Virat Kohli: A Cricketing Icon , Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, is one of the most celebrated and accomplished cricketers of his generation. Known for his aggressive batting style, remarkable consistency, and leadership qualities, Kohli has made a significant impact on the game of cricket.
Early Life and Beginnings
Virat Kohli grew up in a cricket-loving family and showed an early aptitude for the sport. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. Kohli’s cricketing journey began in the streets of Delhi, where he honed his skills with his neighborhood friends. His talent was evident from a young age, and he soon began representing Delhi at various junior levels.
Domestic Cricket
Virat Kohli made his debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in 2006. His performances in domestic cricket, particularly his aggressive and consistent batting, quickly brought him into the spotlight. His pivotal role in Delhi’s 2007-08 Ranji Trophy victory showcased his potential and solidified his place in the national team.
International Debut
Virat Kohli’s international career began in August 2008:
- ODI Debut: Against Sri Lanka.
- Test Debut: Against the West Indies.
His early performances were promising, and it wasn’t long before he established himself as a key player for the Indian team.
Rise to Stardom
Virat Kohli’s rise to prominence was marked by his exceptional performances across all formats of the game. Known for his aggressive batting and ability to chase down daunting targets, Kohli became a crucial player in India’s batting lineup. He quickly amassed centuries and set numerous records, becoming one of the leading run-scorers in ODIs and Tests.
Captaincy
Virat Kohli’s leadership skills came to the fore when he was appointed captain of the Indian ODI team in 2013, succeeding Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Under his captaincy, India achieved several significant victories, including:
Historic ODI Series Win in Australia:
Kohli led India to a memorable series win in Australia, a feat that was celebrated across the cricketing world.
In 2014, Kohli took over as Test captain and led the team with distinction. His tenure was marked by:
Test Series Win in Australia (2018-19):
Under his leadership, India secured a historic Test series victory in Australia, a significant achievement in Indian cricket.
Kohli also captained the Indian team in T20 Internationals, leading them to notable successes in various T20 tournaments.
Awards and Honors
Virat Kohli’s remarkable performances and contributions to cricket have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including:
ICC Awards:
Virat Kohli has been named ICC ODI Player of the Year and ICC Test Player of the Year multiple times.
Padma Shri:
In 2017, he was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, recognizing his achievements in sports.
Personal Life
In December 2017,Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Italy. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika, on January 11, 2021. Kohli and Sharma are known for their philanthropic efforts and active involvement in various charitable causes.
Style of Play and Strengths
Virat Kohli is renowned for his:
Aggressive Batting Style:
Kohli’s aggressive approach and dominance at the crease make him a formidable opponent. He excels in all formats, consistently scoring runs and making crucial contributions.
Exceptional Fitness:
His commitment to fitness and training has set new standards in Indian cricket, enhancing his performance on the field.
Retirement and Future
In September 2021, Kohli stepped down as captain of the T20I team and later relinquished the ODI captaincy as well. Despite these changes, he remains a vital player for the Indian cricket team, continuing to be a key figure in international cricket.
Legacy
Virat Kohli’s impact on cricket is profound. His extraordinary talent, leadership qualities, and dedication to the game have cemented his place as one of cricket’s greatest players. Kohli’s career continues to inspire millions of fans and aspiring cricketers around the world, and his legacy is one of excellence, passion, and commitment to the sport.
Virat Kohli’s career has been marked by extraordinary achievements, and he remains one of the most influential figures in the world of cricket. His contributions to the game have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket and the sport globally.
As of August 2024, Virat Kohli has scored 50 centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Here is a summary of his ODI centuries:
Here’s a list of all the centuries scored by Virat Kohli in One Day Internationals (ODIs), updated as of August 2024:
- Century 1: 107 vs Sri Lanka, Kolkata, 24 December 2009
- Century 2: 102* vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 11 January 2010
- Century 3: 118 vs Australia, Visakhapatnam, 20 October 2010
- Century 4: 105 vs New Zealand, Guwahati, 28 November 2010
- Century 5: 100* vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 19 February 2011
- Century 6: 107 vs England, Cardiff, 16 September 2011
- Century 7: 112* vs England, Delhi, 17 October 2011
- Century 8: 117 vs West Indies, Visakhapatnam, 2 December 2011
- Century 9: 133* vs Sri Lanka, Hobart, 28 February 2012
- Century 10: 108 vs Sri Lanka, Dhaka, 13 March 2012
- Century 11: 183 vs Pakistan, Dhaka, 18 March 2012
- Century 12: 106 vs Sri Lanka, Hambantota, 21 July 2012
- Century 13: 128* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 31 July 2012
- Century 14: 102 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 5 July 2013
- Century 15: 115* vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 24 July 2013
- Century 16: 100* vs Australia, Jaipur, 16 October 2013
- Century 17: 115 vs Australia, Nagpur, 30 October 2013
- Century 18: 123 vs New Zealand, Napier, 19 January 2014
- Century 19: 136 vs Bangladesh, Fatullah, 26 February 2014
- Century 20: 127 vs West Indies, Dharamsala, 17 October 2014
- Century 21: 139* vs Sri Lanka, Ranchi, 16 November 2014
- Century 22: 107 vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 15 February 2015
- Century 23: 138 vs South Africa, Chennai, 22 October 2015
- Century 24: 117 vs Australia, Melbourne, 17 January 2016
- Century 25: 106 vs Australia, Canberra, 20 January 2016
- Century 26: 154* vs New Zealand, Mohali, 23 October 2016
- Century 27: 122 vs England, Pune, 15 January 2017
- Century 28: 111* vs West Indies, Kingston, 6 July 2017
- Century 29: 131 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 31 August 2017
- Century 30: 110* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 3 September 2017
- Century 31: 121 vs New Zealand, Mumbai, 22 October 2017
- Century 32: 113 vs New Zealand, Kanpur, 29 October 2017
- Century 33: 112 vs South Africa, Durban, 1 February 2018
- Century 34: 160* vs South Africa, Cape Town, 7 February 2018
- Century 35: 129* vs South Africa, Centurion, 16 February 2018
- Century 36: 140 vs West Indies, Guwahati, 21 October 2018
- Century 37: 157* vs West Indies, Visakhapatnam, 24 October 2018
- Century 38: 107 vs West Indies, Pune, 27 October 2018
- Century 39: 104* vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 14 August 2019
- Century 40: 116* vs Australia, Adelaide, 15 January 2019
- Century 41: 123 vs Australia, Ranchi, 8 March 2019
- Century 42: 120 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 11 August 2019
- Century 43: 114* vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 14 August 2019
- Century 44: 113 vs Bangladesh, Chattogram on 10/12/2022
- Century 45: 113 vs Sri Lanka, Guwahati on 10/01/2023
- Century 46: 166 vs Sri Lanka, Thiruvananthapuram on 15/01/2023
- Century 47: 122 vs Pakistan, Colombo on 10/09/2023
- Century 48: 103* vs Bangladesh, Pune on 19/10/2023
- Century 49: 101 vs South Africa, Kolkata on 5/11/2023
