Virat Kohli PDF
Virat Kohli PDF
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Hindi pronunciation: [ʋɪˈɾɑːʈ ˈkoːɦli] ;
Virat Kohli
born 5 November 1988) is an Indian international
cricketer and the former captain of the Indian
national cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman
and an oc unorthodox right arm quick bowler.
He currently represents Royal Challengers
Bengaluru in the IPL and Delhi in domestic cricket.
He holds the record as the highest run-scorer in IPL,
ranks third in T20I, third in ODI, and stands as the
fourth-highest in international cricket.[4] He also
holds the record for scoring the most centuries in
ODI cricket and stands second in the list of most
international centuries scored. Hence, Kohli is
widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all
time and the modern era. Kohli was a key member of
Kohli in 2023 vs Australia
the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World
Cup, 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and captained Personal information
India to win the ICC Test mace three consecutive Born 5 November 1988
times in 2017, 2018, and 2019.[5] Delhi, India
Nickname Cheeku[a]
In 2013, Kohli was ranked number one in the ICC
King Kohli[2]
rankings for ODI batsmen. In 2015, he achieved the
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)[3]
summit of T20I rankings.[6] In 2018, he was ranked
top Test batsman, making him the only Indian Batting Right-handed
cricketer to hold the number one spot in all three Bowling Right-arm medium
formats of the game. He is the first player to score Role Top-order batter
20,000 runs in a decade. In 2020, the International
Relations Anushka Sharma (wife)
Cricket Council named him the male cricketer of the
(m. 2017)
decade.[7]
Website viratkohli.foundation (https://
He has received many accolades for his viratkohli.foundation)
performances in cricket. He won the ICC ODI Player International information
of the Year award four times in 2012, 2017, 2018,
National side India (2008–present)
and 2023. He also won the Sir Garfield Sobers
Trophy, given to the ICC Cricketer of the Year, on Test debut 20 June 2011 v West Indies
two occasions, in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In (cap 269)
2018, he became the first player to win both ICC ODI Last Test 4 January 2024 v South
and Test Player of the Year awards in the same year. Africa
Also, he was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in ODI debut 18 August 2008 v Sri Lanka
the World for three consecutive years, from 2016 to (cap 175)
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2018. At the national level, Kohli was honoured with Last ODI 19 November
the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2017, 2023 v Australia
and India's highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna ODI shirt no. 18
award, in 2018.
T20I debut (cap 31) 12 June 2010 v Zimbabwe
In 2018, Time magazine included him on its list of Last T20I 24 June 2024 v Australia
the 100 most influential people in the world. T20I shirt no. 18
Domestic team information
Early life Years Team
2006–present Delhi
Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi
into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Nath 2008–present Royal Challengers
Kohli, worked as a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Bengaluru
Saroj Kohli, served as a housewife. He has an older Career statistics
brother, Vikas, and an older sister, Bhawna.[8] Competition Test ODI FC LA
Kohli's formative years were spent in Uttam Nagar.
Matches 113 292 145 326
He commenced his early education at Vishal Bharti
Runs scored 8,848 13,848 11097 15290
Public School.[9] According to his family, Kohli
exhibited an early affinity for cricket as a three-year- Batting average 49.15 58.67 50.21 57.48
old. He would pick up a cricket bat and request his 100s/50s 29/30 50/72 36/38 54/80
father to bowl to him.[10] Top score 254* 183 254* 183
Balls bowled 175 662 643 726
In 1998, the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA)
was created. On 30 May of that year, Prem Nath Wickets 0 5 3 5
Kohli, who'd espoused his younger son's fervour for Bowling average – 136.00 112.66 148.20
cricket, assisted nine-year-old Kohli's aspirations 5 wickets in innings – 0 0 0
and arranged for him to meet Rajkumar Sharma.[11] 10 wickets in match – 0 0 0
Upon the suggestion of their neighbours, Kohli's
Best bowling – 1/13 1/19 1/13
father considered enrolling his son in a professional
Catches/stumpings 111/– 151/– 142/– 169/–
cricket academy, as they believed that his cricketing
abilities merited more than just playing in gully Medal record [hide]
cricket.[12] Despite his abilities, he faced the setback Men's Cricket
of being unable to secure a place in the under-14 Representing India
Delhi team, supposedly due to extraneous factors.
ICC Cricket World Cup
Prem Kohli reportedly received offers to relocate his
son to influential clubs, which would have ensured Winner 2011 India-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka
his selection, but he declined the proposals. Kohli Runner-up 2023 India
eventually found his way into the under-15 Delhi ICC Champions Trophy
team.[13] He received training at the academy while Winner 2013 England and Wales
simultaneously participating in matches at the Runner-up 2017 England and Wales
Sumeet Dogra Academy located at Vasundhara
ICC T20 World Cup
Enclave.[14] In pursuit of furthering his cricketing
career, he transitioned to Saviour Convent School Runner-up 2014 Bangladesh
On 18 December 2006, Kohli experienced the loss of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup
his father due to a cerebral attack.[12][15] During his Winner 2008 Malaysia
childhood, his father played a crucial role in ACC Asia Cup
supporting his cricket training. Kohli has credited his
Winner 2010 Sri Lanka
father as the one who drove him to practice every
day. He has expressed his feelings of missing his Winner 2016 Bangladesh
Career
Player profile
In a discourse with the prominent Bollywood actor Salman Khan, Tendulkar proclaimed that Kohli
possesses the potential to surpass his record of 100 international centuries. Tendulkar also
acknowledged Kohli's batting aptitudes and the steadfastness with which he has accumulated runs.[27]
In 2013, Tendulkar retired from international cricket, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket.
Kohli, who played alongside Tendulkar in the team, honoured him by presenting him with a sacred
thread that had been gifted to him by his late father. Tendulkar eventually returned the thread to him,
imploring that it should remain in his possession.[28]
Playing style
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Kohli is considered as an enterprising batsman, possessing technical abilities and a dynamic playing
demeanour.[29][30] His customarily batting position in ODl cricket is at number three, with a slightly
open-chested stance,[31] and a resolute grip on the bottom handle of his bat. He has been noted for his
agile footwork, expansive range of strokes, and his propensity for adeptly orchestrating innings whilst
thriving in high-pressure situations.[32][33] In his batting technique, Kohli tends to favour playing
grounded shots rather than attempting big hits. He is appreciated for his ability to execute wrist shots
and his consistent prowess in the mid-wicket and cover region.[34][35]
Kohli has often expressed his admiration for the cover drive,
which he considers to be his signature stroke. He possesses a
natural aptitude for the flick shot, particularly when facing
deliveries aimed towards leg stump.[10] Having a limited recourse
to the sweep shot, Kohli's batting technique is characterized by an
emphasis on ground shots that primarily yield runs in the regions
between deep square leg and mid-on.[36] Kohli is known for his
composed batting technique and versatility in his play. He scores
runs between long-off and long-on with an aligned bat, while also
possessing the ability to display a destructive streak. His
combination of bat-speed and supple wrist movements enable him
to craft innovative angles that disrupt traditional field
Kohli playing his famous flick shot at
positioning.[37] Kohli is also a proficient fielder, recognized for his the 2015 Cricket World Cup
quick reflexes and sure-handedness.[38]
However, Kohli has a known vulnerability to deliveries that are wide of the off-stump.[39] Bowlers
often exploit this weakness by targeting him with such deliveries, especially in Test and ODl
matches.[40] This vulnerability has resulted in Kohli's dismissal on numerous occasions.[41][42] Cricket
experts such as VVS Laxman and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar have acknowledged this
weakness,[43][44] and former New Zealand cricketer Richard Hadlee has also noted that Kohli is
particularly susceptible to out-swinging deliveries.[45]
Kohli has garnered widespread acclaim and recognition as a preeminent limited-overs batsman by
cricketing experts and aficionados alike.[46][47] In ODIs, he boasts an average of 65.5 runs when
batting second and 51.7 runs when batting first.[48] He has amassed 27 of his 50 ODI hundreds in run-
chases,[49] and holds the record for the most hundreds scored when batting second.[50] In reference to
his success while batting second, Kohli has expressed a fondness for the challenge of chasing, relishing
the opportunity to test himself and demonstrate his ability to efficiently manage strike rotation and
execute boundary hits.[51] His colleagues admire his self-assurance, dedication, concentration, and
work ethic, which are the driving forces behind his success.[52][53]
Aggression
Kohli's playing style is widely regarded as aggressive, a trait that extends to his leadership on the field.
He is well known for his passionate and animated responses to on-field situations, demonstrating a
fierce competitiveness.[54][55] His captaincy is characterized as proactive, taking bold decisions and
leading the team by example.[56] Kohli has been the subject of much media scrutiny and criticism in
the early stages of his career. He was often portrayed as a brash and arrogant individual, eliciting
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mixed reactions from fans, critics and former cricketers alike.[57][58] While some have praised his
assertiveness and confidence,[59][60] others have criticized Kohli's behaviour for crossing the
boundaries of fair play and for losing control, sometimes resulting in a loss of composure.[61] Despite
his efforts to curb his aggressive behaviour, Kohli has acknowledged that there are times when intense
pressure or high-stakes situations may challenge his resolve. Nevertheless, the cricketer has
persistently maintained that his aggression acts as a source of inspiration and drives his focus and
motivation on the field.[62] Writing for The New York Times, Huw Richards noted Kohli's self-
assuredness and "assertiveness" in contrast to some former Indian cricketers who he felt had
exhibited an inclination towards excessive politeness and reticence, and that Kohli embodies his
combative demeanour both on and off the cricket field.[63]
Kohli has gained international acclaim for his athletic achievements and widespread popularity,
earning a prominent place among the world's most renowned athletes, as per ESPN.[71][72] In 2014,
American Appraisal conducted an evaluation of Kohli's brand value and determined it to be $56.4
million, placing him fourth on the list of India's most valued celebrity brands.[73] The following two
years saw Kohli's brand value soar higher. As per a report published in October 2016 by Duff &
Phelps, Kohli's brand worth had increased to $92 million, second only to that of Bollywood actor Shah
Rukh Khan.[74] In 2017, Kohli was recognized by Forbes as the seventh "Most Valuable Brand among
Athletes", surpassing renowned sports figures such as Lionel Messi, Rory McIlroy, and Stephen Curry,
with a brand estimation of $14.5 million.[75] By September of the same year, Kohli had amassed
endorsement agreements with 17 distinct brands, and he announced that he would only endorse
products that he personally uses and believes in.[76] The following year, he was featured on Time
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magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[77] In
2019, Kohli was the only cricketer included in Forbes' list of "World's 100
Highest-Paid Athletes". He was ranked 100th on the list, with earnings
estimated at $25 million, with $21 million being procured through
endorsements, and the remainder from salary and tournament winnings.[78]
Furthermore, in March 2019, Kohli was named the brand ambassador of the
mobile esports platform, Mobile Premier League.[79] Kohli's earning potential
continued to climb, and in 2020, he attained the 66th spot in Forbes
compilation of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world for the year 2020,
with estimated earnings exceeding $26 million.[80] In April 2021, Vivo
appointed Kohli as their brand ambassador ahead of the Indian Premier
League.[81] Virat Kohli's signed
bat at Blades of
In 2012, Kohli was recognized as one of the best-dressed men by the fashion Glory Cricket
magazine GQ, appearing on their annual list alongside prominent figures such Museum, Pune
as Barack Obama.[82] Six years later, in 2018, a documentary highlighting
Kohli's cricketing career was released on National Geographic channel. The
film aimed to celebrate his accomplishments in the sport.[83] The following year, on the eve of the
2019 Cricket World Cup a tribute was bestowed upon Kohli. Madame Tussauds renowned for their
lifelike wax figures, unveiled an exquisite creation of Kohli in London.[84] Continuing the string of
accolades, in 2019, on the eleventh anniversary of his international debut, Kohli was honoured with a
stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi, making him the youngest cricketer
to receive such a recognition.[85] In November of the same year, an Indian animated superhero
television series entitled Super V premiered, featuring a fictionalized portrayal of Kohli's teenage
years and his discovery of superpowers.[86]
Personal life
Kohli's romantic association with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, which
commenced in 2013, earned the duo the moniker of "Virushka".[87] During an
interview with Graham Bensinger, Kohli divulged that he had encountered
Sharma for the first time, when they were both were engaged in a
promotional shoot for Clear shampoo.[88] Their union since then has
attracted significant media interest, with persistent rumours and speculations
swirling around in the press, as both parties remained reticent about publicly
discussing the relationship.[89] On 11 December 2017, the couple exchanged
nuptials in an intimate ceremony held in Florence, Italy, becoming one of the
most talked-about celebrity couples in the country.[90] On 11 January 2021,
the couple had their first child, a daughter, who was named Vamika.[91] The
child's name, Vamika, is derived from Sanskrit, meaning "little goddess".[92]
On 15 February 2024, the couple welcomed their second child, a boy named Kohli with wife
Akaay.[93] Anushka Sharma in
their Mumbai reception
In 2018, Kohli disclosed that he had made the decision to adopt a vegetarian
diet in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of a cervical spine issue caused by
elevated levels of uric acid. This condition was impacting his finger movements, and thus, affecting his
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performance as a batsman. He made a conscious effort to abstain from consuming meat, as part of his
regimen for maintaining optimal health.[94] He has since clarified that his dietary choices do not align
with a vegan lifestyle and he continues to consume dairy products.[95] Kohli is widely recognized for
his physical fitness and intense training regimen.[96] He has been an advocate of leading a healthy
lifestyle, which involves regular exercise and a nutritious diet. His hard work and discipline in this
area have earned him the reputation of being one of the fittest cricketers in the world.[97]
Kohli has acknowledged to harbour a belief in superstitions. He has publicly avowed his reliance upon
various lucky charms and rituals that he feels serve to bring him good fortune on the cricket field. One
such tradition involves the donning of black wristbands, which he adheres to as a talismanic tradition.
Additionally, he is known to prefer a particular pair of gloves, which he has consistently worn due to
their supposed propensity to bring him success.[8] Furthermore, Kohli has been observed sporting a
kara, a traditional bangle often worn for religious or spiritual purposes, on his right arm since
2012.[98] In addition to the previously mentioned superstitions, Kohli has also established the ritual of
consistently donning white shoes on the cricket field.[99] Kohli has tattoos of the revered Hindu deity
Lord Shiva, the sacred syllable "Om", the names of his parents, Prem and Saroj, a tribal emblem, a
representation of a serene monastery, a samurai warrior, the astrological symbol of the scorpion, and
his ODl and Test match cap numbers.[100][101]
Outside cricket
Commercial investments
Kohli invested in Indian Super League club FC Goa, which he co-owned
as of 2024, reflects his ambition to support and cultivate the growth of
football in India. Beyond the realm of cricket, this venture served as a
future business opportunity for him, as he sought to diversify his
portfolio after retirement from the sport.[102] In November 2014, Kohli
partnered with Anjana Reddy's Universal Sportsbiz (USPL) to launch the
youth fashion brand WROGN. The brand specialized in men's casual
wear clothing and entered into collaborations with prominent retail
outlets such as Myntra and Shopper's Stop.[103] Additionally, in late
2014, Kohli became a shareholder and brand ambassador for the
London-based social networking venture "Sport Convo". His involvement
Kohli at the opening
ceremony of the Pro
aimed to promote and raise awareness of the platform, which was
Kabaddi League in June focused on providing a space for sports fans to connect and engage with
2016 one another.[104]
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related investments by becoming a co-owner of the International Premier Tennis League franchise,
UAE Royals.[106] In quick succession, he also became a co-owner of the JSW-owned Bengaluru
Yodhas franchise in the Pro Wrestling League.[107]
In the year 2016, Kohli embarked on a new venture, which aimed to promote fitness among children.
He joined forces with Stepathlon Lifestyle to launch Stepathlon Kids. The initiative aimed to
encourage young individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and inculcate the love for physical
activity.[108]
In 2017, Kohli entered into a partnership with the German sportswear brand, Puma, to launch his
athletic lifestyle brand, One8. This brand offers a range of sport-related apparel, footwear, and
accessories designed for active individuals.[109] That same year, Kohli also established Nueva, a fine
dining establishment located in New Delhi. The restaurant features a South American-inspired decor
accentuated with Native American artwork, providing a distinctive culinary setting.[110] Kohli also
established One8 Commune, a chain of restaurant-bars that offer a modern and sophisticated
ambiance that appeals to a diverse age range. This marked his inaugural foray into the food and
beverage industry. The first outlet of this restaurant was launched in 2017.[111]
In 2022, Kohli and his spouse made an investment of ₹2.5 crore (equivalent to ₹2.9 crore or
US$350,000 in 2023) in Digit, an insurance-based startup.[112] Additionally, they also extended their
support to Blue Tribe, a startup that specializes in the production and distribution of plant-based
meat products. Driven by his own inclination towards a plant-based diet, Kohli aims to raise
awareness and encourage individuals to adopt more sustainable and environmentally conscious
practices.[113]
Philanthropy
In 2013, Kohli established the "Virat Kohli Foundation" with a
philanthropic objective to support underprivileged children.[114]
The foundation collaborates with a selected group of NGOs to
increase awareness and gather support for various causes that are
instrumental in advancing their mission of promoting the welfare
and well-being of these children.[115][116] In 2014, the foundation
participated in a charity auction organized by eBay and Save the
Children India, the proceeds of which were directed towards the
Virat Kohli at charity dinner for Smile
education and healthcare of underprivileged children.[117] Kohli Foundation
is dedicated to creating a brighter future for children by
implementing sports-based programs and providing them with
necessary resources, leveraging his connections and partnerships to uplift marginalized segments of
society.[118]
Kohli's foundation has organized several charity events to raise funds for its causes, including football
matches featuring prominent Indian cricketers and Bollywood actors. The first such event was a
celebrity football match in collaboration with Abhishek Bachchan's charity foundation, which drew
significant media attention and was successful in raising funds.[119] In this match, Kohli captained the
All Hearts FC against the All Stars FC, led by Abhishek Bachchan.[120] Another charity football match,
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dubbed the "Celebrity Clasico", was held in June 2016 in Mumbai, with Kohli once again leading the
All Hearts FC against the All Stars FC, captained by Ranbir Kapoor. This event was also a major
success in generating funds for charitable causes.[121]
In 2016, the Virat Kohli Foundation entered into a partnership with Smile Foundation to promote the
empowerment of underprivileged children and young people. To kickstart this initiative, Kohli
organized a philanthropic dinner at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, graced by the presence of cricketing
luminaries such as MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, and KL Rahul to
support the cause of child and youth empowerment.[122] To advance the goals of the Swachh Bharat
Mission (SBM), which aims at creating a cleaner India, Kohli and the Indian cricket team, in
collaboration with Anurag Thakur, undertook a cleaning initiative at the Eden Gardens on the
occasion of Gandhi Jayanti of 2016.[123]
Prior to a match against Sri Lanka in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Kohli hosted a benevolent gala
event in London in support of the Justice and Care organization. The ball was arranged with the
objective of increasing both funds and awareness for the humanitarian cause championed by Justice
and Care. The organization endeavors to combat the pernicious issues of human trafficking and
contemporary slavery.[124] In 2017, Kohli established the Athlete Development Programme (ADP) as a
platform for nurturing and supporting aspiring young athletes. This initiative provides comprehensive
guidance to these young athletes in areas such as coaching, training, fitness, competition, and
nutrition, thereby fostering their growth and development. The program has proven beneficial to
several young sports persons, including tennis player Swastika Ghosh and golfer Aadil Bedi.[125]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma pledged
donations to the PM CARES Fund and the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund.[126] The couple has a strong
passion for animal welfare and have made personal contributions towards wildlife relief efforts.
Through his support of Awaaz, Kohli seeks to provide comprehensive medical services, shelter, and
sustenance to stray animals.[127]
Career summary
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Kohli has made 80 centuries which includes 7 double centuries in international cricket—29 centuries
including 7 double centuries in Test cricket, 50 centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs) surpassing
the record of Sachin Tendulkar, and 1 century in T20I.[128]
An innings-by-innings breakdown of Kohli's Test batting career, showing runs scored (blue and red (not out)
bars) and the black line is his career batting average.
An innings-by-innings breakdown of Kohli's ODI batting career, showing runs scored (blue and red (not out)
bars) and the black line is his career batting average.
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