern era.
Batting technique and idiosyncrasies
Virat Kohli may appear to have a fiery temperament, but he effectively channels his intensity while batting. Renowned for his aggressive approach and constant pursuit of runs, he possesses a solid, albeit slightly unconventional, technique.
This enables him to anticipate the length of the ball earlier than most and exhibit remarkable wrist speed, even against fast bowlers. He displays equal proficiency against both pace and spin, maintaining a graceful presence at the crease. With swift footwork against spinners, he can be devastating when the situation calls for it. Despite the daunting task of filling the shoes of his predecessors, Kohli has admirably risen to the challenge and performed exceptionally well.
Captaincy and a change in technique
In the absence of regular captain MS Dhoni, who was recovering from an injury, Virat Kohli was appointed as the stand-in captain for the first Test in Adelaide. Following a disappointing tour of England, there were doubts among critics about Virat Kohli’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in December.
However, Virat Kohli proved them wrong in spectacular fashion by scoring two impressive centuries in the first Test at Adelaide. His exceptional innings of 141 in the second innings came close to achieving a remarkable run-chase on a challenging fifth-day pitch. Throughout the tour, Virat Kohli went on to score a total of four centuries. It would be an understatement to say that he silenced his critics.
During the 2015 World Cup, India aimed to defend their title with the slogan “Won’t give it back.” Virat Kohli was expected to play a crucial role for the team. Unfortunately, India had a tough time in Australia, failing to win any matches in the Test series and the subsequent ODI tri-series.
However, Virat Kohli started off impressively by scoring a century against Pakistan in his usual style, helping India maintain their unbeaten record against their rivals in ICC events. Despite India’s unbeaten run leading them to the semi-finals, Virat Kohli’s performance took an unexpected downturn. This ultimately resulted in a disappointing score of just 1 in the semi-final loss against the hosts and eventual champions, Australia.
When Virat Kohli was the full-time Test captain, he led a young Indian side on a tour of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, they were without the services of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and were cautious of the Sri Lankan spinners’ reputation for their fourth-innings performances.
After losing the first Test, Kohli’s team staged a remarkable comeback and won the series 2-1. This victory marked a promising start to Kohli’s Test captaincy. He further showcased his leadership skills as India dominated the South African team on turning pitches throughout the country. Although Kohli didn’t have a standout series with the bat, his more composed teammates stepped up. As a result, India reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test rankings, a position they had lost after a disappointing whitewash against England in 2011.
He continued his remarkable performance in T20 cricket, displaying incredible power and speed. Boundaries seemed effortless for him. Despite scoring an unbeaten 89 in the 2016 semi-final against the West Indies, extending his exceptional form in this format, India’s bowling faltered at a crucial moment.
It was unfortunate to see him receive the “Player of the tournament” award for the second consecutive Twenty20 World Cup, as he would have gladly traded it for the elusive World T20 trophy. Kohli’s hunger for runs remained unquenchable as he amassed a staggering 973 runs during the 2016 Indian Premier League, the highest ever recorded by any batsman in the tournament’s history. He led his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), to a runners-up finish.
Kohli has a history of proving his critics wrong, consistently raising the bar for modern batsmanship. As a captain, he experienced both successes and challenges, with some controversy towards the end of his tenure. Notably, Virat Kohli achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian and Asian captain to lead his team to victory in Australia, winning the 4-match Test series 2-1 in 2018-19. Additionally, under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India maintained their position as the number one Test side for five consecutive years from 2016 to 2021.
The final frontier
In the beginning of 2018, shortly after his marriage to Indian actress Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli led India in a series against South Africa. Although India initially struggled and lost the first two Tests, they managed to bounce back and win the third Test on a challenging pitch.
Throughout the series, which featured difficult wickets, Virat Kohli displayed improved technique compared to his previous tour of South Africa in 2013/14, and performed even better than his prolific tour of England. Later in 2018, Kohli achieved a personal milestone by performing exceptionally well in England, scoring 593 runs in 10 innings, including 2 centuries, and successfully avoiding being dismissed by his renowned adversary, Anderson. Despite Kohli’s individual success, India ultimately lost the series 1-4, tarnishing his record as captain with two consecutive Test series losses on foreign soil.
However, Kohli’s personal achievements cannot be overlooked, as he dedicated himself to becoming the most consistent and versatile batsman of his generation, arguably surpassing the other prominent players known as the Big Four. In October 2018, during a remarkable streak of three consecutive centuries against the West Indies in ODIs, he achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the fastest batsman to reach the 10,000-run milestone in ODIs.
Surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record by an astonishing 54 innings. While some may argue that factors such as the use of two new balls, improved bats, favorable batting conditions, and more skilled bowlers contribute to these achievements, it is difficult to deny that this accomplishment stands out statistically, much like the legendary average of 99.94, and is unlikely to be surpassed easily.
As we reminisce about Virat Kohli’s remarkable international career, it’s hard not to feel a sense of cricketing nostalgia. With numerous records waiting to be broken in the coming years, one particular innings stands out—the CB series knock that changed everything.
On that unforgettable night in Hobart, Kohli not only kept his team in the game but also single-handedly lifted a fatigued Indian side out of despair. At the Bellerive Oval, Kohli showcased his extraordinary talent, propelling himself into a league of his own and leaving an indelible mark in cricket history. It was on that night that a true cricketing superstar was born.
IPL through the years
Before the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), Virat Kohli expressed his unwavering loyalty to the Bangalore-based Royal Challengers franchise. He even mentioned the possibility of ending his career with them, showcasing his deep faith in the team. Kohli holds a unique distinction of being the only player to have remained with a single franchise throughout the entire duration of the tournament since its inception in 2008. Over the years, he has developed a strong bond with both the franchise and its fans, creating a special connection.
Kohli’s journey in the franchise since joining as a young emerging player in 2008 has been remarkable. He had the opportunity to learn from experienced players like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, and later found his footing under the guidance of Daniel Vettori.
Initially, it wasn’t an easy start for Virat Kohli, as the team itself was struggling to find its rhythm in the tournament. It was understandable that a young player like him faced challenges during that time. However, after learning the ropes in the first three-year cycle, it became evident why he was the only player retained in 2011. From that point, Kohli entered a purple patch in his career, proving that it wasn’t just a temporary phase but a flourishing career. He soon established himself as the best in all formats of the game, excelling not only in white-ball cricket but also in the red-ball version.
When Virat Kohli was given the opportunity to captain the Bangalore franchise permanently in 2012, it was an obvious choice considering his abilities. This responsibility also brought about greater consistency in his batting performances. As runs continued to flow from his bat, Kohli quickly became a beloved figure among fans. In fact, he went on to become the highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL.
In 2016, as both the captain of India and RCB, Virat Kohli had an exceptional season, smashing a record-breaking 973 runs, the highest ever achieved by any player in a single edition of the game. This remarkable feat included four centuries, the most by any batsman in a single IPL season. However, despite these impressive individual achievements, Kohli and the Bangalore franchise have yet to secure a title triumph, a goal they have been eagerly awaiting as of March 2023.
Also Read : Virat Kohli & TATA IPL 2023 Players List
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