Virat Kohli, the epitome of modern cricket, has left an indelible mark on the sport with his remarkable batting prowess, unyielding determination, and unmatched consistency. Virat is often hailed as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation, his meteoric rise to fame and his staggering achievements have solidified his place in the annals of history.
Let’s dive into the extraordinary journey of King Kohli, tracing his evolution from a young prodigy from New Delhi to a world-class batsman and inspirational leader.
Virat Kohli – Early Life
King Kohli, as he is often called by his fans all over the world was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi to Saroj Kohli (housewife) and Prem Kohli (Criminal lawyer), Virat Kohli’s tryst with cricket began at a tender age and seeing his development and urge, his father enrolled him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy and it was during this period that his father took him to Rajkumar Sharma who was a former Ranji Player and a cricket coach.
Cheeku as he’s called by his close ones owing to his chubby cheeks, displayed remarkable talent and commitment and in a rapid course of time, made his way into the Delhi Ranji team. It was during this time that tragedy struck him and his father passed away. However, Kohli, who was playing for his side in a Ranji match, completed his innings, took his team over the line and then only returned for his father’s last rites.
Kohli’s skills, ability, leadership, and determination caught the eye of the national selectors and they enrolled him in the Indian cricket under-19 team. He captained the victorious Indian Under-19 team in the 2008 World Cup and was already knocking doors of the national team. His scintillating performances caught the attention of selectors and paved the way for his entry into international cricket and debuted against Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli – The Breathtaking Batting Brilliance
In his debut match, Kohli couldn’t make an impact as he was out for 12, however, in his fourth match, he scored his first fifty. At that point in time, the Indian team already had players such as Virender Sehwag, and Sachin Tendulkar at the top order and Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir were also there to take the role of the openers, so Kohli had to wait to cement his place, however, he made full use of the meager opportunities he received.
Kohli played a few scintillating knocks for India Emerging Players, but it was after mid-2009 that he started receiving ample opportunities as senior players like Sachin and Yuvraj were ruled out due to injuries. Kolhi scored his first century and batter alongside Gautam Gambhir to bail out India and won the match. This was his first of the many centuries who would score in the future. Gambhir even, shared his man of the match along with Kolhi as it was Kohli’s first century.
Virat Kohli – #1 Century
Kohli’s batting technique and aggressive style quickly became his trademark. With a sound technique and an insatiable hunger for runs, he rapidly established himself as a run-scoring machine across all formats of the game. His elegant stroke play, impeccable timing, and ability to chase down monumental targets set him apart from his contemporaries. Along with the runs and his gameplay, Virat Kohli was also known for his aggressive mindset, giving it back to the players and playing a pivotal role in India’s aggressive approach towards the Australian and the English teams. It was during Virat Kohli’s regime that other teams started taking the men in blue seriously and avoided messing with them.
Also read: Virat Kohli Notches up 29th Century; India Solid on Day 2 Against Windies
Fan’s Favourite and Linkups with Actresses
Fans started keeping note of Virat Kohli’s flamboyant attitude, swag, and style he became a poster boy in India. He started getting TV ads and his popularity sore to greater heights. He became a popular face of advertisements and surpassed his contemporary teammates in getting the most number of ads and proved his mettle in acting as well. He became a face for brands such as Fastrack, Perk, Flying Machine, TVS Sports, etc. It was during this time his name got linked with actresses such as Sarah Jane Dias.
Life partner Anushka Sharma
In one such instance, he met actress Anushka Sharma on the sets of an ad shoot for “Head and Shoulders” and both fell in love with each other. The pair became famous and they both starred in various ads with “Manyavar and Mohey” making them a household pair. They both got married and have a daughter named Vamika. Anushka often seeing cheers Virat from the stands and he reciprocates the same by kissing his engagement ring while scoring tons and dedicating his innings to his beloved wife. They both together make a power couple. Collaboratively the couple’s net worth is over a thousand crores.
King Kohli Master of the Chase
One aspect that defines Kohli’s batting genius is his unparalleled mastery in chasing down targets, be it his 133 against Sri Lanka, where he took Lasith Malinga to every corner of the ground or his numerous knocks where he made chasing 300+, 350+ targets seem a cake walk. He possesses an extraordinary knack for assessing run chases and pacing his innings to perfection. Virat Kohli’s countless match-winning knocks under pressure earned him a reputation as the ultimate finisher in modern cricket.
The Run Machine Virat Kohli
Kohli’s run-scoring spree shattered records and captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Fans and Critics often compared him with Sachin Tendulkar as he kept on breaking the Master Blaster’s records. From becoming the fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 ODI runs to consistently topping the rankings across formats. He topped the batting rankings in ODI and Test and ruled it for a long period of time.
Kohli has redefined the art of batting. With an array of breathtaking shots, he has amassed an astonishing number of centuries and continues to set new milestones with each inning.
Leadership and Captaincy
Virat Kohli’s leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed captain of the Indian cricket team in 2017, succeeding the legendary MS Dhoni. Under his captaincy, India achieved numerous successes, including historic Test series wins overseas and dominating performances in limited-overs cricket. Kohli’s aggressive and fearless approach to captaincy has instilled a winning mentality in the team and inspired the younger generation. It was during his time that the Indian test team won the most number of matches and also topped its performance in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), which was not a common feat back then.
The Pursuit of Excellence
Kohli’s relentless pursuit of excellence extends beyond the cricket field. His dedication to fitness and discipline has set new standards for professional athletes. Kohli’s unwavering commitment to his craft, rigorous training routines, and emphasis on mental fortitude have played a significant role in his consistent performances and longevity in the sport.
Kohli Off the Field
Beyond his cricketing achievements, Kohli is known for his philanthropic endeavors and advocacy for social causes. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as child welfare, education, and the environment. Kohli’s commitment to making a positive impact off the field further enhances his status as a role model and a true ambassador of the game.
Virat Kohli’s Car Collection and Properties
Virat had a love for cars and at the start of his career, he had a garage full of luxury cars. However, in the recent past, he has admitted to his craze and called some of his car purchases impulsive decisions. He owned a Renault Duster which he won as his first Player of the Series award, he had a Toyota Fortuner given to him by Toyota as he was their brand ambassador for Toyota Etios Liva. He was also the brand ambassador of Audi and owned a lot of Audi cars right including the Audi R8 which he was often seen driving, Audi RS7, and also a Land Rover Vogue.
Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore
It was in 2008 when Virat Kohli was drafted into Royal Challengers Bangalore during the inaugural Indian Premier League and since then he is the only Indian player to be associated with a single IPL team. Despite his giving his best performance in each season of the IPL for RCB, his team hasn’t been able to win the IPL title. But this doesn’t keep away the fans from cheering for their favorite team as RCB has the most loyal fan army. Virat’s performance in IPL is another story in itself.
He is the highest run maker in IPL and is among the few captains to lead their team to the most number of matches. As a captain, he has also scored the most number of centuries in IPL out of which 4 of them came in a single season in 2016, which is also a record. He also holds the record for scoring the most number of runs in a single IPL season, which is 972.
Virat Kohli – The Brand
Virat Kohli’s journey from a young and talented cricketer to a legend of the sport has captivated cricket fans around the world. His unparalleled batting skills, unwavering determination, and exceptional leadership qualities have established him as a modern-day icon. Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket and the global cricketing fraternity are immeasurable.
As he continues to evolve as a player and leader, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the remarkable career of Virat Kohli. His unwavering commitment to excellence and his passion for the game will forever inspire future generations of cricketers to aim higher and push boundaries.
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